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Two Way Checkback


After a 1NT response in a strong-NT system, showing a basic 12-14 hcp hand, responder often needs to garner more information from opener before setting the contract. The Two-way checkback system provides a simple and effective means to achieve this goal.

Basic Structure

After the 1NT rebid, the artificial 2C bid forces opener to bid 2D (a relay), and allows responder to start hand description. The 2C is forcing up to at least 2NT. The reason for the relay is described later. Responder will typically have 10+hcp for this sequence, but does not promise this.

The artificial 2D bid by responder forces the partnership to game, and both partners then are able to describe their hands before setting the contract.

Any bid other than 2C or 2D by responder is a weak signoff. Herein lies the first and obvious advantage of playing checkback - the responder can sign off cheaply at the two level without opener wondering whether he should continue bidding or not. For example, the sequence 1H-1S:1NT-2S:P. Nothing more to say. Responder may well have a weak hand with only two spades.

2 Diamonds

The 2D response to the 1NT rebid forces the partnership to game at a minimum. Both partners have the opportunity to describe their hands in comfort without the need for jump bids. Opener may well have a four card spade suit that was hidden in the 1NT rebid (the modern style is to rebid 1NT with all 12-14hcp hands), and this will be exposed during the bidding after the 2D Game Force.

2 Clubs

Two-way checkback allows the partnership to reach a minor suit contract with a weak responder’s hand in addition to allowing responder to explore options with an invitational hand. The mechanism is as follows:

  • If responder has an invitational hand, he bids 2C* which forces opener to bid 2D*, after which responder continues bidding
  • If responder has a weak hand and wishes to bail out in diamonds, he bids 2C*, opener relays 2D*, and responder simply passes.
  • If responder has a weak hand and wishes to play in clubs, he bids 2NT* which forces opener to relay to 3C*, and responder passes
  • As a result, the sequence 1D-1H:1NT-2NT does NOT show an invitational 2NT by responder, as it is a relay to 3C. Instead, responder should bid 2C first, showing an invitational hand, opener relays to 2D, and only then responder bids 2NT, i.e. 1D-1H:1NT-2C*:2D*-2NT.

 

Modern approach

As a side note: all 12-14hcp hands will rebid 1NT, including those that contain a four card spade suit, for example a 4-1-5-3 hand will open 1D and rebid 1NT over partner’s 1H response. If the contract subsides in 1NT, a possible eight card spade suit plays well in 1NT, but if responder has enough values to checkback, the 4-4 fit in spades will be exposed. The advantages of rebidding 1NT with all 12-14 hands except the most shapely ones which have higher high-card value anyway far outweigh the disadvantage (if any) of playing 1NT with an eight card spade fit occasionally. (The advantage being that failure to rebid 1NT shows a bigger hand).

  • 1D-1H:1NT shows 12-14
  • 1D-1H:2C shows 15-18 (failure to rebid 1NT)
  • 1D-1H:3C shows 19+ (next step up)

Hugh Wichmann
3 August 2011