• Conventions are mostly forcing as they are ALERTS.
  • Exception to the rule is interference by opponents when a few conventions like Cappellette can be passed.

• Opening bid is always non forcing. Except when Strong Club convention (2!C) is used, which is forcing.

• Responding 1^st bids are always forcing except under following situations:
  • FIT is found in Majors – 1!H:2!H, 1!S:3!S (Invitations too, are non forcing)
  • Opener bids a minor and responder bids 1NT showing 6-9 HCP weak non forcing hand.
  • Opener bids a minor and responder bids 3 of the minor in uncontested auction. Convention Inverted Minor Raises shows 3!C/3!D over 1!C/1!D as weak and hence non forcing.
  • Interference by advancer makes the responder bid non forcing.

• Opener’s 2^nd natural bid is non forcing except
  • when Reverse is used which is forcing.
  • A new suit is opened over responder’s forcing bid.
  • Support Double and Cue Bids are forcing.

• Responder’s 2^nd bid is mostly forcing some notable exceptions are as follows:
  • Rebid of the same suit as in 1^st bid is non forcing.
  • 1NT minimum or 2NT invite is non forcing.
  • Weak 5+ Minors, via 3!C/3!D jump bid, is non forcing.
  • Bidding 1^st or 2^nd suit of opener is non forcing.
  • If the 1^st bid of responder is 1NT or opener’s 2^nd bid is 1NT/2NT, new suit bid by responder as 2^nd bid, is non forcing.

West	North	East	South
1!s	pass	1NT	pass
2!h	pass	3!c

3!C here is non forcing even though it is a new suit. Reason being 1NT 1^st bid as already shown his point range between 6-11 HCP.

• Takeout double is forcing at lower levels – which means if 1!c to 1!s is doubled by overcaller then advancer must bid. except
  • when opponent interferes then it is passable.
  • Double over strong 1NT is non forcing
  • Double over Weak 2 bids are non forcing
  • BBO robots treat all takeout doubles till 4!h as forcing and post 4!s will be penalty double