View source for Forcing pass

{{Short description|Game of bridge rule}}
{{For|systems where initial pass denotes a strong hand|Strong pass}}
{{More citations needed|date = March 2011}}
In the card game [[contract bridge|bridge]], a '''forcing pass''' is an agreement or understanding that a pass call obliges the partner to bid, double, or redouble over an intermediate opposing pass, i.e. partner must "keep the bidding open".<ref name="OEB6162">{{OEB|6|162}}</ref>
: ... &ndash; (act) &ndash; '''Pass''' &ndash; (Pass) &ndash; ?
Here "..." represents any beginning to the auction. The forcing pass (bold) necessarily occurs directly over an opposing bid, double, or redouble (act). After a pass over a pass, the auction might end before partner's turn.

In other words, the partnership is committed to act ''somehow'' rather than to end the auction now; that is a precondition. The first, direct, "forcing pass" refers to partner the choice ''how'' to act. There is no commitment to accept partner's choice. Indeed, a forcing pass ensures that the auction will return to the one who issues it, so it may be interpreted as the first half of a two-step action by that player.

Normally double is natural where pass is forcing. That is, double suggests the current denomination and strain, doubled, as a final contract.

"Forcing pass" is also a synonym for [[strong pass]], a conventional pass in first or second position that shows a strong hand and is "a form of opening bid" in effect.<ref name=OEB6162/> Strong pass systems are barred from many competitive events.<ref>http://web2.acbl.org/documentLibrary/about/CONVENTIONCHARTS2_2020.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

== When is pass forcing? ==
Here "... (act)" means any beginning to the auction, followed by an opposing bid, double, or redouble.
:... (act) '''Pass''' (Pass) ?
The opponents may be obliged to keep the bidding open themselves because their action is forcing. Then the forcing pass is a moot point and the concept may be considered inapplicable. When their action is not forcing, on the other hand, partnership understanding whether pass is forcing may be vital. Partners should recognize ''forcing pass situations''.

===Low-level forcing pass===
One family of forcing pass occurs when the partnership auction is already forcing to a particular level and the opponents bid below that level.
:1{{Hearts}} (1{{Spades}}) 2{{Diams}} (2{{Spades}}) '''Pass'''
Commonly 2{{Diams}} is forcing to 2NT. Then pass over opposing 2{{Spades}} is forcing. Here 2{{Diams}} is natural but the same holds over a conventional call that is forcing. If the convention is a bid forcing only to the next step, such as a [[Jacoby transfer]], then pass is forcing only over a double.

... when one opponent doubles or redoubles a conventional takeout and thereby suggests they may defend our chosen strain doubled for penalty.
:(1{{Diams}}) 2{{Diams}} (Dbl) '''Pass'''
Commonly 2{{Diams}} is artificial for takeout, a [[Michaels cuebid]] showing both major suits, and the opposing double suggests that they double the chosen major. Then pass is forcing; it refers the choice of major suit back to the one who bid 2{{Diams}}.

... for the partnership that doubles or redoubles to suggest playing for penalty. 
:1{{Hearts}} (Dbl) Rdbl (2{{Diams}}) '''Pass'''
:1{{Hearts}} (Dbl) Rdbl (Pass) Pass (2{{Diams}}) '''Pass'''
Double is for takeout and redouble shows a strong hand, suggesting that we double their chosen strain. When either opponent does name a strain (here diamonds), a direct pass is forcing. Commonly the forcing pass declines to recommend play for penalty (double would be natural) and waits to see whether partner will double (natural).

===High-level forcing pass===
... when it appears that an opposing bid is a sacrifice.
:1{{Hearts}} (2{{Diams}}) 3{{Diams}} (5{{Diams}}) '''Pass'''
Commonly 3{{Diams}} is a strong raise of hearts and 5{{Diams}} seems to be an advance sacrifice. Then a direct pass is forcing. It declines to recommend playing 5{{Diams}} doubled and thereby suggests bidding at least 5{{Hearts}}.

What is the meaning of a forcing pass followed by 5{{Hearts}} if partner does double?
:1{{Hearts}} (2{{Diams}}) 3{{Diams}} (5{{Diams}}) '''Pass''' (Pass) Dbl (Pass) 5{{Hearts}}
At least following trump suit agreement, as in this case (hearts), there is a common conventional distinction. The latter "pass and pull" 5{{Hearts}} invites slam while a direct 5{{Hearts}} overcall shows no interest in slam.<ref name=OEB6162/>

... after we preempt or sacrifice and they bid higher.(Encyclopedia)
<!-- OEB lists this as one type of forcing pass situation, where forcing pass suggests a sacrifice now. When they have bid a slam, this may be contrasted with the negative slam double and positive slam double. I don't know an example auction where it is common to use this type of forcing pass and OEB does not indicate that this is popular.--P64 -->

==See also==
*[[Forcing bid]]
*[[Strong pass]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* ''Forcing Pass in Contract Bridge'' (1983) by Eddie Kantar. 
* ''25 Ways to Compete in the Bidding'' (2000) by Barbara Seagram and Marc Smith.

==External links==
* [http://www.rpbridge.net/7c86.htm Forcing Pass Finds Best Trump Fit ] by Richard Pavlicek, 1 May 1988.<!--The example is commendable. The situation follows opening 2C and does not quite fit any family yet expressed here.-->
* [http://www.bridgeguys.com/FGlossary/ForcingPass.html BrideGuys website - Forcing Pass] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301205950/http://www.bridgeguys.com/FGlossary/ForcingPass.html |date=2016-03-01 }}
* [http://www.bridgehands.com/F/Forcing_Pass.htm BridgeHands website - Forcing Pass]

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[[Category:Contract bridge bidding]]