An auction becomes fit when we explicitly agree a suit, or when one of us makes a suit-setting bid. Once fit, always fit (even if they bid), but it is possible to suggest an alternative denomination at slam level, as all slam bids (other than in response to an ask) are to play.
Fit auctions are the most structured of the auction types. Most bids are artificial (and therefore forcing) and generic. Some easy ones:
- Most bids of the trump suit are to play. But if we are already forced to a higher level, then a trump suit bid is just waiting.
- 2NT is usually a neutral or disturbed fit bid, but it can also be used in an already fit auction e.g. 1
- 1
; 2 - 2NT. It's just a waiting bid. - 3NT is always to play.
- Apart from as a response to an ask, 4NT is the same as in a neutral auction – natural, and to play if not a jump, otherwise slam invitational. This will be much more common in a minor fit auction.
In this section we also look at:
We generally ignore their bidding in a fit auction, but double shows extra defensive strength, and will often be converted to penalty.