Mr. Norman Squire of England introduced this convention for the responder and his rebid. The bid by the responder of the only unbid suit at his second turn is a waiting move and promises nothing about the suit itself.

This bid has been popularly known as Fourth-Suit Forcing, but there is no bridge player who plays it as non-forcing, and therefore this term has become non-descriptive.

The question, which must be addressed by both partners in their partnership agreement, is whether or not the bid shows length and/or strength in the fourth suit. If the bid is used artificially, the responder usually has 2 or 3 losers in this fourth suit. In this case, the opener should not opt for No Trump unless he indeed has a stopper in this fourth suit.

An example can illustrate the principle:

South	West	North	East
1	Pass	1	Pass
1	Pass	1
		743 A75 AQJ3 954

Although North does not possess a 4-card Spade suit, playing the Fourth Suit Bid is forcing for one round only, and promises a minimum of 10-11 points. If, on the other hand, the Fourth Suit Bid is made on the Third Level, it is considered to be forcing to game. Both partners must agree on this method if they wish to use it.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.