How does Responder Force if 1NT has NOT been bid

Be sure to read this post first:
How Does Responder Force Over 1NT?

What happens if 1NT has NOT been bid in the auction? How does Responder force Partner to bid now?

A NEW suit by Responder is forcing for at least one round.

However there is a caveat. If Responder is a PASSED hand they cannot force. So that means if Responder started off the bidding by Passing and their Partner opens the bidding Responder can no longer force by bidding a new suit.

Seems unfair?

Remember Responder started off by Passing. They do NOT have an opening hand. So now Opener with a minimum hand knows they cannot make game so will just Pass once they have found a fit. Why get higher if you cannot make game?

Say I am Dealer. I have this hand:

♠QJ32
♥AQ42
♦Q3
♣Q73

I have 13 HCP and open the bidding 1♣. Partner bids 1♠. This is a FORCING bid. My Partner could have 6 HCP it is true. But they could also have 13 HCP and if I Pass we have missed a game. Even worse -- they could have 20 HCP and we have missed a small slam! I have to keep the auction going so Partner can bid game or slam if they have the values. I would just respond 2♠. This shows a minimum opening hand. I don't want to get Partner any more excited than they already are.

Same hand. This time PARTNER is Dealer and they start off with a Pass. My RHO also Passes. I hold:

♠QJ32
♥AQ42
♦Q3
♣Q73

I have 13 HCP and open the bidding 1♣. Partner bids 1♠. We have a fit. But do we have enough for game?

No. Partner started off with a Pass. They do not have an opening hand. I have a bare minimum. I can Pass this bid. We should not have missed a game. Partner has limited their hand by Passing in first seat.

Let's practice some auctions. Tell me if these bids are forcing or not:

Auction 1

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♥

Is 1♥ a forcing bid? Does Opener have to bid again?



Auction 2

Opener	Responder
	Pass
1♣	1♥

Is 1♥ a forcing bid? Does Opener have to bid again?



Auction 3

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♠
2♣	2♥

Is 2♥ a forcing bid? Does Opener have to bid again?



Auction 4

Opener	Responder
	Pass
1♣	1♠
2♣	2♥

Is 2♥ a forcing bid? Does Opener have to bid again?



Auction 5

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♥
1♠	3♥

Is 3♥ a forcing bid? Does Opener have to bid again?



Auction 6

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♦
1♥	1♠

Is 1♠ a forcing bid? Does Opener have to bid again?



Auction 7

Opener	Responder
1♥	1♠
1NT	2♣

Is 2♣ a forcing bid? Does Opener have to bid again?



Auction 8

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♥
1♠

Is 1♠ a forcing bid? Does Responder have to bid again?



Auction 9

Opener	Responder
	Pass
1♥	1♠
3♦	3♠

Is 3♠ a forcing bid? Does Opener have to bid again?