[WasWinM]

To simplify, it would be nice to have the auction of 1D-P-2C be game forcing. A problem ss what to do with hands just below game forcing? Do you still play 1NT in this auction as forcing to take care of those hands or do you revert back to a SAYC style one-round force only 2C?

[awm]

No one plays 1nt forcing over 1♦ as far as I know. The usual combination if you want 2♣ response game forcing is:

2nt = invite, around 11 balanced no 4M.
3♣ = invite with 6+♣
Inverted minor raises

You can move some things around if you’re willing to use an artificial 2♥ and/or 2♠ response..

[Zelandakh]

WasWinM, on 2026-September-02, 14:59, said:

To simplify, it would be nice to have the auction of 1D-P-2C be game forcing. A problem is what to do with hands just below game forcing? Do you still play 1NT in this auction as forcing to take care of those hands or do you revert back to a SAYC style one-round force only 2C?

You already know my answer to this Winston! Just switch it around so that 1♥ covers INV+ hands and 1♠, 1NT and 2m are weak. That allows you to start your GF auctions at 1NT. This works best with relays but can also be adapted to a more natural approach. You do need 1♦ to be 4+ for this, so the 1♣ opening has to cover all of the balanced hands outside of range, but it does solve the issue. Given the efficiency of Transfer Walsh, that is a change that might even be a good thing more generally...

[mw64ahw]

As you may have seen my Esoteric Unbalanced ♦ 3+ uses 1♠ as game invitational with opener subsequently showing shape with space to stop below game. Playing 3+♦ also has the advantage of removing the death hands from a 1♣ opening.

Weak hands can play in a Moysian with 1♥ being either/both Majors facilitating this.

Further invites (INV) with 9/10 are
2N xx43
3♥ x46x
3♠ 4x6x
3N xx64