[han]

I've thought a bit about transfers in competion, and have written a small file about it. If you are interested, send me a pm with your email address. I'll write a summary here, comments are appreciated. It is not meant for casual partnerships, so if you think that this is too involved for you, no need to comment.

I've played "equality" for a couple of months now, a method developed by Ben and Misho. Although I think that this meta-method is very intelligent and often works quite well, I have two problems with it: (1) it is too difficult (for me), and (2) I miss the negative double. You can download their method here:

http://www.geocities...neill_2000/sys/

After discussions with Ben, Misho, Arend and Matt I wrote down the following structure, which is not as uniform as Equality, but I think that it is a lot easier. It doesn't use transfers in as many auctions as equality does, but it does use negative doubles.

When we open.

When we open 1X and they double we use transfers starting with a redouble. A transfer into partner's suit is a better raise than the direct raise. This is common, the only point of discussion is whether to use 1NT as a transfer or not. I chose not to, even though I think that it is wrong .

When we open in a minor and they overcall in spades, or when we open in a major and they overcall in clubs, we switch the meanings of the two unbid suits. This is an extension of Marty Bergen's "switch" idea, and I was not the first to extend it (I think the Granovetters wrote a bit about switch). I don't know if others have made the exact same extension, I would be interested if anybody knew (to be honest, I would prefer that some famous bridge player came to the same conclusion, as it would suggest that this structure is somewhat sensible). The highest overcall that we play this for is 4C (over higher overcalls it is not playable, you can figure out why).

When switch applies, it allows a "transfer" to the unbid major, but you give up one or two steps when you show the unbid minor.

There are two special auctions: 1D-(2C) and 1m-(1H). Over 1D-(2C) we use both 2D and 2H as transfers, and 2S is a negative freebid. The downside is that we have to go to the 3-level to support diamonds (2NT, 3C and 3D all show diamonds). Over 1m-(1H) transfers also work well, but I have chosen to keep it consistent. Double tends to deny 4 spades and is minor oriented, 1S shows 4+ spades.

When they open.

When we make a simple overcall of their 1-level opening, advancer's cuebid starts a series of transfers. This is also true if the responder (advancer's RHO) makes a call below the cuebid. Again, a transfer raise is weaker than a direct raise.

We don't play transfers in any other competitive auction.

To make this structure work well we need to be more precise about the exact meaning of a transfer, and about the meanings of follow-ups. Suggestions are welcome.

[whereagles]

WE OPEN
I've once played a transfer scheme after 1M (int), where 'int' is up to two steps below the opening suit. It works fine on paper, and is probably a superior method. But in practice it doesn't come up often enough to bother memorizing all the stuff. Usual methodd, with negative doubles and suits as forcing 1 round are perfectly ok to deal with 95%+ of the hands.

Later on I extended the method to 1m (int), where this time 'int' was at the 1-level. The gains exist, but are less than in the major-suit case and even more memory is required.

THEY OPEN
Here is where the transfer methods really shine, especially after a preempt. They allow a considerable increase in flexibility and precision. The gains are high, and memory weight lessened

So, in a nutshell, I'd say forget about transfers after our side opens, but play them in response to overcalls.

[mikeh]

When They Open:

I use transfers after responder's pass, 1-level suit bid, 1NT or double.

The transfers usually start with the cue bid of opener's suit, but after a negative double, they start with redouble.


Third Case:

Whe we preempt and they double, transfers are on starting with redouble and ending with game in our suit.

This is especially useful if you play wide-range 3-level preempts.

Thus 3♦ (x) 4♣ is a transfer to 4♦, assuming captaincy. Opener has no rights here: bid 4♦ if doable, and otherwise pass: opener is NOT permitted to bid 5♦ over their major suit game.

Typically responder either has defence or his hand is so flat that 5♦ will be a borderline or worse save.

A direct 4♦ raise by responder transfers captaincy. It permits opener to save with the appropriate (ie very shapely) hand.

The method also allows responder to describe two suiters with support, thus again potentially involving partner in high level decisions. Admittedly, just bidding the suit naturally can accomplish this, but once in a while, advancer passes and opener can bid responder's suit at the 3-level.

You lose the ability to make a penalty-encouraging redouble, but when was the last time that opener could and did double advancer's bid?

[han]

Here is the FD code for competitive bidding using 2NT always as a raise and Switch when the unbid suits can be bid at the same level.

*00=NYYYYYYCompetitive bidding
001C1DD=NYYYYYY4+ hearts, 4+ spades.
001C1D2D=NYYYYYY008invitational or better with clubs.
001C1D2H=NYYYYYY208support jump shift
001C1D2S=NYYYYYY208support jump shift
001C1D2N=YYYYYYY0clubs, either very weak or GF.
001C1D3C=NYYYYYY008shows some values.
001C1D3D=NYYYYYY008splinter.
001C1D3H=NYYYYYY608support jump shift.
001C1D3S=NYYYYYY608support jump shift.
001C1HD=NYYYYYYminor oriented, tends to deny 4 spades.
001C1H1S=NYYYYYY548
001C1H2N=YYYYYYY0clubs, either very weak or GF.
001C1H3C=NYYYYYY048shows some values.
001C1H3D=NYYYYYY008support jump shift.
001C1H3H=NYYYYYY008splinter.
001C1H3S=NYYYYYY608support jump shift.
001C1H2S=NYYYYYY208support jump shift.
001C1H2H=NYYYYYY008invitational or better with clubs.
001C1SD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001C1S2D=NYYYYYY0085+ hearts, at least constructive.
001C1S2H=NYYYYYY0085+ diamonds, at least invitational.
001C1S2S=NYYYYYY0084+ clubs, at least invitational.
001C1S2N=NYYYYYY0clubs, either GF or very weak.
001C1S3C=NYYYYYY008preemptive but not a bust.
001C1S3D=NYYYYYY608support jump shift
001C1S3H=NYYYYYY608support jump shift
001C1S3S=NYYYYYY008splinter.
001C1S3N=NYYYYYY0to play
001C1S4C=NYYYYYY008preemptive
001C1S4H=NYYYYYY068to play
001C1ND=NYYYYYYvalues
001C2C=NYYYYYY008natural
001C2CD=NYYYYYYnegative
001C2C2D=NYYYYYY008shows hearts
001C2C2H=NYYYYYY008shows spades
001C2C2S=NYYYYYY008diamonds, at least invitational
001C2C2N=NYYYYYY4natural
001C2C3N=NYYYYYY0to play.
001C2SD=NYYYYYYnegative
001C2S2N=YYYYYYY0clubs, either competitive or GF.
001C2S3C=NYYYYYY448
001C2S3D=NYYYYYY0085+ hearts, GF
001C2S3H=NYYYYYY0085+ diamonds, GF
001C2S3S=YYYYYYY508
001C2S3N=NYYYYYY0natural.
001C2S4C=NYYYYYY008preemptive
001C2S4D=NYYYYYY008support jump shift
001C2S4H=NYYYYYY068to play.
001C2S4S=NYYYYYY001splinter.
001C2S4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for clubs.
001C3C=NYYYYYY008natural
001C3CD=NYYYYYYtake-out, convertible.
001C3C3D=NYYYYYY6085+ hearts.
001C3C3H=NYYYYYY6085+ spades
001C3C3S=NYYYYYY6085+ diamonds
001C3C3N=NYYYYYY0To play.
001C3SD=NYYYYYYasking for stopper.
001C3S4C=NYYYYYY208natural.
001C3S4D=NYYYYYY6085+ hearts.
001C3S4H=YYYYYYY6085+ diamonds.
001C3S4S=NYYYYYY708shows clubs.
001CDR=YYYYYYY4+ diamonds
001CDRP1D=NYYYYYY223
001CDRP1H=NYYYYYY348
001CDRP1S=NYYYYYY223
001CD1D=YYYYYYY0084+ hearts.
001CD1DP1H=NYYYYYY223
001CD1H=YYYYYYY0084+ spades.
001CD1HP1S=NYYYYYY223
001CD1S=YYYYYYY008good club raise.
001CD1N=NYYYYYY3natural.
001CD2C=NYYYYYY008weak club raise.
001CD2D=NYYYYYY008support jump shift
001CD2H=NYYYYYY208support jump shift
001CD2S=NYYYYYY208support jump shift
001CD2N=NYYYYYY0clubs, either GF or very weak.
001CD3C=NYYYYYY948shows some values.
001CD3D=NYYYYYY508support jump shift, at least 5-5.
001CD3H=NYYYYYY608support jump shift
001CD3S=NYYYYYY608support jump shift
001CD3N=NYYYYYY0to play.
001CD4C=NYYYYYY008preemptive.
001C2DD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001C2D2H=YYYYYYY0085+ spades. at least constructive.
001C2D2S=NYYYYYY0085+ hearts, at least invitational.
001C2D2N=NYYYYYY0clubs, either GF or competitive.
001C2D3C=NYYYYYY448
001C2D3D=YYYYYYY608
001C2D3H=NYYYYYY608support jump shift.
001C2D3S=NYYYYYY608support jump shift.
001C2HD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001C2H2S=NYYYYYY558
001C2H2N=YYYYYYY0clubs, either competitive or GF.
001C2H3C=NYYYYYY448
001C2H3D=NYYYYYY558
001C2H3H=YYYYYYY608
001C2H3S=NYYYYYY608support jump shift.
001C2N=NYYYYYY0red suits.
001C2N3C=NYYYYYY348
001C2N3D=YYYYYYY008clubs, GF.
001C2N3H=NYYYYYY008spades, GF.
001C2N3S=NYYYYYY358
001C2ND=NYYYYYYvalues, usually at least one of their suits.
001C3DD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001C3D3H=YYYYYYY6085+ spades.
001C3D3S=NYYYYYY6085+ hearts.
001C3HD=NYYYYYYasks for stopper.
001DDR=YYYYYYY4+ hearts.
001DDRP1H=NYYYYYY223
001DD1H=YYYYYYY0084+ spades.
001DD1HP1S=NYYYYYY223
001DD1S=YYYYYYY0085+ clubs.
001DD1N=NYYYYYY3natural.
001DD2C=YYYYYYY008good diamond raise.
001DD2D=YYYYYYY008weak raise.
001DD2H=NYYYYYY208support jump shift
001DD2S=NYYYYYY208support jump shift
001DD2N=YYYYYYY0diamonds, either weak or GF
001DD3C=NYYYYYY508support jump shift
001DD3D=NYYYYYY908shows some values.
001DD3H=NYYYYYY608support jump shift
001DD3S=NYYYYYY608support jump shift
001DD3N=NYYYYYY0to play.
001DD4C=NYYYYYY508support jump shift, at least 5-5
001DD4D=NYYYYYY008preemptive.
001DD4H=NYYYYYY208natural
001DD4S=NYYYYYY208natural
001DD4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for diamonds.
001DD5C=NYYYYYY208natural.
001D1HD=YYYYYYYminor oriented, tends to deny 4 spades.
001D1H1S=YYYYYYY0084+ spades.
001D1H1N=NYYYYYY0natural.
001D1H2C=NYYYYYY508natural
001D1H2D=NYYYYYY308natural
001D1H2H=YYYYYYY0084+ diamonds, invitational or better.
001D1H2S=NYYYYYY408support jump shift.
001D1H2N=YYYYYYY0diamonds, either very weak or GF.
001D1H3C=NYYYYYY508support jump shift.
001D1H3D=NYYYYYY948shows some values.
001D1H3H=YYYYYYY001splinter.
001D1H3S=NYYYYYY608support jump shift.
001D1SD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001D1S2C=YYYYYYY0085+ hearts, at least constructive.
001D1S2D=NYYYYYY348
001D1S2H=YYYYYYY5085+ clubs, at least invitational.
001D1S2S=YYYYYYY508diamonds, invitational or better.
001D1S2N=YYYYYYY0diamonds, either GF or very weak.
001D1S3C=NYYYYYY558support jump shift
001D1S3D=NYYYYYY908shows some values.
001D1S3H=NYYYYYY508support jump shift.
001D1S3S=NYYYYYY601splinter.
001D1S4C=NYYYYYY558support jump shift.
001D1S4D=NYYYYYY958
001D1S4H=NYYYYYY168
001D2CD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001D2C2D=NYYYYYY0085+ hearts.
001D2C2H=YYYYYYY0085+ spades, at least constructive.
001D2C2S=NYYYYYY008diamonds, constructive.
001D2C2N=YYYYYYY0diamonds, either very weak or GF.
001D2C3C=NYYYYYY008diamonds, invitational or better.
001D2C3D=NYYYYYY908shows some values.
001D2C3H=NYYYYYY508support jump shift.
001D2C3S=NYYYYYY508support jump shift.
001D2C3N=NYYYYYY0to play.
001D2C4C=YYYYYYY601splinter.
001D2C4D=NYYYYYY908
001D2C4H=NYYYYYY168
001D2C4S=NYYYYYY168
001D2C4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for diamonds.
001D2SD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001D2S2N=YYYYYYY0diamonds, competitive or GF.
001D2S3C=NYYYYYY0085+ hearts, Gf.
001D2S3D=NYYYYYY408natural.
001D2S3H=YYYYYYY6085+ clubs.
001D2S3S=YYYYYYY508
001D2S3N=NYYYYYY0to play.
001D2S4C=NYYYYYY008support jump shift.
001D2S4H=NYYYYYY168
001D2S4S=NYYYYYY601splinter.
001D2S4N=NYYYYYY7RKC for diamonds.
001D2D=NYYYYYY008majors.
001D2DD=NYYYYYYvalues, at least one of their suits.
001D2D2H=YYYYYYY508clubs, invitational or better.
001D2D2S=NYYYYYY008diamonds, invitational or better.
001D2D2N=NYYYYYY4natural
001D2D3C=NYYYYYY358
001D2D3D=NYYYYYY348
001D2D3H=NYYYYYY601splinter.
001D2D3S=NYYYYYY601splinter.
001D2H3S=NYYYYYY508support jump shift.
001D2HD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001D2H2S=NYYYYYY558
001D2H2N=YYYYYYY0diamonds, competitive or GF.
001D2H3C=NYYYYYY558
001D2H3D=NYYYYYY408
001D2H3H=YYYYYYY508
001D2N=NYYYYYY0clubs and hearts.
001D2ND=NYYYYYYvalues, at least one of their suits.
001D2N3C=YYYYYYY008diamonds, invitational or better.
001D2N3D=NYYYYYY308
001D2N3H=YYYYYYY608spades, GF.
001D2N3S=NYYYYYY358
001D2N3N=NYYYYYY0to play
001D3CD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001D3C3D=NYYYYYY308
001D3C3H=YYYYYYY6085+ spades.
001D3C3S=NYYYYYY6085+ hearts.
001D3C4C=YYYYYYY708diamonds.
001D3C4H=NYYYYYY168
001D3C4S=NYYYYYY168
001D3C4N=NYYYYYY0RKC in diamonds.
001D3D=NYYYYYY008natural
001D3DD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001D3D3H=NYYYYYY6085+ spades.
001D3D3S=YYYYYYY6085+ hearts
001D3HD=NYYYYYYasks for stopper.
001D3H3S=NYYYYYY558
001D3H3N=NYYYYYY0to play
001D3H4C=NYYYYYY558
001D3H4D=NYYYYYY348
001D3H4H=YYYYYYY708diamonds
001D3H4S=NYYYYYY168
001D3H4N=NYYYYYY0RKC in diamonds.
001D3SD=NYYYYYYasks for stopper
001D3S3N=NYYYYYY0to play
001D3S4C=YYYYYYY6085+ hearts/
001D3S4D=NYYYYYY308
001D3S4H=YYYYYYY6085+ clubs.
001D3S4S=YYYYYYY708diamonds.
001D3S4N=NYYYYYY0RKC in diamonds.
001D4CD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001D4C4D=NYYYYYY308
001D4C4H=NYYYYYY168
001D4C4S=NYYYYYY168
001HDR=YYYYYYY4+ spades
001HD1S=NYYYYYY0085+ clubs
001HD2C=YYYYYYY5085+ diamonds
001HD2D=YYYYYYY008good heart raise
001HD2H=YYYYYYY038weak heart raise
001HD2S=NYYYYYY408support jump shift
001HD2N=YYYYYYY04+ hearts, invitational or better.
001HD3C=NYYYYYY558support jump shift.
001HD3D=NYYYYYY558support jump shift
001HD3H=NYYYYYY948
001HD3S=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001H1SD=NYYYYYYnegative
001H1S2C=YYYYYYY0085+ diamonds, at least constructive.
001H1S2D=NYYYYYY0085+ clubs, at least invitational.
001H1S2H=NYYYYYY238
001H1S2S=NYYYYYY008invitational or better, typically only 3 hearts.
001H1S2N=NYYYYYY0invitational or better, 4+ hearts.
001H1S3C=NYYYYYY558support jump shift.
001H1S3D=NYYYYYY558support jump shift.
001H1S3H=NYYYYYY908
001H1S3S=NYYYYYY601splinter.
001H1S4C=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001H1S4D=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001H1S4H=NYYYYYY108
001H1S4S=NYYYYYY000exclusion RKC
001H2C2D=YYYYYYY0085+ spades, at least constructive.
001H2CD=NYYYYYYnegative
001H2C2H=NYYYYYY238
001H2C2S=NYYYYYY0085+ diamonds, at least invitational.
001H2C2N=YYYYYYY5invitational or better, 4+ hearts.
001H2C3C=YYYYYYY008invitational or better, typically 3 hearts.
001H2C3D=NYYYYYY508support jump shift.
001H2C3H=NYYYYYY908
001H2C3S=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001H2C4C=NYYYYYY008splinter.
001H2C4D=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001H2C4H=NYYYYYY108
001H2C4S=NYYYYYY168
001H2C4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for hearts.
001H2DD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001H2D2H=NYYYYYY238
001H2D2S=NYYYYYY558
001H2D2N=YYYYYYY5invitational or better, 4+ hearts.
001H2D3C=NYYYYYY658
001H2D3D=NYYYYYY008invitational or better, typically 3 hearts.
001H2D3H=NYYYYYY908
001H2D3S=NYYYYYY608support jump shift.
001H2D4C=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001H2D4D=NYYYYYY708splinter.
001H2D4H=NYYYYYY108
001H2D4S=NYYYYYY168
001H2D4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for hearts.
001H2H=NYYYYYY008spades and a minor.
001H2HD=NYYYYYYvalues, tendsd to deny 3 hearts.
001H2H2S=NYYYYYY008invitational or better, 3+ hearts.
001H2H2N=YYYYYYY04+ hearts, invitational or better.
001H2H3C=NYYYYYY558
001H2H3D=NYYYYYY558
001H2H3H=NYYYYYY338
001H2H3S=NYYYYYY008splinter.
001H2H4C=NYYYYYY008support jump shift.
001H2H4D=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001H2H4H=NYYYYYY008to play.
001H2SD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001H2S2N=YYYYYYY5invitational or better, 4+ hearts.
001H2S3C=YYYYYYY6085+ diamonds.
001H2S3D=YYYYYYY6085+ clubs
001H2S3H=NYYYYYY338
001H2S3S=YYYYYYY508
001H2S4C=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001H2S4D=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001H2S4H=NYYYYYY038to play.
001H2S4S=NYYYYYY708splinter.
001H2S4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for hearts.
001H2N=NYYYYYY0minors
001H2ND=NYYYYYYvalues, usually at least minor.
001H2N3C=NYYYYYY008hearts, inv+
001H2N3D=NYYYYYY008spades, GF
001H2N3H=NYYYYYY308
001H2N3S=NYYYYYY358
001H2N3N=NYYYYYY0to play
001H2N4C=NYYYYYY701splinter.
001H2N4D=NYYYYYY701splinter.
001H2N4H=NYYYYYY008to play.
001H2N4S=NYYYYYY168
001H2N4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for hearts.
001H2N5C=NYYYYYY000
001H2N5D=NYYYYYY000
001H3CD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001H3C3D=YYYYYYY6085+ spades.
001H3C3H=NYYYYYY338
001H3C3S=NYYYYYY6085+ diamonds.
001H3C4C=NYYYYYY708hearts.
001H3C4D=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001H3C4H=NYYYYYY038to play.
001H3C4S=NYYYYYY168
001H3C4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for hearts.
001H3C5C=NYYYYYY008exclusion RKC.
001H3DD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001H3D3H=NYYYYYY338
001H3D3S=NYYYYYY558
001H3D4C=NYYYYYY558
001H3D4D=NYYYYYY708hearts.
001H3D4H=NYYYYYY008to play
001H3D4S=NYYYYYY168
001H3D4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for hearts.
001H3D5D=NYYYYYY008exclusion RKC.
001H3SD=NYYYYYYasking for stopper.
001H3S4C=YYYYYYY6085+ diamonds
001H3S4D=YYYYYYY6085+ clubs.
001H3S4H=NYYYYYY208sign off
001H3S4S=NYYYYYY708hearts.
001H3S4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for hearts.
001H4CD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001H4C4D=YYYYYYY6085+ spades
001H4C4H=NYYYYYY238
001H4C4S=YYYYYYY6085+ diamonds.
001H4C4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for hearts.
001SDR=NYYYYYY5+ clubs.
001SD2C=NYYYYYY0085+ diamonds.
001SD2D=YYYYYYY0085+ hearts.
001SD2H=YYYYYYY008good spade raise
001SD2S=NYYYYYY038weak raise
001SD2N=YYYYYYY54+ spades, invitational or better.
001SD3C=NYYYYYY558support jump shift
001SD3D=NYYYYYY558support jump shift.
001SD3H=NYYYYYY558support jump shift.
001SD3S=NYYYYYY908
001SD4C=NYYYYYY008support jump shift.
001SD4D=NYYYYYY008support jump shift
001SD4H=NYYYYYY168
001SD4S=NYYYYYY948
001SD4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for spades.
001S2CD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001S2C2D=YYYYYYYA085+ hearts, at least constructive.
001S2C2H=YYYYYYYA085+ diamonds, at least invitational.
001S2C2S=NYYYYYY238
001S2C2N=NYYYYYY04+ spades, invitational or better.
001S2C3C=NYYYYYY008invitational or better, usually 3 spades.
001S2C3D=NYYYYYY548support jump shift.
001S2C3H=NYYYYYY558support jump shift.
001S2C3S=NYYYYYY908
001S2C4C=NYYYYYY701splinter
001S2C4D=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001S2C4H=NYYYYYY168
001S2C4S=NYYYYYY908
001S2C4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for spades.
001S2DD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001S2D2H=NYYYYYY558
001S2D2S=NYYYYYY238
001S2D2N=NYYYYYY0invitational or better, 4+ spades.
001S2D3C=NYYYYYY658
001S2D3D=NYYYYYY008invitational or better, usually 3 spades.
001S2D3H=NYYYYYY558support jump shift.
001S2D3S=NYYYYYY908
001S2D4C=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001S2D4D=NYYYYYY701splinter
001S2D4H=NYYYYYY168
001S2D4S=NYYYYYY948
001S2D4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for spades.
001S2HD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001S2H2S=NYYYYYY238
001S2H2N=NYYYYYY0invitational or better, 4+ hearts.
001S2H3C=YYYYYYY6085+ diamonds.
001S2H3D=NYYYYYY6085+ clubs.
001S2H3H=NYYYYYY008invitational or better, 3+ spades.
001S2H3S=NYYYYYY938
001S2H4C=NYYYYYY658support jump shift
001S2H4D=NYYYYYY658support jump shift
001S2H4H=NYYYYYY701splinter
001S2H4S=NYYYYYY908
001S2H4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for spades
001S2S=NYYYYYY008hearts and a minor
001S2SD=NYYYYYYvalues, pernalty oriented.
001S2S2N=NYYYYYY04+ spades, invitational or better
001S2S3C=NYYYYYY558
001S2S3D=NYYYYYY658
001S2S3H=YYYYYYY008invitational or better, usually 3 spades.
001S2S3S=NYYYYYY338
001S2S4C=NYYYYYY658support jump shift.
001S2S4D=NYYYYYY658support jump shift
001S2S4H=NYYYYYY001splinter.
001S2S4S=NYYYYYY108
001S2S4N=NYYYYYY0RKC in spades.
001S2N=NYYYYYY0minors.
001S2ND=NYYYYYYvalues, penalty oriented.
001S2N3C=YYYYYYY008invitational or better, 5+ hearts.
001S2N3D=NYYYYYY008invitational or better, 4+ spades.
001S2N3H=NYYYYYY358
001S2N3S=NYYYYYY338
001S2N4C=NYYYYYY701splinter.
001S2N4D=YYYYYYY701splinter.
001S2N4H=NYYYYYY168
001S2N4S=NYYYYYY138
001S2N4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for spades.
001S3CD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001S3C3D=YYYYYYYA085+ hearts.
001S3C3H=NYYYYYY6085+ diamonds
001S3C3S=NYYYYYY308
001S3C4C=NYYYYYY708spades
001S3C4D=NYYYYYY608support jump shift.
001S3C4H=NYYYYYY168
001S3C4S=NYYYYYY138
001S3C4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for spades.
001S3C5C=NYYYYYY700exclusion RKC.
001S3DD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001S3D3H=NYYYYYY658
001S3D3S=NYYYYYY338
001S3D4C=NYYYYYY658
001S3D4D=YYYYYYY708spades
001S3D4H=NYYYYYY168
001S3D4S=NYYYYYY138
001S3D4N=NYYYYYY7RKC for spades
001S3D5D=NYYYYYY708exclusion RKC
001S3D5S=NYYYYYY008slam try without diamond control.
001S3HD=NYYYYYYasking for stopper.
001S3H3S=NYYYYYY338
001S3H4C=NYYYYYY558
001S3H4D=NYYYYYY558
001S3H4H=NYYYYYY708spades.
001S3H4S=NYYYYYY138
001S3H4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for spades.
001S3H5H=NYYYYYY008esxclusion RKC.
001S3H5S=NYYYYYY738denies heart control.
001S4CD=NYYYYYYnegative.
001S4C4D=YYYYYYY6085+ hearts.
001S4C4H=YYYYYYY6085+ diamonds
001S4C4S=NYYYYYY138
001S4C4N=NYYYYYY0RKC for spades.
001S4C5C=NYYYYYY708spades.

[akhare]

mikeh, on Oct 31 2005, 07:35 PM, said:

When They Open:

I use transfers after responder's pass, 1-level suit bid, 1NT or double.

The transfers usually start with the cue bid of opener's suit, but after a negative double, they start with redouble.

<snip>

Seems very interesting indeed -- can you elaborate on the continuations? Is 1N a transfer also?

Also, I had a few specific questions:

a) What are the requirements for responder's hand?
Do the transfers end at 2 of overcaller's suit?
c) Is overcaller allowed to reject the transfer? If so, what does it mean?
d) How do you compensate for the potential loss of the cue bid?

Atul

[Robert]

Hello everyone

Sad to say that I am not a famous bridge player. Infamous perhaps?

Have you considered trying to obtain the lead advantages when playing transfers?
You also can gain additional advantages in the bidding.

1H-(X)-XX* shows 4+ spades, 1S* is semi balanced(which suggests your 'for the minors' interest at least somewhat) If you have 2-3 spades and only 2 hearts(if five card majors are used) you tend to have 8-9 minor cards.

Partner will declare any spade or NT contract and the doubler will be leading away from his honors 'into' openers hand.

If you hold Kxx and opener has Qx(x) a lead from the doubler permits two winners. If the doublers partner is on lead in this same suit, you should only make one trick.

You also get to show various spade type hands after 1H-(X)-XX*-1S should suggest 'only' 3 cards or a 'minimum' opener. 2S should show 14-15HCP and 4 card support.

Reponder with an average invitational hand should often pass after 1H-(X)-XX*-1S auction since opening is either minimum or holds only 3 card support.

Responder with an invitational hand should be able to jump to game over
1H-(X)-XX*-2S since opener is showing 14-15HCP and 4 spades.

You can narrow the range of your opener bid and also often gain any possible lead advantage.

1H-(X)-1S*(semi balanced NT type hand)-1NT which either ends the auction or you can invite/bid game. Whatever the contract, the doubler is on lead.

Axx in dummy and Qx in your hand. With the doubller leading away from his honors you have a certain two tricks. If this suit was led thru the Queen, you are likely to get only one trick.

Weaker holdings still gain from the lead advantage. Axx in dummy and J10x in hands is two tricks if the doubler leads the suit and often only one trick if the lead is from the other hand or you have to 'break' the suit yourself.

Right siding the contract is often a good idea. 1H-(X)-1S*-1NT might find opener with AJ Kxxxx Kxx Kxx and any lead 'into' this hand has some advantage.

That AJ holding opposite as little as !0xx in dummy is worth two tricks 'with' the doubler on lead.

Regards,
Robert

[Robert]

Hello MikeH

You might want to try using 3D-(X)-3NT to 'consult' partner, 4C would be lead directing and 4D would retain captaincy in your hands.

I play some very non standard preempts so it is often a good idea to suggest possible higher bidding 'only' if I hold a suitable hand type.

Since that 4C(and some other bids) is lead directing bid, there are certain 'negative' inferences when partner does not make a lead directing 4C(or those other) bid.

Over 3D-(X) a whole new enterprise can open up, if you do not mind a little memory work:

XX* shows the next higher bid(3Hs),
3H* transfers to spades, 3S*=consults partner
3NT*=clubs, 4C* transfers to 4D and 4D suggests that partner bids higher.

Since you have two ways to 'consult' partner here, you may chose to show various degrees of interest in bidding higher.

If the partnership plays standard preempts, you can bid XX as a two way bid, asking partner to double with extra defense or bid higher with shortness in their suit with a suitable hand.

3NT* can also be suggesting ownership of the hand. I am bidding 4D to make and wish to consult with you if you hold extra defense or extra offense. Pass is also an option and I can perhaps make a smart decision after your 'non forcing' pass.

Regards,
Robert

[akhare]

mikeh, on Oct 31 2005, 07:35 PM, said:

When They Open:

I use transfers after responder's pass, 1-level suit bid, 1NT or double.

The transfers usually start with the cue bid of opener's suit, but after a negative double, they start with redouble.

Seems very interesting indeed -- can you please elaborate? What are the requirements for responder's hand, is opener compelled to accept the transfer? Are responder's rebids after the transfer forcing or merely invitational?

Atul

[microcap]

I have been interested in transfer advances--it seems that when partner overcalls, normal bidding just cannot describe all the different hand types, ESPECIALLY when I have a good hand but no fit with partner. For instance, if bidding goes LHO 1♠, 2♣ partner, RHO pass. Sitting with a singleton ♣ and a 5 card suit, you might be better off bidding or not, plus partner won't know if you have 6 points or 12... Any simple suggestions or links--thanks.......