[Chillwell1]

Hi all!

Me and my partner have just started playing weak NT with transfers on 1C.

1NT: 11-13 NV/ 14-16 V

We decided that after 1C -1D/H we accept the transfer with 14-16 balanced, and bid 1NT with 17-19.
However, after 1C - 1D and 2S from RHO, we have some problems describing our hands.
We have on some level decided that (after 2S):
Pass = 14-16
Double = 3 card support
2NT = 17-19
3H = 4 card support, 11-13

What to do with, say, the weak unbalanced club hand? Bid 3C?

Is this style playable or are we missing something?

Thanks!

[steve2005]

This shouldn't be a problem. it is exact situation as:
1♣-(P)-1♥-(2♠)
Preempt does cause problems but your methods should not suffer any extra problems.

[P_Marlowe]

steve2005, on 2019-February-12, 17:50, said:

This shouldn't be a problem. it is exact situation as:
1♣-(P)-1♥-(2♠)
Preempt does cause problems but your methods should not suffer any extra problems.

I agree, but to allow opener to differentiate between various strengths, one plays
some form of Good-Bad 2NT.
But opener already uses the 2NT bid to show a specific hands / ranges.

[helene_t]

With a minimum with five clubs, you either make a support double or pass.

With a minimum with six clubs, you might pass and then pull partner's double to 3♣. Of course, partner is not obliged to double, but since he assumes you have ostensibly a balanced 14-16, he will double quite aggressively, at least at matchpoints.

Alternatively, play the 3♣ bid as wide-ranging, say 11-16.

You can cuebid 3♠ with (17)18+ and six clubs, and with some rare balanced 18-19 hands that have no other options, say
xxx
Ax
AXx
AKxxx

Hand with 4-card support will bid 3♥ with 14-16 balanced or 11-14 unbalanced. You will need to force to game with an unbalanced 15 count, then. If this is not acceptable, you will need to play 2NT as good/bad. But then you may need to allow the doubles to include balanced 17-18 hands without 3-card support. It is actually not standard to play support level above the 2-level of responder's suit.

If you want to play support doubles here, you may consider how you respond to it. Normally, a minimum responder just rebids his suit if he has no good alternative, as a 4-3 fit at the 2-level is ok. Here, you may prefer to play 2NT by responder as artificial, or as "to play opposite 14-16 with a stopper", maybe.

[nullve]

P_Marlowe, on 2019-February-13, 02:24, said:

I agree, but to allow opener to differentiate between various strengths, one plays
some form of Good-Bad 2NT.
But opener already uses the 2NT bid to show a specific hands / ranges.

It's possible to play a non-forcing version of Good/bad 2N that includes 17-19 BAL w/ 2-3 H here. In more detail, something like

1♣-(P)-1♦-(2♠); ?:

P = normal (when X would be takeout), does not deny 3 H
X = takeout
2N = "bad" hand with either 6+ C or 4+ H OR "17-19 BAL, 2-3 H"
...P = would have passed 2N if it had shown "17-19 BAL, 2-3 H" unambiguously
...3♣ = to play opposite the "bad" type with 2-H6+C, forcing to 3♦/♥ or game opposite "17-19 BAL"
......P = the "bad" type with 2-H6+C
......3♦ = "17-19 BAL"
.........P = wanted to play 3♦ opposite "17-19 BAL"
.........3♥ = 5+ H, to play
.........3♠ = 5+ H, FG
.........(...)
......3♥ = the "bad" type with 4+ H
3♣ = "good" hand with 2-H6+C
(...)
3♥ = "good" hand with 4+ H
(...)