Minor Suit Transfers
(and Temporizing Invitation to 3N)
1N-(P)-2
- Transfer to clubs OR a balanced invitational hand
RATHER than using a ‘temporizing’ stayman to invite in NT with no 4cM
(which gives away info about the Declarer’s shape to the opponents),
Responder (R) uses 2S to invite.
2N – Opener has a MINIMAL hand – Declining game invitation
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R will PASS if R was balanced and was inviting game (did not have long clubs)
R will bid 3C with LONG clubs and no interest in game (against the minimal opener)
R could bid 3N or 5C to play… the invitation was like a cheap quantitative inquiry
4C by R would be GERBER. 4D would be Kickback in clubs (R has not limited her hand)
3 - Opener has a MAX hand – Accepting game invitation
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R will bid 3N if balanced and just inviting game
R may bid 3N OR 5C with long clubs and invitational or ‘just’ game going, to play
R will PASS with LONG clubs and no interest in game
AFTER an answer of 2N (Min) or 3C (Max) by O, a new suit by R on the 3L is a game force,
(showing either a 4cM or shortness) and confirms long clubs, and it asks for more info from O.
R uses this to look for the major suit fit, and/or when slammish in the minor.
O can bid: 3N (no major suit fit, preferring 3N), 4M (O is assuming a 4-4 Major fit), or 4C –
O agrees on clubs (leaves room for R to ask or go to game—you are in a GF)
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R can PASS 3N or 4M, or bid 5C, to play
R can correct (O’s bid of 4M) to 5C if R was showing shortness in that major
R can correct (O’s bid of 3N) to 5C with extra length but no extra values
R can use kickback over 4M to confirm 4-4 major fit and do keycard ask
R can bid (over 3N) 4C for Gerber
R can bid 4D (over 3N or 4C) -- kickback in clubs—even if later placed in NT
Minor Suit Transfers and Invitations to 3N
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1N-(P)-2N - Transfer to Diamonds
3 Opener has a MAX hand – Accepting game invitation
R can PASS with long diamonds and no interest in game
R can bid 3N or 5D to Play
R can bid 4H (kickback)
3 - Opener has a MINIMAL hand – Declining game invitation
R bids 3D with LONG diamonds, no interest in game (vs min. opener)
R bids 3N or 5D to play with a good hand, even against the Min. opener
AFTER an answer of 3C (Min) or 3D (Max) by O, a new suit by R on the 3L is a game force,
(showing either a 4cM or shortness), it confirms long diamonds, and it asks for more info from
O. R uses this to look for the major suit fit, and/or when slammish in the minor.
O bids: 3N (no major suit fit, preferring 3N), 4M (O is assuming a 4-4 Major fit), or 4D
– O agrees on suit (leaves room for R to ask or go to game—you are in a GF)
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R can PASS 3N or 4M, or bid 5D, to play
R can correct (O’s bid of 4M) to 5D if R was showing shortness in that major
R can correct (O’s bid of 3N) to 5D with extra length but no extra values
R can use kickback over 4M to confirm 4-4 major fit and do keycard ask
R can bid (over 3N) 4C for Gerber
R can bid 4H (over 3N or 4D) -- kickback in diamonds—even if later placed in NT
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The Pros and Cons of this Treatment
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This treatment allows for 4-suit transfers
It provides a way to invite to 3N – through the club transfer bid rather than Stayman
It avoids giving info about Declarer’s shape to the opposition
It still allows R to show the 4cM, 6cm shape on a game-forcing hand
DOWNSIDES-o You may end up NOT finding a game with long clubs and an invitational
responder opposite a minimal 1N opener with a good club fit
o You might end up playing in 5C (instead of 3N) when R is slammish and showing
shortness.
Minor Suit Transfers and Invitations to 3N
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