Four Suit Transfers =================== 4 suit transfers ---------------- 2D transfers to 2H (at least 5) 2H transfers to 2S (at least 5) 2S transfers to 3C (at least 6! stick it out in NT with 5) 2NT transfers to 3D (at least 6!) NOTE: since 2NT is used for transfering, you must go thru stayman to invite game in NT. eg: 1NT-2C(alerted); 2D-2NT Further NOTE: Since the stayman sequence: 1NT-2C; 2H-2NT invites game in NT and does not say (as is standard): "Partner you've picked the wrong major, but I can invite game in NT." Thus, if responder has a 4 card spade suit, responder must "checkback" in that sequence for a 4-4 spade fit: 1NT-2C; 2H-2S. The 3 level bids ---------------- These are whatever you want them to be. Playing 4 suit transfers I usually have them as FORCING. Others might want to play them as showing exactly 4441 hands, etc. More on 4 suit transfers ------------------------ Jacoby transfers (2D and 2H) after partner accepts the transfer into the major, responder then makes a description of their hand: pass: "I have a weak hand and 2 of a major should be safe" 2NT: "I'm inviting game in either 4 of the major or 3NT. I probably have 5 of the major. If you don't accept the invitation, you may pass or bid 3 of the major." 3major: "I'm inviting game ONLY in the major." 3NT: "We've got game. Choose either NT or the major." 4major: "Game; this is also a mild slam try. Do not accept without good trumping values." new suit: "Here's my second suit. This is forcing." ***super-acceptance. If opener has 4 trump and a maximum, then opener may super-accept by bidding 3 of the major. Another form of a super-acceptance is bidding a "new suit" -- this shows a working doubleton, that is, a doubleton that does not have wasted values. AK, Ax, Kx, and xx are working; KQ, KJ, Qx, Jx and QJ are not. ***LOTT super-acceptances. The Law of Total Tricks strongly supports super-accepting with four trumps and any range! Here's how it would go: 3 of major 4 trumps, minimum new suit 4 trumps, max, working doubleton 2NT 4 trumps, max, no working doubleton -- responder "retransfers at the 3 or 4 level" Minor transfers (2S and 2NT) ***preaccepts: the 1NT opener may show a good fit with responder by bidding the in-between suit--- 2NT or 3C. This asks responder to go to 3NT with a good suit (ie a suit headed by two of the top three even if the rest of the hand is crap. Responder denies by bidding 3 of the minor. after partner accepts (or preaccepts) the transfer, responder then makes a description of their hand: pass: "My hand is weak. The minor is better than 1NT." 3NT: "A slam try! I've got a long minor and enough values to be thinking of a slam in NT!" new suit: "I'm cue-bidding here! I'm making a slam try. It could be in NT or in the minor. If you can't cue bid or don't want to cue bid (say you have 2 of the minor) then bid 3NT." Review on sequences: 1NT-2C responder has: 4 spades and enough for game. 2H -2S 2NT-3NT 1NT-2C responder is inviting game in NT. He may or 2D -2NT may not have a four card major since opener denied a four card major. 1NT-2C responder has a long club suit and has at 2D -3C least one four card major (if responder had just the long club suit he would transfer to clubs). NOTE: this sequence is not forcing. 1NT-2C responder has 4 hearts and a long diamond suit. 2S -3D Not forcing. With only diamonds, transfer. 1NT-2C responder has 4 spades and a long club suit 2H -3C (see above). This IS forcing. If responder were weak with a 4 card spade suit he would simply bid 2S over 2H to checkback. 1NT-2D opener has super-accepted hearts, showing a 3H maximum and 4 card support. 1NT-2H opener has super-accepted spades and shown a 3C working doubleton in clubs: xx, Ax, Kx, AK 1NT-2D responder is inviting game in the major or in NT. 2H -2NT 1NT-2S responder shows a weak hand with 6+ clubs 3C -pass 1NT-2NT responder is making a slam try and is showing 3D -3NT a good 6+ diamond suit. 1NT-2NT opener pre-accepted diamonds (saying: I'm willing 3C -3D to play 3NT opposite just a long diamond suit headed by an honor). Responder denies a good suit. 1NT-2NT Again opener pre-accepted. This time responder 3C -3NT shows a good enough suit for opener. 1NT-2NT responder is cue bidding, making a slam try 3D -3H while showing long diamonds and a heart 3NT control. Opener denies being able to cuebid. 1NT-2S opener preaccepted clubs. Responder shows a 2NT-3D strong hand by cue bidding. 4NT is ace-asking. 3H -4NT etc...