From: pollock@grad.csee.usf.edu (Wayne Pollock)
Subject: And now for something completely different
Date: 26 Jun 1994 01:58:50 GMT
Organization: University of South Florida at Tampa


                   Trash overcalls of 1NT

Trash (TRAnsfer or SHape) allows you to describe all one or two suited hands
usually at the two level, to allow either partner to show extra strength, and
retains a penalty double by either partner.  I learned the system from a local
expert (Tampa Florida) who claims Trash originated from Harold Feldheim.  The
system doesn't seem to appear in any of the standard references such as
Kearse's.  (Ron Klinger's "Bridge Conventions, Defences and Countermeasures"
does describe a similar but hideously complicated system.)  Trash can also be
played after 2NT, over either strong or weak notrumps.  After 1NT:

 dbl  - for penalty

 2C   - transfer to diamonds, or 10 cards in hearts and spades
 2D   - transfer to hearts, or 10 cards in spades and clubs
 2H   - transfer to spades, or 10 cards in clubs and diamonds
 2NT  - transfer to clubs, or 10 cards in diamonds and hearts

        After advancer (the overcaller's partner) accepts the transfer:
           pass       - weak one-suited hand
           next suit  - weak two-suited hand
           raise      - invitational one-suited hand
           jump shift - invitational two-suited hand
        (Note: no hand should be too weak; this is an overcall after all!)

 2S   - 10 cards in clubs and hearts, or 10 cards in diamonds and spades

        Advancer bids 2NT to find out which hand; with the round suits (clubs
		and hearts) you will rebid 3C.  With the pointy suits (diamonds and
		spades) you will rebid 3D.

With very strong hands you can make the Trash bid one level higher.  Or if
advancer is very strong he can accept the transfer by bidding one level higher,
or by refusing to accept the transfer (e.g., 1NT - 2C - P - 2H or 2S or 2NT or
3C).  If you find requiring 10 cards for the shape bid is too restrictive, you
can agree instead that a shape bid shows at least 9 cards in the two suits.

I like Trash because the regular structure reduces memory lapses, because both
partners can penalty double, because I can show any one or two suited hand,
and because both overcaller and advancer can show different strength ranges.

Besides, it's fun to be able to claim "We play Trash overcalls!"

Wayne Pollock (The MAD Scientist)
Internet:	pollock@csee.usf.edu