What are they?

After a 1NT bid, regardless if you are a pass hand, bid 2D and 2H are transfers to the next higher suit.

1NT-2D; 2H

P-1NT; 2D-2H

1NT-2H; 2S

P-1NT; 2H-2S

Why use them?

• Strong hand is not on the table
• Leads go to the strong hand
• Unlimited hand deciding the level of the contract/more bidding space.

Let's say responder has one of these two hands
 

A		B		C
JT9876		KJT98		QJT98
6		65		65
K98		KJ8		KJ6
865		865		KJ6

 

With hand A you would like to bid 2S and have partner not bid on. But this hand B you would like partner to bid on with a maximum, and let you play 2S with a minimum. With hand C you would like to be in game, but don't know if 4S or 3NT is better.

In standard you have now way to describe all three hands.

Responders Second Bid after the Transfer is Complete

1NT - 2D (transfer); 2H

• Pass = Weak hand (0-7 pts.).
• 2NT = Invitational to 4H or 3NT, 5 cards in suit, and balance-ish hand.
• 3NT = Game values for 4H or 3NT, usually 5 cards in suit.
• 3H = Invitational to 4H, 6 or more cards in suit.
• 4H = Game values, 6 or more cards in your suit. (To be discussed more another day)
• New suit = Forcing to game, showing a second suit. Many books say 5-card second suit, but I think with 5-4-3-1 hands, you have to make this bid. Even some 5-4-2-2.

I would play transfers and stayman on over interference of a double (X) or 2C bids. So, 1NT-(X)-2D is still a transfer to hearts. 1NT-(2C)-2H is still a transfer to spades. While 1NT-(2D)-2H is not a transfer…

2NT and 3NT

I find it easy to remember to have the same structure over 2NT as 1NT. So I play 3D and 3H as transfer also. Even over 3NT, I play 4D and 4H as transfers.

Problems
 

1		2		3		4		5
Kxxxx		KJTxx		AQxxx		Jxxxx		QJ9xxxx
xx		Kxx		KJx		Jxxx		xx
9xxx		JTx		Tx		Jxxx		Ax
xx		xx		Txx		----		Qx

 

Solutions

1. After 1NT one should bid 2H as a transfer to spades, and then pass.

Suggested auction : 1NT-2H; 2S

2. My hand evaluation, is 8 HCP, a five card suit and two tens, both with J in the same suit. I like my hand. I plan on inviting. But I can do this through a transfer to show my five-card suit and my point range. I will bid 2NT after the transfer.

Suggested auction: 1NT-2H; 2S-2NT

3. I have ten point and a five-card suit. I suspect opposite most 15-17 hands, we should be in game. But which one? Spades or 3NT? I don't know, lets let partner decide. I will transfer and then bid 3NT.

Suggested auction: 1NT-2H; 2S- 3NT

4. Well, I don't know why I am giving you this hand, since it is very hard call on what to do. One solution is to transfer to spades, and obviously pass. However, there is another bid that might land you in the right spot, or it might not. One could try bidding stayman. This is often done on hands with 5-4 in the majors, to see if there is a 4-4 fit. But my plan is even a little more tricky then that. I plan on passing when partner bid 2D denying a 4 card major, hoping that if partner doesn't have the majors, partner will have diamonds. Both, options are reasonable. For me it would depend on who well I know partner, how my game was going and al sorts of things. Transferring to spades is the safe approach.

5. Transfer and then bid game. While I don't have too much HCP strength, my shape makes up for it.

Suggested auction; 1NT-2H; 2S-4S.