[PhilKing]

I also like to play the transfer as FG and completion to show a 3-card fit.

However, I strongly disagree that being locked into the major is a good idea. We still need a way of getting to 3NT and playing slam in another suit.

[Kungsgeten]

To you who play that accepting the transfer shows 3(+): what range is your 2NT opening?

I used to play this over a 22-24 2NT opening and liked it a lot, and its very uncommon to stop in 3M vs that strength. Then we included 20-21 balanced in 2C and played 2C-2M as to play vs 20-21 NT (but transfers may be better) so that we could use the same structure over 2C-2D; 2NT.

If playing 2NT as 20-21, do you still play that accepting the transfer shows support?

[lmilne]

ArtK78, on 2015-June-03, 07:19, said:

So, what you are saying is that a transfer in response to a 2NT opening is game forcing if partner has 3 card trump support.

I doubt that there are many hands that will make game when partner has 3 card trump support and responder was planning on passing opener's completion of the transfer.

You're right. My system is not designed to avoid bidding games after one hand has shown 20+ points, it is designed to make slam bidding more accurately.

Every system has its trade-offs. This is a truism, but making a system effective involves examining the frequency of trade-offs. The partnership I currently play in has judged that avoiding playing 4M-1 against 3M= when we have a 5-3 fit is not a priority, whereas showing identifying major suit fits immediately so that we can show responder's shortage IS a priority. You may think differently.

[FrancesHinden]

I play transfers as game forcing opposite any uncontested 2NT bid (not in auctions such as 2S-2NT or 1H P P 2NT where you are very unlikely to be making a slam).
I switched a couple of years ago after running a number of simulations, which showed that

- with a really bad hand with a long major, you are as likely to be making 2NT as you are 3 of the major (partner is allowed a long minor of their own). And on some of them, when you pass 2NT, at other tables opener broke the transfer and they went off in game.

- it's hugely beneficial for slam bidding, assuming you play some good methods (of your choice) after the transfer is completed

- if you have a 4522 0-count you can transfer to hearts and hope that either partner completes or bids 3S showing 4+ spades. If partner bids 3NT you will just go a couple more off.

[lowerline]

After 2nt-3♥

3♠ = doubleton ♠ --> 4x natural
3nt = 3crd ♠ --> 4m control-showing; 4♥ re-transfer
4x = 4crd ♠ max, control-showing
4♠ = 4crd ♠ min

[Poky]

wank, on 2015-June-04, 06:10, said:

After 2nt-3M-3nt i play 4M as forcing with the major and suit below and 4M-1 as a retransfer. that makes opener play it when you're long and weak and keeps the bidding open when you're strong. i play 2 under slam tries rather than texas though.

There are laydown slams and thin slams. Since thin slams are more frequent and valuable, you need more room to bid the proper ones.

Knowing that, how can be better to have:
2NT 4m
as a general slam-try

instead of
2NT 3R
and superaccept available with such hands, trying to gain one whole level for exploration purposes?

Furthermore, if you bid, as you say:
2NT 3R
with hands containing 6M, being just a bit below a genuine slam-try, does that make your sequence:

2NT 3R
3M 4M
?

forcing, when opener holds the hidden superaccept with 4 trumps?

Say:
♠Axxx ♥AQx ♦AQJx ♣Kx
♠Kxxxxx ♥xxx ♦x ♣Axx