[Gerben42]

Hi, I've noticed that some top pairs have started using transfers after 1♥ X. Now that's not so new but they start the transfers already at XX, not at 1NT, i.e.

1♥ (Dbl)

Rdbl = ♠
1♠ = balanced no fit
1NT = ♣
2♣ = ♦
2♦ = good ♥ raise
2♥ = bad ♥ raise

Any ideas on that? I've always found XX kinda useful.
For Fantunes fans, if you play 1♥ 14+ style (forcing), how about this response scheme in case of a double:

Pass = 4+♠
Rdbl = Strong
1♠ = No bid
1NT = ♣
etc.

[mikeh]

I have been playing this scheme for more than 7 years: actually the transfers are on over all 1-level suit opeings followed by a takeout double. Redouble shows the next suit up: 1♠ is a transfer to 1N.

Giving up the so-called penalty redouble is no big deal.

1stly, after a minor opening, most good pairs would bid 1♥ (as an example) on 2=4=3=4 shapes in order to avoid being preempted out of the fit.

We use a pass followed by a second round double as the 10+ flat no fit defensive hand: opener assumes you hold a 4432 with 2 in your suit and Hxx or better tin their suit and bids accordingly.

This allows the transfer to 1N to be limited to 7+ - 10.

In theory this is vulnerable to preemption, but I have not seen a bad result yet. The transfer scheme gives great flexibility: when responder transfers to 2of an unbid minor or to 2♥ over 1♠, opener assumes a 'weak two' sort of hand and bids accordingly, and responder can bid again with extra values.

[whereagles]

You can use transfers after any suit x on the auction 1x (dbl) ..? , starting on redouble.

However, in practice I don't find them that much useful. For most situations, natural will do just fine and is much easier on your nerves. There is a case for telling a good major suit raise from a bad one after 1M (dbl), but that's just about it.

Still, if you like transfers, it is true you can do away with the penalty redouble. Especially after 1m (dbl), since opener may have 3-4 minor-suit cards only. After 1M (dbl) the redouble is handy because it's much easier to diagnose a misfit and opps usually have to escape to the 2-level. But you can do away with XX anyway.

[pclayton]

I play this too and its great! I play them after 1x - dbl - ?.

I've found you have more opportunity for penalties, since pass is a 2 way bid. Frequently the dblr doesn't know whether or not to raise.

Furthermore, the dblr is usually put on lead which is another big advantage.

Responses to the transfers are natural; sort of like T-walsh. New suits are forcing after an initial pass.

For a partnership, a takeout double comes up very frequently, so as Opener, you have your hand on the alert stick as soon as you hear a TOx on your left.

[inquiry]

I very much like the redbl to start transfers as well, with two minor exceptions.

The first is that I play 1NT over double to be natural. Perhpas this is a bad idea given the advantage of having the opening bidder on lead, but still, I like it. I also play 1♠ as a two way bid. Either transfer to cheapes unbid minor or BIGGER balanced hand. The trap pass with some balanced hands is also a frequent ploy. This 1♠ as balanced hand is rare and can easily be dropped.

[DrTodd13]

I really dislike XX meaning a strong hand. It just sets you up to be preempted having given no information about shape to your partner. I play transfers over 1M-(X) in a couple of partnerships but we don't transfer to NT. NT is NT in our case, 1♥-(X)-1♠ is a transfer to spades. We also play 3-level jumps as showing 5-5 in the two suits not yet bid. So, 1♥-(X)-3♣ is invite+ with ♦ and ♠.

Todd

[rbforster]

I've been playing strong club, so with the limited (9-15) 1M openers it's nice to separate a good and bad raise to 2M. We do this after double by

1M-X-2M poor raise to 2M (3 cards usually, 4-7 or so)
1M-X-(2M-1) transfer to 2M (3-4 cards usually, 8-10 or so)

Generalizing transfers to the other suits, it seems like you've got a choice of if you value a natural 1NT or a natural, penalty oriented XX more. Give up one and you've still got enough space for all the transfers. I guess 1H-X-1S is natural if you play XX as business, but there are transfers for the rest.

[csdenmark]

Gerben42, on Mar 24 2006, 05:01 PM, said:

Hi, I've noticed that some top pairs have started using transfers after 1♥ X. Now that's not so new but they start the transfers already at XX, not at 1NT, i.e.

1♥ (Dbl)

Rdbl = ♠
1♠ = balanced no fit
1NT = ♣
2♣ = ♦
2♦ = good ♥ raise
2♥ = bad ♥ raise

Any ideas on that? I've always found XX kinda useful.
For Fantunes fans, if you play 1♥ 14+ style (forcing), how about this response scheme in case of a double:

Pass = 4+♠
Rdbl = Strong
1♠ = No bid
1NT = ♣
etc.

Everything is relative - especially time.

Bocchi-Duboin have used this scheme at least since 2001

RDBL=10+HcP,ANY
1♠=Trans -> 1NT
1NT=Trans -> ♣
2♣=Trans -> ♦
2♦=3+♥
2♥=Trans -> ♠

Meckwell uses

Pass/RDBL=To play
1♠=11+HcP,5+♠
1NT=6-10HcP,5+♣
2♣=6-10HcP,5+♦
2♦=6-10HcP,5+♠
2♥=7-11HcP,3+♥
2NT=Limit,3♥
3♣=3+♥,Round
3♦=7-9HcP,4+♥
3♥=Preempt
3♠=Preempt
3NT=Signoff
4♣=3+♥,0-1♣
4♦=3+♥,0-1♦
4♥=Signoff