[Nadreck]

Continuing the vain of transfer responses I was kibitzing Paul Marston at the Austrailian trials and noticed that he is now using transfer response over the 1♦, 1♥, 1♠ and 2♣ bids in Moscito.

The structure appeared to be:

1♦ (showing 4+ ♥ 9-14) then
1♥ Game interest Relay or 6-9 NT reponse
1♠ natural
1NT transfer to ♣
2♣ transfer to ♦
2♦ 10-12 balanced with 3 hearts

similar responses apply after 1♠ or 2♣

It appeared that after the fist relay response the cheapest bid is used to show a NT raise and the next step is then Relay but I did not see enough examples to be sure of this.

[hrothgar]

Paul is (indeed) currently using transfer responses over MOSCITO's limited openings.
I have a rough description of the scheme somewhere in my email, however, I haven't spend much time studying it. (I certainly don't know all the details)

Paul has been struggling for a while to come up with a really first rate response scheme.

He's dis-satified with the natural/non-foricng responses that I favor based on frequency. Natural non-forcing 2/1 bids are fairly rare. It would be nice to be able to make a 2/1 with some hands that are both weaker and stronger than the constructive 7-11 HCP range that I favor.

For a while, he was play a 2/1's that were 1 round forcing
He's now testing transfers...

[Impact]

I have used 1-step relay, and other transfers for about 2-3years.

The theoretical gains are greater than the practical gains- matching your expectation Richard, but the rare hand where you want to use the 2-step (2suiter in the expected range 7/8-11)- and the way I play it the only really strong hand which transfers is a bare single-suited slam-try with a shortage somewhere: transfer into suit and jump in suit below shortage (typically a hand which cannot aford to go past game but will make slam opposite a fitting minimum - so cannot afford relays).

The other advantage is showing say a 6 card suit and Honour doubleton (over a 5card 1S opening or 3 card holding over 4 card H-showing opening) in opener's Major by transfer and rebid of opener's major ....

I am sure other people can come up with styles that suit their openings but my preference and creation works well as it gives you an additional chance:-

Over 1S (10-15, 5+S but ,5H):

1NT= relay
2C= transfer to D
2D= transfer to H
2H= transfer to C
All higher bids are S raises of various varieties - mainly
2NT= some singleton limit to min bare GF
3C/D= fit-showing (3C= C or H)
3H= limit
3S= pre-emptive
3NT= min GF fit bal
4C/D/H= void in next suit up


Opposite 1D showing 4+H with any suit potentially longer (but not exactly 4H with 5+S):-

1H= Relay
1S= either a natural NT bid OR long C
1NT= long S (nf)
2C= transfer to D
2D= 8-10 exactly 5S & 3H
other follow equivalent scheme USP

regards ,

fred