[qwery_hi]

Playing 3NT, 4♣ and 4♦ as transfer splinters showing a void in the next higher suit,

1. What is the HCP range of these bids?

2. When would opener accept the transfer? What are the continuations after opener accepts the transfer? When would opener reject the transfer but not bid 4M?

Thanks.

[awm]

Seems logical to play these as fairly wide-ranging (say 10-15), and opener accepting the transfer shows mild interest (i.e. a near-minimum with the right holding opposite splinter, or extras but some wasted values). So something like:

1♠-3NT (club splinter):

4♣ = something like 13-15 hcp excluding ♣KQJ
..... 4♦/♥ = cuebid with a good (13-15ish) splinter)
..... 4♠ = a minimum (10-12ish) splinter
4♦/♥ = 16+ hcp excluding ♣KQJ and a cuebid
4♠ = less than 13 hcp once we exclude ♣KQJ, basically just "to play"

[Cascade]

By bidding below the suit (step) below the splinter then you can play a quite wide range.

I would think that an unlimited range would be possible by using the step as a frivolous slam try. (A serious slam try might be possible but that would be sometimes committing to the next level with frivolous values).

It will work best over the lower splinters.
1♠ 3NT
4♣ Frivolous
4♦/♥ Serious cue
4♠ I hate it

Whereas

1♠ 4♦
4♥ Frivolous
4♠ I hate it

means that we have to go beyond 4♠ with the serious try.

Since there is a free bid of 4♥ there is the possibility of responder having two heart (void) splinters: 4♦ and 4♥ which could be used to narrow the range of responder's void splinters.

Over the void splinter we play cues and 4NT (or preferably kickback) as exclusion key card by either partner.

Over the splinter responder can make another move with extremely strong hands.

With extremely strong splinters the void showing bid can be just a precursor to exclusion key card.

With moderately strong hands responder can make a subsequent quantitative bid (raise or cue at the 5-level).

The information gleaned from opener's response to the splinter will obviously aid responder in deciding which move to make.

My full scheme would be:

Over 1♠

3NT club void

4♣ diamond void

4♦ heart void limited but wider ranging that 4♥, perhaps 9-15, or very strong - intending to move over any response

4♥ heart void limited and narrow ranging 16-18 (these ranges might need tweaking)

Over 1♥

3♠ Spade void

3NT Club void

4♣ diamond void minimum or extremely strong

4♦ diamond void limited

Over the first three splinters (for each opening)

1st step Mild interest

any cue Serious interest

4Major (opened) serious wastage

4NT (or kickback) Exclusion Roman Key Card Blackwood

I don't think we have had one but a jump new suit would be a void of our own and exclusion blackwood in that suit.

e.g.

1♠ 3NT
5♦ exclusion in diamonds (and clubs but responder can't have that ace)

Similar continuations are possible over the limited splinter 1-step below 4Major.

[qwery_hi]

This is neat, thanks