[pashadia]

Hello.

I'm trying to find some playable transfer response structure for Moscito 1♦ and 1♥ openings (showing 4+♥ and 4+♠ respectively, about 9-14 HCPs).
In a post somewhere, there was a reference to Paul Marston (the inventor of Moscito) playing transfer continuations from 1NT upwards (1NT->♣ .. 2M-1->2M). This is a very interesting approach, however in partnership bidding I've found out there is a problem with small balanced hands, less than a GI, and lacking a fit. For instance:

---

, has a problem lacking a response over 1♦.

There are a few possible resolutions to this:
1. Not playing transfers at all relieves the pressure by being able to bid 1NT NF on these hands. However, this breaks the constructive options that transfers would give.
2. Envisioning a structure where the small NT hands go into the relay, however that bid becomes more crowded than a 2/1 1NT forcing response.
3. Having 1NT as a transfer to clubs, but not promising clubs. Opener would bid: 2♣ with some club support and 5M, 2 other NAT, 2NT as 4M5♣ and 3♣ as 5-5. However it becomes a problem to open balanced hands with only 4M in the major, but these would rather be opened 1NT regardless of ODR or other issues.
4. Passing the opening with more values, but this might very well lead to a 7-8 IMP loss if the opponents do not reopen.

Could someone with more experience in this point me in the right direction? I can't find any references to this on the web, except perhaps the MagicD advisory of passing and perhaps doubling for penalties later. While I like MagicD, this advice surely comes from a world where a bottom is a bottom.

Bogdan Agica

[hrothgar]

Hi There

Paul was using a fairly complicated relay structure in which certain constructive balanced hands were multiplexed into the relay response. These corresponded to a natural NT response

[Free]

Since a 1NT response is gone, PM used the relay to describe a GF hand or a minimum NT response. Opener responses are natural! This avoids nasty problems when responder has a minimum balanced hand. 1NT rebid from opener shows a longer minor or 4441. His relays are a little less optimal, but at least it works. Note that his limited openings are unbalanced these days.

[pashadia]

Thanks for your quick replies.

Is there still room for balanced game tries? would 1♦! - 1♥! - 2♣ (presuming shows 5♥4♣) - 2NT be GF or GI ?

I would be very interested to see a write-up, is there one ?

Thanks,
B

[Free]

1D-1H-2C-2D is GF relay, so 2S is probably 4th suit forcing, and 2NT an invite.

Moscito 2005 summary