Four Suit Transfers (i.e. "4ST") are easy enough
to understand. Opposite Partner's 1NT opening we have:
2D = Standard Jacoby Transfer to Hearts.
2H = Standard Jacoby Transfer to Spades.
2S = Transfer to Clubs.
2NT = Transfer to Diamonds.
In the case of the latter two transfers Opener
can bid the intermediate step as an encouraging
"in between" bid. The basis of such encouragement
may vary from pair to pair. Some will take it as
promising any maximum. Others will agree that it
merely guarantees 3+ card support for Responder's
long suit. A third group may say that it shows
both a maximum AND 3+ card support for the promised
suit. Should this come as sufficient encouragement
to Responder, Responder will bid HIGHER than that
suit as a game or slam effort.
1NT 2NT = 5+ (usually 6+) Diamonds.
3C 3H = Heart card, game or slam try.
Most who play Four Suit Transfers play them
opposite 2NT openings, too.
2NT 3NT = FORCING transfer to 4D.
The Ramifications of Four Suit Transfers
****************************************
If 1NT:2NT shows Diamonds and forces as far
as 3D, what does Responder do with a normal flattish
hand that wants to raise Opener's No Trump opening
one level? Answer: Responder must bid 2C, Stayman,
alerting and explaining it as "not promising a four
card major".
S- xx H- xxx D- AQ10x C- K109x
Respond 2C to Partner's 15-17 1NT opening
so as to rebid 2NT, inviting 3NT. If Partner
has opened a 20-21 point 2NT, be careful NOT
to raise to 3NT! Bid 3C, *then* 3NT.
The question arises as to what No Trump Opener
does with 4-4 in the majors. After 2NT:3C:3H:3NT
or 1NT:2C:2H:2NT should Opener bid the Spade suit?
Answer: No. Responder's No Trump rebid over
Opener's Heart call DENIES 4 Spades. WITH 4 Spades
Responder MUST rebid them:
1NT 2C = Stayman, not promising a major.
2H 2NT = Denies a major, else 2S here.
2NT 3C = Stayman, not promising a major.
3H 3NT = Signoff, denying a major.
Here is the tricky part: After 2NT:3C:3H
a 3S rebid by Responder may be a "ST TOMAS" slam try
in Hearts OR a search for a 4-4 Spade fit. 3S does
NOT necessarily promise 4 Spades. Opener must now
rebid in No Trump *unless* Opener has 4 Spades. If
Opener DOES have 4 Spades Opener should cuebid a minor
(if maximal) or rebid HEARTS (if minimal). Study this
auction carefully:
2NT 3C = Stayman, not promising a major.
3H 3S = 4 Spades and/or a slam try. Now:
?? - 3NT = Denies 4 Spades.
- 4C = Club cuebid, 4 Spades, max.
- 4D = Diamond cue, 4 Spades, max.
- 4H = 4-4 in the majors, minimum.
After 2NT:3C:3H:3S:3NT, 4H is a slam try in
Hearts but rebids of 4C or 4D are ambiguous;
Responder MAY have Spades and the bid minor OR be
cuebidding towards a Heart slam. For this reason
pairs may wish to consider HEARTS as trump for the
purpose of any Roman Key Card Blackwood 4NT inquiry
subsequent to 2NT:3C:3H:3S.
A Final Word
************
Four Suit Transfers can be very useful in
solving the age-old problem of Responder wanting
to know if 1NT Opener has 3+ card support for
the long suit.
S- xx H- Ax D- K109xxx C- xxx
This responding hand may produce anywhere from
seven to eleven tricks, depending on 1NT Opener's
Diamond support. Without Four Suit Transfers we
might just close our eyes and raise 1NT to 2NT or
even 3NT. Playing Four Suit Transfers, though, we
can bid 2NT and proceed towards 3NT only if Opener
encourages us with a 3C "in between" bid.
