Jacoby 2D and 2H Transfers
When your partner has opened a strong 1NT
(say, 15-17 HCPs) we generally want PARTNER to play
the hand so that all hir "goodies" are protected from
the opening lead and hidden from view as Declarer. So
if, as Responder, you hold a 5-card major you have to
entice PARTNER into bidding that suit before you do.
This explains the "raison d'etre" for the Jacoby
transfer responses of 2D (5+Hearts) and 2H (5+Spades).
The beauty of Jacoby Transfers is in their
simplicity: you can use them REGARDLESS of your
strength! With 0-8 HCPs you can get 1NT Opener to bid
your 5+card major and then PASS. With a flat 9-10 HCPs
you can use a Jacoby transfer and then rebid 2NT;
Opener can then PASS (usually showing 2 cards in your
major, but may also be a 4-3-3-3 type hand) or stop in
3-of-your-major (with 3+card support) with a minimum
OR, with a maximum, accept the game invite in either
3NT or 4-of-your-major.
e.g. 1NT 2D - 5+ Hearts
2H 2NT - 9-10 flat, inviting.
?? - Pass = 2 Hs, minimum.
- 3H = 3+Hs, minimum.
- 3NT = 2 Hs, maximum.
- 4H = 3+Hs, maximum.
Holding a flat 11-15 HCPs and a 5-card major
Responder wants to be in game. But which one? 3NT
or 4-of-the-major? No problem. Transfer into your
major and rebid 3NT to LET OPENER DECIDE!
e.g. 1NT 2H - 5+ Spades
2S 3NT - "Here or 4S?"
?? - Pass = 2 Spades.
- 4S = 3+ Spades.
With SIX or more cards in the major and 9-10
points Responder will transfer and then raise to 3.
This allows Opener to PASS (minimum) or bid 4 of
the major (maximum) even with only 2-card support,
since an 8-card fit is guaranteed.
e.g. 1NT 2D - 5+ Hearts
2H 3H - 6+ Hearts
?? - Pass (min.) or 4H (max.)
If Responder has a 2-suiter with 9+ HCPs s/he
can simply transfer into the 5+card major and then
rebid the second suit. This new suit is FORCING
for one round. Opener's most discouraging rebid
will then be 3-of-the-major; everything else
suggests a maximum.
e.g. 1NT 2H - 5+ Spades
2S 3D - 4+ Diamonds, 9+ points.
?? - 3S = Weak, all else strong.
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Jacoby 2S "Transfer"
A bid of 2S opposite a strong 1NT, then, can be
used to sign off in a minor. But WHICH minor? That
isn't known yet. For now, Opener rebids either 3C
or, with superior Diamonds to Clubs, 2NT. The reason
Opener doesn't bid 3D with superior Diamonds is that
this would bypass 3C and Responder may well have wanted
to sign off in 3C!
e.g. 1NT 2S - 5-4+ in minors or 6+card minor
2NT - Better Ds than Cs (else 3C).
3C - "Let's stop here."
1NT 2S - 5-4+ in minors or 6+card minor
3D - A mistake. Better Ds than Cs.
4C - "Sheesh, now we're in FOUR!" :(
1NT 2S - 5-4+ in minors or 6+card minor
3C - Clubs equal to or better than Ds.
?? - PASS = 4+Clubs (usually 5+Cs).
- 3D = 5+Diamonds (usually 6+Ds).
If Responder rebids anything OTHER than a Pass, 3C
or 3D s/he is showing SLAM INTEREST with minor suit
length.
e.g. 1NT 2S - 5-4+ in minors or 6+card minor
3C 3S - A cuebid, looking for slam.
