Structure 7G71 Main

Transfers in Competition

by Richard Pavlicek

In a Nutshell

In the mid 1970s the usual expert way to cope with an overcall of partner’s 1 NT opening involved the Lebensohl convention — an artificial 2 NT response that forced 3 by opener, then responder could pass or show various hand types. A serious flaw in this method was the loss of the transfer aspect (unless responder has clubs), which is even more important after an overcall.

My solution was to define all bids from 2 NT through 3 as transfers to the next higher suit, with the provision that transferring to the enemy suit becomes Stayman. Since a bid of 3 is no longer needed, I use it artificially to ask for a stopper.

In Detail

Natural overcalls

If an opponent overcalls in a natural suit (4+ cards in suit bid) the general scheme is that responses of 2 NT through 3 are transfers to the next higher suit or Stayman if the next higher suit was bid by the opponent. Texas also applies unless the major above was bid by the opponent, then it shows shortness with slam interest.

1 NT 2 ?
analogous for natural 2 , 2 or 2

Dbl
2
2 NT
3
3
3
3
3 NT 4
4
4
4

•

•

•
penalty, creates force
5+ spades, weak, NF
5+ clubs
5+ diamonds
Stayman
5+ spades, I+
asks for heart stopper
sign-off
Gerber
heart shortness, ST
Texas

If the natural overcall shows a second suit:

1 NT 2 ¹ ?
1. diamonds + hearts

2 shown
Other
takeout, may be just competitive
analogous to above

Only the actual bid that you can double for penalty qualifies for the Stayman or shortness treatment above.

1 NT 3 ?
analogous for 3 but unable to show hearts at 3 level

Dbl
3
3
3
3 NT 4
4
4 4

•

negative
5+ hearts
5+ spades
asks for club stopper
sign-off
Gerber
Texas

1 NT 3 ?

Dbl
3
3 NT 4
4
4
4
•

•
negative
asks for heart stopper
sign-off
Gerber
heart shortness, ST
Texas

To show a minor on the previous two auctions, responder can bid 3 (stopper ask) then his minor (GF). The stopper information may also be helpful in judging slam prospects.

1 NT 3 ?

Dbl
3 NT
4
4
4

• negative
sign-off
Gerber
Texas
spade shortness, ST

1 NT 4 ?
analogous for 4

Dbl
4
4 4

negative
diamonds, F
natural, NF

Note transfers are off for interference beyond 3 NT.

Rebids by opener

1 NT
? 2 3 Pass
analogous for other transfers

3
3 NT
4

normal action
max, good spade stopper
max, good heart fit

1 NT
? 2 3 Pass
analogous for other Stayman bids

3
3
3 NT
4 *

no heart stopper, not 4 spades
4+ spades, min if only unshown major
heart stopper, not 4 spades
4+ spades, max

*disallowed if both majors unshown

If opener denies a stopper, followups are natural, and bidding can end in 4 or 4 . Cue of enemy suit by either asks choice of minors (or remaining suits).

1 NT
? 2 3 Pass
analogous for other stopper asks

3 NT
4 suit
Cue
4 NT

heart stopper
4+ cards, no stopper, NF
max, no stopper, highest + other suit
max, no stopper, two lowest suits

Artificial overcalls

If an opponent overcalls artificially (not 4+ cards in suit bid) the following structures apply:

1 NT 2 ¹ ?
analogous for any artificial 2-bid
1. whatever

Dbl
2 shown
2 unshown
2 NT 3
3
3 NT
4
4 4

•

8+ HCP, creates force
takeout, may be just competitive
5+ cards, NF
5+ cards in next higher suit
asks for stopper in shown suit(s)
sign-off
Gerber
Texas

After an artificial overcall note that transferring to a shown suit is the same as any other.

1 NT 2 NT¹ ?
1. minors

3
Other
Stayman
same as above

1 NT 3 ¹ ?
1. majors

3
Other
minors, may be just competitive
same as above

Note that 4 by responder is always Gerber (jump or not) after interference.

After our 2 NT opening, the same structures apply insofar as possible; i.e., 2 level bids are eliminated, and higher bids keep their meaning.

Structure 7G71 Main Top Transfers in Competition