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The primary benefit of transfers isn't the right-siding (although opposite a strong NT that is a cute bonus). The main benefit is being able to bid again as responder, so that you can fit multiple hand types (e.g. weak with hearts, invitational with hearts, GF with hearts, GF two-suiters with hearts, invitational+ with 6(+) hearts and more) in a single bid. Humans are also notoriously bad at defending, doubly so when most of the picture cards are hidden from view. As far as I know there is a significant practical benefit to concealing the strong hand that DD analysis fails to capture. I like the question though, and will look into it. I love your questions on preempts, especially since my style is very aggressive. Exactly how much does responder need (rule of X? Big balanced? Other?) to make it, on average, worth looking for game over our weak two?

I would pass in a heartbeat. Game is not on and we are in the last safe contract at the 2-level. Partner is a favourite to hold 2 spades and long clubs, and then where do we want to go? 6-9 points opposite our 14 also doesn't motivate any risk-taking. We're weak, we have a misfit, get out now.

Yes, cue-bid 3♠