Transfer advances

[Cascade]

Anyone have a good feel for what we should be using the free step for when the opponents are playing transfer advances over their 1♣ opening?

[spotlight7]

Hi:

 

Michaels

 

Regards,

Robert

[JLOL]

I like what Joe Grue taught me, cuebidding shows the other major and clubs, double shows the other major and diamonds.

[MarkDean]

I play transfer response to 1♣, and 95% of players play that a double shows the equivalent of an overcall in the suit named, while completing the transfer shows a takeout double. A few play that double is takeout of the suit implied while completing the transfer is natural.

 

I have played Joe Grue's defense that Justin mentions before, but only against pairs who open 1♣ with all balanced hands, which may be a 1♦ opener in standard.

[JanM]

I agree that most people will opt for the simple "Double shows the suit bid, cue bid is takeout" but I agree with Robert that the most useful thing to use the extra step for is Michaels. We play that DBL is takeout of the suit shown and cue bid is Michaels, although I suppose you could do the reverse if it felt more natural to you.

[gnasher]

Playing double as an overcall in the suit bid has a high frequency, and it helps to address a genuine problem: it's dangerous to overcall at the two-level in the sandwich position, but passing risks failing to compete when it's our hand.

 

I don't think Michaels has a high enough frequency to justify that use, and in any case with a 5-5 it's usually safe to make the Michaels cue bid at the two-level. If I were going to make use of the extra bid to show a two-suiter, I'd make it 4major-5minor, which has a higher frequency and allows your "takeout" action to promise a three-suiter.

 

I'd also swap some bids around, so that:

  Double = strong balanced

  Their suit = three-suited takeout

  1NT = two-suited

That greatly reduces the risk of intervening with a strong notrump.

 

Finally, you need to consider what to play in sequences like

  1♣-1♠

where 1♠ shows a 1NT response or something similar. What you do here may or may not be obvious, depending on what your basic defence is.

Edited April 1, 2009 by gnasher

[OleBerg]

I play:

 

(1♣ -) - Pass - (1♦) - ?

 

X = 13-16 bal./semibal. or 17+

1♥ = Pure takeout.

1♠ = Natural.

1nt = 5+ diamonds, 4 spades. More playing strength than hcp.

2♣ = Natural.

 

What constitutes a "pure take-out" might vary according to the opponents NT-range. So far, I have only faced transfer-advances combined with weak NT's. (Thus, opener has either clubs or a 15+ bal. hand.)

This makes a hand with the strength and shape for a three suited take-out less likely. Thus I play that it shows diamonds and spades. (Still, clubs would be natural from partner.)

 

If I came up against a system where 1♣ contained any weak NT's, I would prefer to play it as take-out of hearts, thus promising a degree of support for clubs.

 

Basicly the same vs 1♣-1♥.

 

 

(1♣) - Pass - (1♠) - ?

 

X = 13-16 bal./semibal. or 17+

1NT = Pure takeout for the majors. (4-4 and apr. 12+)

2♣ = Both majors. More playing strength than hcp.

2♦ = A good hand with a major-suit, normally 6.

2♥/2♠ = A competetive hand with the suit bid. (Weaker than 2♦.)

 

This is based on 1♠ showing diamonds, which is, again, what I have been up against.

[gnasher]

I like what Joe Grue taught me, cuebidding shows the other major and clubs, double shows the other major and diamonds.

That means you'll have to pass on some hands where people facing a natural auction will be able to double for takeout. Doesn't that worry you?

 

When devising a defence to something non-standard, I usually try first to make sure that I can show everything I could in a natural auction, and then use whatever bids are left to show additional hands or subdivide the hands I can already show. Whilst that isn't always the most efficient way to exploit the situation, it does help to avoid unwanted losses.

[keylime]

I like double as the xfer suit borrowed and diamonds, and bidding the xfer suit as takeout for that xfer suit.

[jdonn]

I like what Joe Grue taught me, cuebidding shows the other major and clubs, double shows the other major and diamonds.

That means you'll have to pass on some hands where people facing a natural auction will be able to double for takeout. Doesn't that worry you?

 

When devising a defence to something non-standard, I usually try first to make sure that I can show everything I could in a natural auction, and then use whatever bids are left to show additional hands or subdivide the hands I can already show. Whilst that isn't always the most efficient way to exploit the situation, it does help to avoid unwanted losses.

What does he lose?

 

1♣ p 1♥

Double shows spades and diamonds.

 

1♣ p 1♦ showing hearts

Double shows spades and diamonds.

1♥ shows spades and clubs.

[JLOL]

I like what Joe Grue taught me, cuebidding shows the other major and clubs, double shows the other major and diamonds.

That means you'll have to pass on some hands where people facing a natural auction will be able to double for takeout. Doesn't that worry you?

Sorry I don't understand.

[gnasher]

I like what Joe Grue taught me, cuebidding shows the other major and clubs, double shows the other major and diamonds.

That means you'll have to pass on some hands where people facing a natural auction will be able to double for takeout. Doesn't that worry you?

Sorry I don't understand.

I might have misunderstood. By "the other major and clubs", do you mean something like a 5-5, or could it be 4-4?

[JLOL]

I like what Joe Grue taught me, cuebidding shows the other major and clubs, double shows the other major and diamonds.

That means you'll have to pass on some hands where people facing a natural auction will be able to double for takeout. Doesn't that worry you?

Sorry I don't understand.

I might have misunderstood. By "the other major and clubs", do you mean something like a 5-5, or could it be 4-4?

Could be 44 is what I meant. I love getting in in these situations and think having to be 55 would be hopeless as well.

[gnasher]

Could be 44 is what I meant.

In that case I rather like your suggestion.

[InTime]

I like what Joe Grue taught me, cuebidding shows the other major and clubs, double shows the other major and diamonds.

I really liked your treatment. How would you handle a bid of 2 in the suit?

5+ card without a minor? or 6-card? what kind of strength?

Regards

[cherdanno]

Just a terminology nitpick: This thread is about transfer responses. Advances are bids by the partner of overcaller, not by partner of opener.