Jacoby Transfer Variation ??

[olegeorge]

Watching a BridgeBase game online - the simple acceptance of a Jacoby Transfer of: 1NT + 2♥ + 2♠ - the latter bid showed that the bidder had either at least 3 spades or 2 with a stopper. I'm guessing that 2NT - would have shown 2 spades with no stopper.

 

Can anyone explain this variation of Jacoby please (including how one responds to a 1NT +2♦ +♥ sequence[does 2♠ or NT deny the support or is it more complex]) ?

 

I'd guess that one might well end up in 2NT - when one plays Garbage Transfers and had a combination of hands such as:

 

♠94, ♥AQ73, ♦KQ82, ♣AJ5 opposite

♠Q8642, ♥42, ♦753, ♣97

 

with 1NT + 2♥ + 2NT + pass vs. without it 1NT + 2♥ + 2♠ + pass

(assuming one chose not to pass 1NT).

 

as well as having similar bidding with the responder having a hand such as:

 

♠KQ853, ♥8, ♦J53, ♣7642

 

together with hands where responder might push to game at least either in the transferred to suit or NT

 

It would seem like this variation might be helpful in keeping a partnership out of some shaky games and slams as well as possibly having some downsides - e.g. - if responder has a hand such as:

 

♠9876543, ♥742, ♦3,♣63 - opener's ♠J2 - would be fine for playing the hand in 2♠, rather than 2NT or 3♠

[straube]

I think that's a silly treatment.

 

1. A good rule of thumb is to try not to play 2N unless you have a combined 23 HCPs. Unless the transfer promises close to an invite (which would also be silly), then you'd play 2N with less than 23 points and perhaps much less.

 

2. When responder is weak, the NT bidder often has transportation problems which can be relieved when dummy has a long trump suit.

 

3. Opener takes away the invite. 1N-2H, 2N (15-17)-?

 

There's ample room to diagnose weak support later in the auction. No need to do it right away.

[awm]

There may be some confusion here, given the mention of a stopper. People often play slightly different methods in the auction:

 

1NT - Pass - 2♥ - X

 

Here, opener has the option of passing or redoubling. Either of these is safe because responder will always get another chance to call. The most standard method after the intervening double:

 

Accepting the transfer now shows three-card support or better for spades. Redouble shows a bunch of hearts and suggests playing 2♥XX if responder can stand it. Passing shows a hand with only doubleton spade, and responder can redouble if the auction passes to him to say "please accept the transfer" or can bid spades himself to play from his side (perhaps protecting a heart honor), or can make any other call with roughly the same meaning it would have after an accepted transfer.

 

Elianna and I (and some other pairs) play the following alternative method:

 

Accepting the transfer shows either three-card support or better for spades, or control of the heart suit. Redouble means the same as above. Passing denies a heart control or a spade fit, and warns partner not to bid notrump without help in the heart suit. Again, responder can redouble to ask opener to accept the transfer.