passing Jacoby transfer after interference

[mikl_plkcc]

I have a practice of passing Jacoby transfers if it has been interfered and I only have 2 cards in the suit. In such case, if responder to the NT opening has a 6+ card suit, he will bid it himself afterwards.

 

There was a hand today which the majority of tables completed the transfer after interference despite holding only 2 cards in the suit, and they all landed a bad contract:

 

[hv=pc=n&w=sq3hj76dkj2caq532&e=sak652ht3dq83cj97&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1np2h3h3s]266|200[/hv]

 

There were 5 tables today. 3 tables used weak NT and all of them started the bidding as above. 1 ended up at 4♠ and 2 ended up at 3♠. All got 8 tricks only.

 

One table using a strong notrump ended up at 1♣ - (/) - 1♠ - (2♥) - / - (/) - 2♠= which got the top, and my table, playing strong notrump also, had it overcalled by 3♦ which went -1.

 

If I used a weak notrump, in such case I would not complete the transfer after it was overcalled by 3♥, because I only had 2 cards in the suit.

 

What's your practice in handling Jacoby transfers if it is interfered?

[Winstonm]

The opponent would get to play 3H doubled.

1N-P-2H-3H-

P- P -x -P

P -P

[LBengtsson]

only accept a major suit transfer at the three level after opps. interference with a opening 1NT hand that has 4 card support and the maximum points for opening 1NT, though distribution points can now be added such as a worthless doubleton in the opps suit. exactly similar to a "superaccept" to a transfer based on the law of total tricks LOTT. otherwise decline. responder can have a poor hand for the transfer.

[sfi]

Deciding to compete to the three-level with no guarantee of any value from partner and with only a known seven-card fit seems lunacy. I agree with LBengtsson that I would only consider bidding 3S with four-card support. And there would be hands with wasted values in hearts or soft defensive values where I would pass even then. It's important to remember that East knows a lot more about West's hand and still has the opportunity to call. So a 3S bid should say something specific in addition to "balanced, 12-14 with 2+ spades".

[Douglas43]

When the opponents double I would normally play pass=2, bid=3, jump=4. Certainly would not compete after an overcall on 2 cards. Might occasionally compete on 3 and a suitable hand. If partner had transferred to hearts and the opponent had bid 2♠ I would bid 3♥ on the West hand at love all

[DavidKok]

When the opponents double I would normally play pass=2, bid=3, jump=4. Certainly would not compete after an overcall on 2 cards. Might occasionally compete on 3 and a suitable hand. If partner had transferred to hearts and the opponent had bid 2♠ I would bid 3♥ on the West hand at love all

Over a double of a Jacoby transfer I play "Pass = (at most) 2, redouble = 3 but no guard in their suit, complete the transfer = 3 and a guard in their suit, 2NT = 4(+), a guard in their suit and a maximum, 3M (our suit) = 4(+), a guard in their suit, minimum, other bids show 4(+) but deny a guard in their suit.

 

On the given auction it is not wise to interfere. Partner has expressed a desire to offer a major suit on the 2-level, but this does not show a wish to compete on the 3-level. Especially not opposite a doubleton.