Advantages of playing transfer bids over NT

♠K52 ♥A109 ♦AQJ8 ♣Q108

♠J107 ♥23 ♦642 ♣J9765 ♠AQ83 ♥75 ♦9753 ♣A42

♠964 ♥KQJ864 ♦K10 ♣K3

Very few pairs would manage to end up in three NT on this hand. Played by North, it is unbeatable.

There are ten top tricks in the red suits, and a black suit lead gives N/S an eleventh trick.

However, most would bid to four hearts. Not playing transfer, South would jump to four hearts over a one NT opening by North. As we can see, West has an obvious lead in the Jack of spades and the defenders take the first four tricks. Three spades and the ace of clubs.

Playing transfer, South first bids diamonds, forcing North to bid hearts. At his second turn South jumps to four hearts and, played by North this contract is also unbeatable. (Declarer pulls trumps and plays four rounds of diamonds, discarding two spades on the diamonds.)

This hand is not an exception. Because the NT opener has more high-card and more tenaces i.e. AQx or KJx, it is better that the lead comes into instead of through the strong hand.

Another advantage of transfer bids is that it facilitates responder’s handling of two-suited hands. See next.

♠AQ752 ♥K ♦85 ♣KJ762

Without transfers, you would bid three spades over partner’s one NT, and over a rebid of three NT you would then have to guess whether or not to risk going past three NT to show your club suit.

With transfers, on the other hand you can show both features of your hand and stay below three NT.

The auction would go; 1NT - 2♥

2♠ - 3♣

And opener would be well positioned to select the correct strain.

Note that a second suit by responder after a transfer is forcing.

Therefore, no messing around with a two-suiter and a weak hand!

Partner might not be in on the joke!

The recommended way to bid a weak hand with 5-4 or 5-5 in the majors is to use garbage Stayman.

Bid two clubs and pass if opener bids a major. Correct a two diamonds bid to your five-card major.

With 5-5 bid your stronger suit. Opener must pass.

You must agree with partner that this sequence shows less than invitational values.