[han]

whereagles, on Feb 1 2008, 06:41 PM, said:

ArtK78, on Feb 1 2008, 09:40 PM, said:

Not that I play transfer advances in this auction, but I doubt that anyone does.  3♠ and 3NT must have their usual non-transfer meanings.

ArtK, the higher pard's overcall is, the more important transfer advances become because bidding space is more scarce. In fact, they should be ON regardless of the level of overcall. In this case,

(2♠) 3♥ (pass) ??

3♠ = clubs, but needn't be 5 of them if willing to play 3NT
3NT = nat
4♣ = diams, wide range of hands
4♦ = good heart raise
4♥ = so-so heart raise

Ofc, you can manufacture a hand that doesn't fit this scheme well.. lol, say,

xxx xx AKQxx Kxx

Maybe better maybe worse:

3S = old fashioned 3S, most likely a hand looking for 3NT.
3NT = old fashioned 3NT, suggesting to play there.
4C = ♦, forcing
4D = ♥, forcing
4H = ♣, forcing

3S followed by pulling 3NT to 4C would show a more flexible hand.

[helene_t]

Looks good, Han. You can show a mild slam invite for hearts via 3♠ or you can insist on the 5-level via 4♦. Btw, what would be the difference between 4♣ followed by 4♥ and 3♠ followed by 4♦? Both sound as diamonds with heart tolerance.

[whereagles]

Han, I know what you mean, and it makes sense. However, it breaks the mnemonic of TAs, which is "From cue up to support -1 = transfer, NTs excluded," so that might generate problems.

[han]

helene_t, on Feb 1 2008, 07:24 PM, said:

Looks good, Han. You can show a mild slam invite for hearts via 3♠ or you can insist on the 5-level via 4♦. Btw, what would be the difference between 4♣ followed by 4♥ and 3♠ followed by 4♦? Both sound as diamonds with heart tolerance.

I don't know, you tell me!

Without further thought I'd play 4C followed by 4H is choice of games, 3S followed by 4D (only over 3NT!) is a slam try in hearts.

I have never played this but I've noticed over the years that rotating the meaning of the bids at the 4-level often works well on the problems posted here. There are some disadvantages though, and of course it adds to the memory load (which is why I don't play it).

[the hog]

I would certainly bid 3S and not 4H here. I olike Nuno's idea of transfer advances though.