[killjoys]

It occurs to me you might know the method by a different name - I'm talking about xfer responses to 1 club.

Traditionally (I thought) pre-transfers you would raise partner's major response on 3 cards holding a 5431 shape if minimum and pattern out with extras, e.g. 1C - 1H - 2H could be 3 and 1C - 1H - 1S - 1NT - 2H shows a 5431 shape with extra values.

Obviously you could do the same thing in t-walsh and raise to the 2 level on 5431s, but everywhere I see the 2 level raise marked as 4 cards. Is this just lazy typing and they're really raising on 3 after all or does the patterning out route no longer show extras? If it doesn't show extras I would think you would end up in difficulties on many deals, so is there a solution?

ta

[helene_t]

With 3-card support you just accept the transfer.
1♣-1♦
1♥
includes most (all?) non-maximum hands with 3-card support. Some also accept the transfer with balanced minimums with 2-card support.

1♣-1♦
2♥
shows 4-card support and a minimum.

[paulg]

killjoys, on 2011-March-29, 04:14, said:

Traditionally (I thought) pre-transfers you would raise partner's major response on 3 cards holding a 5431 shape if minimum and pattern out with extras, e.g. 1C - 1H - 2H could be 3 and 1C - 1H - 1S - 1NT - 2H shows a 5431 shape with extra values.

Obviously you could do the same thing in t-walsh and raise to the 2 level on 5431s,

I started playing t-walsh in 2002 and have always done it this way. However our style is that the weak 1NT hand without support (or 3-card support with no ruffing value nor weak doubleton) just completes the transfer. As Helene says, more popular is to complete the transfer with 3-card support (or 4-card if completely flat).

Both styles work but you need to work through all the hands you wish to show and consider the advantages of the various approaches. I would advise taking a broad view of the system rather than focusing on one specific aspect of it.

(My response structure on my blog)

[han]

If completing the transfer shows 3-card support then I would never bid 2M on 3. If completing the transfer does not show 3-card support but tends to show a weak notrump then it makes more sense to bid 2M with 3. Currently I play the former.

After 1C - 1D - 1H we play:

1S = natural, forcing.
2C = relay, at least invitational.
2D = NF natural.

After 2C opener shows strength and whether he is balanced or unbalanced. If unbalanced responder can ask for complete shape.

[fromageGB]

I've never found anybody raising on 3, it's always 4.

You need to discuss all your sequences to decide whether you want to complete the transfer with 3, and rebid 1NT with 2, or whether you complete the transfer with either 2 or 3. I have played both, and prefer the latter, letting opener rebid 1NT with hand too strong to open 1NT. Responder can stayman and transfer after that, if you want.

[Gerben42]

We tend to include the "2NT rebid with 4-card support" into the accepted transfer as well, so that

1♣ - 1♦ - ?

* 1♥ = exactly 3♥ unbal. or 3-4♥, 18 - 19 NT. Denies a weak notrump.
* 1NT = weak notrump, may have 3♥
* 2♥ = 4-card support, minimum
* 3♥ = invitational, unbalanced
* 4♥ = shapely game raise, 6 - 4 or longer

[phil_20686]

If you complete the transfer with no support or 3 card support you will normally get another chance to show your 3 card support. E.g. After 1c-1d-1h-1s = (4-4(+) in the majors i can chose any of 2s,2h or 1N as the contract. Or after 1c-1d-1h-1N I will get a chance to choose 2M if I think its right.

[FrancesHinden]

In line with many other posters, we play

- completing the transfer shows either a weak NT (which might occasionally have a singleton in partner's suit, usually an honour) or an unbalanced 3-card raise
- bidding 1NT shows a super-strong NT
- bidding 2NT is artificial (our options are game forcing with clubs, 18-19 with 4-card support and various game forcing raises)

The two big advantages of this treatment are that you can respond on rubbish and pass the completion, and you have loads of room opposite the 1NT rebid. From this combination, we've also made our 2NT opening stronger and open 1C on many 20-counts without a 5-card suit. (Or you make your 1NT opening 14-16 and open all 11s.)

We basically transplanted our continuations after a 1NT rebid into this structure. So in one partnership we used to play 2-way checkback, when 1C - 1S - 1NT - 2C forced 2D, now after 1C - 1H - 1S - 2C we complete with a weak NT and break with an unbalanced hand (2H = 3415, 2S = 31(45), 3C = 3145/3136 max).

You can get really fancy after 1C - 1D - 1H and play 1S as artificial with more hand types showable than you have hands..

[Quantumcat]

My method is:

-accepting the transfer shows exactly 3, can be 4 with minimum
-not accepting categorically denies 3

e.g.
1♣-1♥
1♠-2♣(signoff in diamonds or any invite)
2♠(actually had 4 with minimum)

I used to play:
NV 1/2 seat: 1♣ opening 13-16 if bal, 1♦ opening 17-19 if bal, 1NT 10-12 bal
else 1♣ 12-14 if bal, 1♦ 18-19 if bal, 1NT 15-17 bal
1♣ and the transfers then come up way more often.

[fromageGB]

Quantumcat, on 2011-April-11, 19:21, said:

I used to play:
NV 1/2 seat: 1♣ opening 13-16 if bal, 1♦ opening 17-19 if bal, 1NT 10-12 bal
else 1♣ 12-14 if bal, 1♦ 18-19 if bal, 1NT 15-17 bal
1♣ and the transfers then come up way more often.

I play (if balanced or semi-balanced) 1♣ is 12-14 or 17+
Even more often

[fromageGB]

FrancesHinden, on 2011-April-01, 13:01, said:

You can get really fancy after 1C - 1D - 1H and play 1S as artificial with more hand types showable than you have hands..

Yes, but the hand type you can't show is a natural weak 54xx, and this is quite common.