Monday, January 29, 2007 1:32 AM

4 Suit Transfers Revisited

PITBULLS:

Tom Gandolfo suggests modifying the 5-5 in the minors structure over 1NT. Weak 5-5’s in the minor are no longer handled by a jump to 3♣. There are included in the 2NT diamond structure which now becomes an either/or bid. The super-accept in diamonds is now 3♦ otherwise you bid 3♣ which may be passed with the weak 5-5. This means that 1NT-P-3♣ is a 5-5 in the minors that is game forcing but no interest in slam. 1NT-P-3♦-P is an immediate slam try unless partner bids the dreaded 3NT which will end most but not all auctions.

With the 3♣ structure you either bid 3NT or show where you live in a major without a strong minor preference. A 4♣ or 4♦ bid is accepting the suit and awaiting further action by partner.

BJ Trelford has come up with the following scheme when partner bids 3♦. This can be modified to contain less science by your partnership.

1NT – 3♦ strong 5-5 minors game forcing & slam try (has at least 2 keycards excluding queens).

3© asks for stiff and confirms clubs as trump (must have 3+ keycards to ask)

3ª = stiff heart

3nt = play

4♣ = KCB for clubs

3nt = stiff spade

4♣ = KCB for clubs

4nt = to play (wastage in spades, courtesy, partner may not care)

4♣ = heart void

4♣ = KCB for clubs

4nt to play

4¨= spade void

4© = KCB for clubs

4nt = to play

4© = void in ©s exclusion BW (has 2 kc’s to ask) (3 A’s, 2 K’s and 2 Q’s)

4ª = 2 has ace of hearts (must have 3+ keycards to ask)

4nt = 3

5♣ = 4

5© = 5

6♣ = 4 with a doubleton diamond

4ª = void in ªs exclusion BW (has 2 kc’s to ask) (3 A’s, 2 K’s and 2 Q’s)

4nt = 2 has ace of spades (must have 3+ keycards to ask)

5♣ = 3

5¨ = 4

5© = 5

6♣ = 4 with a doubleton diamond

3ª asks for stiff and confirms diamonds as trump (must have 3+ keycards to ask)

3nt = stiff heart

4♦ = KCB for diamonds

4nt = to play (wastage in hearts, courtesy, partner may not care)

4♣ = stiff spade

4♦ = KCB for diamonds

4nt to play

4¨= void in hearts

4© = KCB for diamonds

4nt to play

4© = void in spades

4ª = KCB for diamonds

4nt to play

4ª = exclusion BW, heart void (3 A’s, 2 K’s and 2 Q’s)

4nt = 2 has ace of hearts (must have 3+ keycards to ask)

5♣ = 3

5¨= 4

5© = 2 has ace of spades (must have 3+ keycards to ask)

6¨= 4 with a doubleton club

4nt = exclusion BW, spade void (3 A’s, 2 K’s and 2 Q’s)

5♣ = 2 has ace of spades (must have 3+ keycards to ask)

5¨ = 3

5© = 4

5ª = 5

6¨= 4 with a doubleton club

3NT - 4-4 in the majors or a 5 card major . No interest in the minors.