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Transfers Over 1♣ Openings Part 1 Bob Pattinson
Introduction Most bridge players use transfer bids over 1NT openings, so the principle and advantages of the transfer approach is well recognised and experienced. Transfers allow a second bidding opportunity to show the shape and strength of the responding hand, and ensure that the stronger opening hand declares the final contract. Those players taking up the challenge of playing transfers over 1♣ openings will find that the same principles apply and it does not take long to begin automatically alerting transfer responses to 1♣ openings. Why Play Transfers over 1♣ Openings? As 1♣ openings occur more frequently than any other opening bids there is an obvious advantage in building the bidding system around this bid. Playing an opening 1NT within the 14-16 range means that 1♣ openings, with a minimum holding of two clubs, cover four hand types: This approach allows a simple four step structure for describing balanced hands with a three point range for each step: Points Range | Opening Bid | Rebids by Opener after 1♣ opening | Examples | 11-13 | 1♣ | Accept major suit transfer at one level with 2 or 3 card support to show balanced 11-13 | ♠ K76 ♥ A9 ♦ QT87 ♣ KJ42 1♣ : 1♦ = 4+ hearts 1♥ = 2 or 3 hearts | 14-16 | 1NT | | | 17-19 | 1♣ | After a major suit transfer rebid 1NT to show 17-19 balanced. Over a 1♠ response (no 4 card major) rebid 2NT to show 17-19 balanced | ♠ AQ3 ♥ QJ86 ♦ KQ6 ♣ KT7 1♣ : 1♥ = 4+ spades 1NT = 17-19 balanced | 20-22 | 2NT | | |
The other major advantage of using 1♣ openings to describe balanced hands is that it now frees the 1♦ opening to be always semi-balanced or unbalanced, guaranteeing at least four cards: Semi- balanced shapes
Unbalanced shapes
Balanced hands with 4 Diamonds can be opened Via the 1♣ route: | 5422, 6322, and 7222
4441, 5431, 5521, 5521, 5540, 6421, 6331, 6430, 6511, 6520, and 7321
4333, 4432, and 5332. |
Also after an opening bid of 1♦ a rebid of 1NT by opener cannot be balanced and maybe used to describe a range of options. Responding to 1♣ Openings There are a number of different approaches used by partnerships playing transfers over 1♣ openings. This article sets out the basic structure to help partnerships try this convention. Some partnerships only accept a major suit transfer with 3 card support. This article suggests that 2 or 3 card support is equally effective, and has two extra advantages: With 17-19 points opener can rebid 1NT over a major suit transfer and this allows the bidding to stay lower if responder has a minimum hand, eg a balanced 6 count with poorly scattered values, or a poor 6 card suit with just 4 or 5 points
♠ KJ6 ♠ QT5432 ♥ AQ ♥ K54 ♦ QT87 ♦ 43 ♣ AJ42 ♣ 87 1♣ 1♥ Opener rebids 1NT to confirm a 17-19 balanced 1NT 2♥ and partner re-transfers to the safe 2♠ contract 2♠ ♠ AJ97 ♠ QT5432 ♥ 7 ♥ K54 ♦ AQ ♦ 43 ♣ AKJ965 ♣ 87 1♣ 2NT 3♠ | 1♥ 3♥ 4♠ | Opener jumps to 2NT to show 6-4 shape in the black suits, and despite minimum points responder re-transfers and raises to game, expecting the long clubs to provide extra tricks. |
The table below summarises the basic structure of one level transfer responses to 1♣ (2+); options available for the 1NT response and other two level bids will be covered in a second article. Transfer Response | Opener’s Rebid | Responder’s Follow up | 1♦ = 4+ Hearts | 1♥ = 2 or 3 hearts, balanced 11-13 2♥ = 4 hearts, 11-13 3♥ = 4 hearts, 17-19 1NT = 17-19 : balanced (with 14-16 would open 1NT) | 1♠ = < 4 spades : transfer to 1NT (6-11: opener will be stronger, even if only 11-13) 1NT = 4-4 in the majors (6-11) 2♣/♦ = canapé : longer minor : 6-11 2♥ = to play : 5+ suit : 6-11 Over the 1NT (17-19) system on | 1♥: 4+ Spades | 1♠ = 2-3 spades: balanced 11-13 2♠ = 4 spades : 11-13 3♠ = 4 spades : 11-13 1NT = 17-19 : balanced | 1NT = 6-11 : balanced Other rebids as per hearts above | 1♠: transfer to 1NT: no four card major: 6-11 or stronger balanced hand ; or 6-11 : long minor; or 13+ with 5+ diamonds and a 4 card major | 1NT = 11-13 : balanced 2♣ = 11-16 : unbalanced : 5431 or 6 clubs 2NT = 17-19 : balanced | 2♣/♦ = long minor : 6-11 2♥/♠ = 13+ : 5+ diamonds and a 4 card major |
The following examples show how these bids work in practice:
Opener | Responder | Opener | Responder | ♠ KJ5 ♥ AJ ♦ QJ98 ♣ T975 | ♠ 976 ♥ KQ52 ♦ K7 ♣ Q642 | ♠ J76 ♥ JT7 ♦ AQ ♣ KQ876 | ♠ QT85 ♥K985 ♦ J76 ♣ A2 | 1♣ 1♥= 2 to 3 ♥’s & 11-13 1NT = To Play | 1♦ = Transfer to ♥ 1♠ = Denies 4 ♠’s P | 1♣ 1♥ = 2 to 3 ♥ & 11-13 P | 1♦ = Transfer to ♥ 1NT = 4/4 in Majors 6 to |
Opener | Responder | Opener | Responder | ♠ K82 ♥ QT9 ♦ KQ832 ♣ K8 | ♠ J742 ♥ K7 ♦ AJ9 ♣ T976 | ♠ KJ73 ♥ Q97 ♦ A432 ♣ K9 | ♠ Q986 ♥A6 ♦ 75 ♣ QJ876 | 1♣ 1♠ = 2 to 3 ♠ & 11-13 | 1♥ = Transfer to ♠ 1NT = To Play 6 to 11 | 1♣ 2♠ = 4 ♠’s & 11-13 | 1♥ = Transfer to ♠ P |
Opener | Responder | Opener | Responder | ♠ AJ8 ♥ JT6 ♦ QJ7 ♣ A432 | ♠ T976 ♥ KQ5 ♦ 3 ♣ QJ765 | ♠ 987 ♥ AQ5 ♦ K65 ♣ K865 | ♠ 65 ♥J64 ♦ QT8765 ♣ AJ | 1♣ 1♠ = 2 to 3 ♠ & 11-13 | 1♥ = Transfer to ♠ 2♣ = 5 ♣’s, Offers a choice of a 5 -2 or better ♣ fit or a possible 4 -3 ♠ fit | 1♣
1NT = Balanced 11 - 13 | 1♠ = Multiple options refer to previous table
2♦ = 6 ♦’s no 4 card major |
Summary This initial article on transfers over 1♣ openings has explained one of the more popular versions of the one level transfer responses and the rebids available to opener. As in all transfer methods the key advantage of playing transfers is the opportunity to describe different hand patterns with the second round of bidding.
The practical examples above aim to provide the flavour of how this can work after a 1♣ opening.
The next article will discuss some of the options available for 1NT and two level responses to 1♣ openings when employing transfers.
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