© 2000, 2008 Glen Ashton BridgeMatters
[Introduction]
This is a system structure for weak or mini-notrumps that employs second round transfers, but no Jacoby transfers or Stayman. It is designed to give responder many tactical approaches including either describing an unbalanced hand, asking opener only the necessary questions, or placing the contract quickly.
[Overview]
After 1NT:
2§: Asks for 4©s (but does not promise ©s, just asks).
2¨: Asks for 4ªs (but does not promise ªs, just asks).
2©, 2ª: To play, often not four in the other major.
2NT: GI, no four card major.
3§: Signoff, both minors.
3¨: Asks for weak doubleton major.
3©, 3ª: Singleton/void in other major, at least 5-5 in minors.
3NT: To play.
4§: Gerber.
4¨: Both minors, singleton/void in both majors.
4©, 4ª: To play.
4NT: Slam invite.
5§, 5¨: To play.
After 2§ and 2¨ asks, 2NT & three level suit bids are transfers to the next suit bid. After the replies to 2§ or 2¨, responder can bid:
2NT: transfer to §s.
3§: transfer to ¨s.
3¨: transfer to ©s.
3©: transfer to ªs.
3ª: transfer to notrump (choice of contracts).
3NT: To play.
4§: RKCB in major suit that was asked by responder.
4¨: Ace ask (Gerber)
4©, 4ª: To play.
4NT: Slam invite.
5§, 5¨: To play.
[1NT-2§ asks for 4©s]
After 1NT-2§ asks for 4©s:
2¨: not 4©s
2©: asks for 4ªs.
2ª: not 4ªs.
Pass: 5+ªs, 4+©s, signoff.
2NT: GI, balanced.
3m: GI with long minor.
3©: GF 5+ªs, 4+©s.
3ª: GI 5+ªs, 4+©s.
3NT: to play.
2NT: 4ªs, minimum
Pass: balanced without 4ªs.
3m: GI with long minor.
3©: transfer to ªs.
3ª, 4ª, 3NT: to play.
3m: 4ªs, maximum, but would not accept GI in this minor.
Pass: to play with long minor, GI.
3©: transfer to ªs.
3ª, 4ª, 3NT: to play.
3ª: 4ªs, maximum, would accept GI in either minor.
Pass, 3NT, 4ª, 5m: signoffs.
2ª: GI, 5+©s.
2NT: would pass 1NT-2¨-2©-2NT standard Jacoby.
Pass: GI, relatively balanced.
3X: NF, shape showing.
3§: maximum, GF. New bids explore for best game.
3©: would signoff in ©s opposite GI with 5©s.
new bids: exploring for best game.
4©: accepts GI in ©s.
2NT & above: transfers to next suit and etc..
2©: 4©s.
Pass: signoff.
2ª: GI values, may have 4ªs or long minor or both.
2NT: minimum, not 4ªs. Now 3m shows GI long minor.
3m: maximum and/or 4ªs, but would not accept GI in this minor.
3ª: shows GI, 4ªs.
Pass, 3NT: to play.
3©: maximum, 4ªs and would accept GI in either minor.
3ª: minimum, 4ªs and would accept GI in either minor.
3NT: not 4ªs, maximum, would accept GI in either minor.
Note: Generally opener avoids the 3m responses if any other bid close.
2NT & above: transfers to next suit etc.
Note 1NT-2§-2©-3¨(transfer to ©s) shows GI or better, so opener completes transfer to 3© with minimum only.
[1NT-2¨: asks for 4ªs.]
1NT-2¨ asks for 4ªs. Not with 4ªs exactly and GI (then use 1NT-2§).
After 1NT-2¨:
2©: not 4ªs.
2ª: GI with 5ªs. Now natural bidding.
2NT & above: transfers to next suit etc.
2ª: 4ªs.
2NT & above: transfers to next suit etc.
Note 1NT-2¨-2ª-3© (transfer to ªs) shows GI or better, opener completes transfer to 3ª with minimum only.
[Other over 1NT]
1NT-2M: signoff, often not 4 in OM.
Opener to raise to 3M with 4 in M, and a doubleton in the other major, or a weak doubleton in a minor.
1NT-2NT: GI, no four card major.
3§: suggests playing in either minor because of a major suit weakness.
3¨: suggests playing in ¨s because of a major suit weakness.
1NT-3§: signoff, both minors, opener passes or bids 3¨.
1NT-3¨: asks for weak major suit doubleton, bid 3NT if neither.
Over 3NT, 4m slam try with both minors, no major suit singleton.
1NT-3M: singleton/void in OM, 5-5 or better in minors, forcing only to 3NT or 4§.
1NT-3NT: to play.
1NT-4§: Gerber.
1NT-4¨: GF, both minors, singleton/void in both majors, asks for major suit cuebid with ace.
1NT-4M: to play. To transfer use 2§,2¨ and retransfer first.
e.g. 1NT-2¨-2©-3©(transfer)-3ª-4ª.
[Using the System]
It takes time to get use to a system without Jacoby transfers and Stayman, but there are lots of interesting sequences that take their place:
1) To signoff in minor, pick either 2§ or 2¨ then after opener’s rebid transfer to the minor to signoff. Often use the minor you bid to stop opponents from doubling.
Examples: 1NT-2§-2©-2NT(transfer)-3§.
1NT-2¨-2ª-3§(transfer)-3¨.
However can bid other minor if weak in major suit that is asked or any other tactical reason.
1NT-2§(hearts?)-2¨(no)-3§(transfer)-3¨.
2) To show a three suited hand, short or weak in a major, ask in the long major, then transfer to clubs, and show diamonds.
Example: 1NT-2¨-2ª-2NT-3§-3¨: showing heart shortness/weakness.
3) To show a three suited hand short/weak in a minor, but not 4+ in both majors, ask in the best major, transfer to the minor, and then bid the other major.
Example: 1NT-2§-2¨ or 2©-3§-3¨-3ª: implies short/weak in clubs, better ©s than ªs.
4) To show a long minor, shorter in a major, ask in long major, transfer to the minor, then bid 3NT. Example: 1NT-2§-2¨ or 2©-2NT-3§-3NT: long clubs, short spades.
5) To invite game with a four card major or both, ask in hearts, then in spades (even if only holding one of the majors, not both), then if no four card fit found, bid 2NT.
Example: 1NT-2§-2¨-2©-2ª-2NT: GI, had four hearts or four spades or both.
In standard Stayman, this sequence would be 1NT-2§-2¨-2NT, but here we have to ask each one in turn.
6) To offer choice of game between four or a major and 3NT holding five in the major, use the 3ª transfer.
Examples: 1NT-2§-2¨ or 2© -3ª: shows five hearts, offers choice between 3NT and 4©.
1NT-2¨-2© or 2ª-3ª: shows five spades, offers choice between 3NT and 4ª.
7) With 4-4 in the majors, GI or better, ask in hearts, then if not four hearts, ask in spades.
Example: 1NT-2§-2¨-2©.
8) With 5-4 or 6-4 in majors signoff, ask in shorter first.
So 4-5 in majors. 1NT-2¨-2©-pass!
5-4 in majors. 1NT-2§-2¨-2©-2ª-pass!
9) With 6-4 in the majors, GI, ask in shorter first, then show longer.
Examples: 4-6 in majors: 1NT-2¨-2©-3©.
6-4 in majors: 1NT-2§-2¨-2©-2ª-3ª.
10) With 5-4 either way in the majors, GI, either bid as 7) or 9).
11) With 5-5 in the majors, GI or better, ask in spades, then transfer to hearts.
Example: 1NT-2¨-2©-3¨. Opener picks major, jumping to 4M to accept GI.
12) With 5+ªs, 4©s, game going or better, ask in hearts, then spades, then rebid 3© if necessary.
Example: 1NT-2§-2¨-2©-2ª-3©.
13) With 5+©s, 4ªs, game going or better, ask in hearts, then transfer to spades, and bid notrump or
show shape as appropriate.
Example: 1NT-2§-2¨-3©-3ª-3NT: five hearts, four spades, choice of games.
14) To show singleton/void with long major, slam try, ask, transfer to it, then show shortness.
Example: 1NT-2¨-2© or 2ª-3©-3ª-4©: long spades, singleton/void in hearts.
15) To show singleton/void with long major, second suit, slam try, ask, transfer to second suit, then show shortness at four level if possible.
Example: 1NT-2¨-2© or 2ª-2NT-3§-4©: spades, clubs, and singleton/void in hearts.
16) To show two suits for choice of game, ask, transfer to second suit, then rebid major.
Example: 1NT-2¨-2© or 2ª-2NT-3§-3ª: spades and clubs, choice of game.
17) To show invitational two suiter with 5 in a major, use invitational 2ª bids after ask.
Example: 1NT-2§-2¨-2ª-2NT-3§: hearts and clubs, GI values.
18) To invite game with long minor, always go through 2§, then 2© if no heart fit.
Example: 1NT-2§-2¨-2©-2ª-3§: GI with long clubs.
19) To invite game with 4ªs, always go through 2§.
Examples: 1NT-2§-2¨-2©(asks).
1NT-2§-2©-2ª(asks).
20) To invite game with both minors, pick best bid of 3§ (signoff), 3M (other major splinter), the GI with long minor sequences, or 1NT-2NT.
[Using the structure with the ETM Tops System]
Opposite passed hand playing light openings (8+ majors, 10+ minors, 10-12 mini-notrump), 1NT opening shows 10-15 with at least three cards in each minor.
The following changes are made to the response structure:
1NT-2§-2¨-2ª: 5ªs, 4©s signoff.
1NT-2¨-2¨-2©: 6+©s, GI.
1NT-2¨-2©-2ª: 6+ªs, GI.
1NT-3m: GI, long minor.
1NT-2NT: 4-4 in majors, 4 or 5 clubs, 8 to 10 HCP.
1NT-2¨-2© or 2ª-3¨: 4-4 in majors, 4 or 5 diamonds, 8 to 10 HCP.
© 2000, 2008 Glen Ashton BridgeMatters