Dubious Logic

2NT: Transfers and after

There was another successful squad evening last week that should tide the team over until the next season. Though Suffolk have finished all their matches there are a few results from elsewhere that could affect the final standings. Come what may, the 'A' team look to be headed for their best ever finish and the 'B' team are rumoured to be champions of their division. It is hearsay only as written notification has yet to reach the league secretary but be assured I will keep you informed.

There were no unifying themes to be discerned from the most recent match so each deal was scrutinised in its own right. This board provided ample discussion.

At most tables – except those playing a strong club – West opened with two no-trump. Now even those players dismissive of modern gadgets accept the benefit of transfer bids and each East bid three diamonds, what now? If you play transfers you should not be hidebound to 'accept' the request – merely bid the next suit. True, you should never seek to rescue partner with your balanced hand, but if you have a fit then he or she deserves to know. Over one no-trump you should direct your attention to finding game but here, as any bid other than three hearts take you beyond it, you will show your disposition to slam. So while having hearts as trumps is perfectly acceptable to West, is the hand good enough to suggest a slam?

On balance I think not. You are unlikely to miss game if East passes (though it is possible) and your flat shape and lack of a fourth trump limits the number of tricks your hand is worth. But let's say you did deem it worthy of a slam try, what then? As you will have a good hand to open two no-trump, you invariably have controls aplenty – it makes little sense to bid your cheapest ace. After all why is Axx better than KQJ10? This is why you often hear the phrase 'a source of tricks' in the named suit. I suggest the following scheme;

The rationale is that you use the most expensive bid to show the most defined hand and the cheapest (3♠) to show the widest definition. In this way if responder is still interested knowing of four card support opposite, he can continue to cue bid (and for the sophisticated, can re-transfer, here with 4♦, when he is weak). The same scheme, one level higher, can be adopted for a three heart transfer showing spades.

Back to our hand. The debate wasn't over even among those that were happy with a three heart bid by opener. What should responder do now, introduce those feeble clubs? I really don't think there is much choice about it. Here it might lift opener a little and perhaps the last judgement call is here – West should not meekly bid the heart game now but four diamonds, a last-train, surely some sort of cue bid but not necessarily first round control. It is the last chance opener has to show he likes the developments to date. That should be enough to get East on the slam hunt with four spades and that looks after West's worries.

Published Saturday 24.Mar.2001