Transfers Everywhere
There have been may developments in bidding methods since the early days but few have the almost universal acceptance of transfers over no-trumps.
Something is lost when a natural meaning is replaced by an artificial one and the change must pay its way for that cost. Transfer bids of diamonds for hearts and hearts for spades are worthwhile but the commonly held belief that it is because it protects the no-trump hand is largely unfounded. True, over two no-trump there is a case and perhaps over a strong no-trump - but after a weak one? Here any game hand will be at least as strong as the 12-14 HCP it faces and it is largely a guess who has the assets most in need of protection from the opening lead. As for partials, the opponents are likely to get the lead from either side in any case.
The principal advantage arises from a more orderly auction; the transfer gives opener "something to do" while responder describes their hand. If you have five of a major, a balanced hand and the values for two no-trump, you have a hand that is inexpressible playing natural responses. All you have lost is the ability to play two diamonds but gained better definition for your game-invitational and game-choice hands.
It's no surprise to see transfers popping up elsewhere. Enjoying a vogue at the moment are transfers in reply to an opening one club. This has been championed by the Italians and has British exponents, notable Townsend and Gold from the English Open Team. Transfers are also available to help with competitive hands as this deal from a recent Gold Cup match shows:
| EW Vul. Dealer South | ♠ 75 | ||
| ♥ AQJ1043 | |||
| ♦ 9753 | |||
| ♣ 8 | |||
| ♠ K62 | ♠ QJ1093 | ||
| ♥ 92 | ♥ 87 | ||
| ♦ KQ | ♦ AJ106 | ||
| ♣ AQ10943 | ♣ KJ | ||
| ♠ A84 | |||
| ♥ K65 | |||
| ♦ 842 | |||
| ♣ 7652 | |||
| West | North | East | South | |
| Pass | ||||
| 1NT1 | 2♥2 | 3♥3 | Pass | |
| 3♠ | Pass | 4♠ | End |
1. 14-16 HCP
2. Hearts and a minor(!)
3. Spades - invitational or better (2♠ was available for weak hands)
Curiously it was the lead here that settled matters: north led his singleton but west won and hastily set about divesting himself of hearts on diamonds. South was able to ruff the fourth but the last heart went away and there was no further defence.
In the other room, it was east who declared the spade game. South led his partner's suit of course and two rounds were cashed before north switched to his club. Declarer tackled trumps but south stepped up briskly with the spade ace to give his partner a ruff for the setting trick and 12 IMPs for transfers.
Published Saturday 2.May.2009