M J Bridge

Bidding

Home

Hands

Conventions

Theory

Hand

A4

Context

S & S.C.B.A - league 2008

Dealer

South

Methods

Transfer, transfer break, 2NT transfer break, natural overcall, Lebensohl double

Vulnerability

None




N

7 6 5

A 9 6 3 2

A Q 5

J 9


S

K T 4

K Q 7 4

K T 3

K 5 4


W

Q J 8 3 2

J T

J 8 2

T 8 3


E

A 9

8 5

9 7 6 4

A Q 7 6 2

Opening 1NT, transfers, transfer break

With four-card support for partner’s hearts South must break the transfer.

W

N

E

S




1NT

-

2

-

3

-

4

-

-

Post-beginner to intermediate

What happens?


With both of South’s black suit Kings sitting behind East’s Aces NS should have no trouble coming to ten tricks in hearts, usually losing one club and two spades.

Note that in the present case the contract of 4 should be found with or without a transfer break.


3NT will also make for the same reason, but it is an inferior contract.  After a black-suit lead it is a lay-down.  On a red-suit lead declarer should clear the red suits discarding a club from the South hand, and finishing in the North hand.

When he then leads to the T, West cannot help but concede the ninth trick.


If West is left in 2x he will usually make 6 tricks for a loss of 300 - a bargain on the day.

Opening 1NT, natural overcall, Lebensohl double

West is light for his overcall in my book, but some will be tempted non-vulnerable.

Double by North shows invitational values (in principle for take-out).  With fourteen points, two tens and a spade stop South must accept the invitation.  His cue-bid promises four hearts.

W

N

E

S




1NT

2

x

-

3

-

4

-

-

Intermediate and above

Opening 1NT, transfers, 2NT transfer break

In this version South’s 2NT transfer break promises four-card support in a maximum hand.

A jump to 3would show four-card support in a minimum hand.

Recommended.

W

N

E

S




1NT

-

2

-

2NT

-

4

-

-

Previous hand

Next hand