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Exit transfers


although various implementations might differ in detail.


When your opponents don’t interfere your most powerful tool is your transfer system.


Not surprisingly, many partnerships choose to retain this feature following RHO’s double.

When your hand is weak it will still put the declarer play in the stronger hand, it will enable the availability of more constructive sequences, and it will provide some consistency of method.


A redouble has now become available and this means that a cheap transfer to clubs can be added to the basic system of transfers.


The transfer responses


The extended set of transfers is therefore:-


Redouble transfer to clubs;

2          transfer to diamonds;

2          transfer to hearts;

2          transfer to spades.


Each of the above promises at least five cards in the suit.


In this implementation Stayman has ben sacrificed, and so we are now able to make a weak escape into either clubs or diamonds at the two-level.

9 6 2

T 8 3

8 7

K 8 5 3 2

Partner opened 1NT and RHO doubled.

Redouble.

Partner will convert the transfer to 2, and you will pass.


The forcing pass and reopening redouble


The questions which arise are:-


how do I show some strength in a hand which does not contain a five-card suit?


and


what do I do with a weak hand and no five-card suit?


The solution is to incorporate a forcing pass.

Following an opening 1NT, an immediate double, and two passes, opener must reopen with a redouble.


If you hold some strength (say a minimum of about eight points) you will pass this redouble to play in 1NTxx.

If you are weaker than this you will start the search for a 4-3 or better fit by bidding your cheapest four-card suit.

A K 5

T 9 7 3

Q T 6 4

8 6

Partner opened 1NT and RHO doubled.

Pass.  Partner must redouble if the bidding comes round to him, after which you will pass again.  Any subsequent double by you or partner as the opponents try to escape will be for penalties.

A 7 5

T 9 7 3

Q T 6 4

8 6

Partner opened 1NT and RHO doubled.

Pass.

Partner must redouble if the bidding comes round to him, after which you will bid 2 (your lowest four-card suit) as you search for a cheap escape.


The one exception to this will be when you hold precisely 4-3-3-3 shape.

In this case bid 2 in response to partner’s reopening redouble (whichever your four-card suit might be) and pass any correction of this bid by partner. A seven-card fit is all but assured.

Intermediate and above

Opener’s first bid

This page last revised 30th Aug 2021

Context  -  Responder - partner opened 1NT - RHO doubled (natural).

Opener’s rebid

Post intermediate and above

Stronger hands


Hands with the prospect of a game contract will be rare.

And even if you have this maximum holding, your preferred action will usually be to play in 1NTxx or to exact a penalty as the opponents run for safety.


However, a transfer followed by a further bid can clearly be used in a constructive manner.  If the further bid is in a new suit then it should be played as forcing for at least one round.


Alternatively play the transfer responses as ‘always weak’ and adopt a further convention to show strong hands.


stronger hands

Intermediate and above

Evaluation


Exit transfers provide a consistency of method with the uncontested auction, place the declarer play in the stronger hand, and also provide the potential for a number of constructive sequences.


However, they lose out to Halmic and Helvic when it comes to weak escapes with two four-card suits or 4-3-3-3 shape because of the fewer sequences available.


Any one of Halmic, Helvic, or SWINE will serve you well.


Take your choice, though for the record I like Halmic.