Transfers (Officially known as “Jacoby Transfers”)
After a1NT (12 -14pts) opening, a bid of “2♦/♥” is a Jacoby Transfer
INT - 2♦: Shows a 5-card Heart suit Opener MUST Bid 2♥
INT - 2♥: Shows a 5-card Spade suit Opener MUST Bid 2♠
(These Bids promises no strength whatsoever)
After Opener accepts the Transfer, you should proceed as follows:
Minimum Hands (0-10 points) Simply pass the transfer
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - Pass 0-10pts.
4♥: Shows 10+ Points and a 6-card suit (Opener should pass)
3NT: Shows 12+ Points and a five card suit
(Opener should bid 4♥ with 3 card support)
3♥: Shows 10 or 11 points and a 6 card suit
(Opener should bid 4♥ with 12-14 points)
2NT: Shows 11 points and a 5 card suit
(Opener should bid 4♥ with 12-14 points)
1NT - 2♥ - 2♠ - Pass 0-10pts.
4♠: Shows 10+ Points and a 6-card suit (Opener should pass)
3NT: Shows 12+ Points and a five card suit
(Opener should bid 4♠ with 3 card support)
3♠: Shows 10 or 11 points and a 6 card suit
(Opener should bid 4♠ with 12-14 points)
2NT: Shows 11 points and a 5 card suit
(Opener should bid 4♠ with 12-14 points)
The above is based on Week No Trump (12 – 14pts) adjust for strong (15 -17pts)
Please Note that 2♠ over1NT is showing 11pts and not considered as part of “Jacoby Transfer”
Responses to Partners weak NT opening
Opener Responder
1NT 2♣ Usual “Stayman looking for majors
2♦ Transfer to 2♥ showing 5♥
2♥ Transfer to 2♠
2♠ Exactly 11pts and No 5 Card Major
2NT Exactly 12pts
3♣/♦ 16+pts showing 5 card major Forcing
3NT 16-18pts No 5 card major
4C Gerber asking for Ace count
4NT Exactly 20pts
(Asking partner to bid 6NT with 13/14pts pass with 12pts)
(With 19pts bid 2♠ initially if partner bids 2NT sign off in 3NT)
(If Partner Jumps to 3NT (14pts) now bid 6NT)
Remember you need a minimum of 33pts between both hands to bid a small slam (6NT) when not using ACE-asking convention