What is T Walsh?

T Walsh is one of a family of systems characterized by the following:

The 1♣ opening includes all balanced hands that are not within the partnership's notrump ranges. 

Responses to 1♣ are transfers.

The 1♦ opening is always unbalanced.

Beyond this, things diverge considerably. There is not a "standard" T Walsh. The version that my partners and I play started out fairly similar to an online version but diverged quickly and contains a lot of agreements about special sequences.

Why play T Walsh?

For the version that we play,

• Much more compatible with light openings and 14-16 1NT than 2/1 is
• Allows safety in very light (0+) responses
• Strong 1NT rebid allows all 1NT tools that you wouldn't have after 2NT rebids in "standard" systems
• Allows a systemic light 3rd seat 1NT when non-vulnerable
• Transfers conceal holdings in opener's hand
• The 1♦  opening is unbalanced
• With unbalanced 1♦ , can play transfer rebids by opener that allow much more complete description of wide range of hand types
• The main disadvantage of T Walsh is that the 1♣ opening becomes ambiguous as to whether you really have clubs

If you're interested in learning more about our system or in having individual lessons or partnership coaching on this tournament-tested approach, please contact me.