4 Suit Transfers

      Four Suit Transfers (i.e., "4ST") are easy enough to understand.  Opposite Partner's 1NT opening we have:

2 = Standard Jacoby Transfer to Hearts.

2 = Standard Jacoby Transfer to Spades.

2 = Transfer to Clubs.

2NT = Transfer to Diamonds.

      In the case of the latter two transfers, Opener can bid the intermediate step as an encouraging "in between" bid. 

      The basis of such encouragement may vary from pair to pair. 
      (1)   Some will take it as promising any maximum. 
      (2)  Others will agree that it merely guarantees 3+ card support for Responder's long suit. 
      (3)  A third group may say that it shows both a maximum and 3+ card support for the promised suit. 

      Should this come as sufficient encouragement to Responder, Responder will bid Higher than that suit as a game or slam effort.

Opener	Responder
1NT	2NT	= 5+ (usually 6+) Diamonds.
3	3	= Heart card, game or slam try.

      Most who play Four-Suit Transfers play them opposite 2NT openings, too. 

Opener	Responder
2NT	3NT	= Forcing transfer to 4.

      "If 1NT:2NT shows Diamonds and forces as far as 3♦,
what does Responder do with a normal flattish hand that wants to raise Opener's Notrump opening by one level ?"
      Answer: Responder must bid 2♣, Stayman, alerting and explaining it as "not promising a four-card major". 

Responder

x x

x x x

A Q 10 x

K 10 9 x

Respond 2♣ to Partner's 15-17 1NT opening so as to rebid 2NT, inviting 3NT. 
      In case Partner has opened a 20-21 point 2NT, be careful not to raise to 3NT !  Bid 3♣, then 3NT. 

      The question arises as to what Notrump Opener does with 4-4 in the majors.

Opener Responder 1NT 2 2 2NT

Opener Responder 2NT 3 3 3NT

"After 1NT:2♣:2♥:2NT, or 2NT:3♣:3♥:3NT, should Opener bid the Spade suit ?"

      Answer: No.  Responder's Notrump rebid over Opener's Heart call denies 4 Spades.  With 4 Spades, Responder must rebid them:

Opener Responder 1NT 2  = Stayman, not promising a major. 2 2NT  = Denies a major, else 2.

Opener Responder 2NT 3  = Stayman, not promising a major. 3 3NT  = Sign-off, denying a major.

      Here is the tricky part:

Opener	Responder
2NT	3
3	3
??

After 2NT:3♣:3♥, the 3♠ rebid by Responder may be a "ST TOMAS" slam try in Hearts, or a search for a 4-4 Spade fit. 
      3♠ does not necessarily promise 4 Spades. 
      Now, if Opener does have 4 Spades, Opener should cuebid a minor (if maximal), or rebid Hearts (if minimal). 
      Otherwise, Opener bids 3NT.

      Study this auction carefully:

Opener	Responder
2NT	3	= Stayman, not promising a major.
3	3	= 4 Spades and/or a slam try.
??

3NT = Denies 4 Spades.

4 = Club cuebid, 4 Spades, max.

4 = Diamond cuebid, 4 Spades, max.

4 = 4-4 in the majors, minimum.

Opener	Responder
2NT	3
3	3
3NT	4

      After 2NT:3♣:3♥:3♠:3NT, a 4♥ bid by Responder is a slam try in Hearts, but rebids of 4♣ or 4♦ are ambiguous; Responder may have Spades and Clubs, or be cuebidding towards a Heart slam.
      For this reason, pairs may wish to consider Hearts as trump for the purpose of any RKCB 4NT inquiry subsequent to 2NT:3♣:3♥:3♠.

      Four-Suit Transfers can be very useful in solving the age-old problem of Responder wanting to know if 1NT Opener has 3+ card support for the long suit.

Responder

x x

A x

K 10 9 x x x

x x x

This responding hand may produce anywhere from seven to eleven tricks, depending on 1NT Opener's Diamond support.
      Without Four-Suit Transfers, we might just close our eyes and raise 1NT to 2NT, or even to 3NT.
      Playing Four-Suit Transfers, though, we can bid 2NT and proceed towards 3NT, only if Opener encourages us with a 3♣ "in between" bid.

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