By Val Rhead
More about bidding transfers and Stayman
For the past two weeks, we have been studying the various ways an opening No- Trump bid can lead to either a No-Trump or a suit contract. A One-No-Trump opening by partner should not instill fear in a player, as it sometimes does in newer players. It provides an opportunity to discover the best way to make the most profitable contract with the assets you have in your hands.
The One-No-Trump Opener holds 15 to 17 points (We’ll discuss how to handle other point ranges next week.) The Opener has balanced or semi-balanced distribution. Sometimes the No-Trump Opener even has a singleton (restricted to an Ace, King, or a Queen.)
If the responding hand contains only one five-card or longer major suit (six-card or longer minor suit) and any number of points (even zero), the Transfer bid may be used.
If the hand contains two five-card major suits the Transfer strategy becomes very different depending on the point count. With less than eight points, a Transfer is made by Responder for his strongest five-card major suit or six-card minor suit. When the Transfer is completed by Opener, Responder then will Pass and the contract will be a suit part-score with at least a seven-card fit.
With 8-9 points and two five-card majors, a transfer bid is made for the higher-ranking suit. For example, if the hand contains five Hearts and five Spades, the bid would be Two-Hearts (Transfer to Spades). Of course, Opener would announce that it was a Transfer and then complete the Transfer to Two-Spades on the opening hand’s rebid. Then Responder with 8-9 points would bid his five-card Heart suit (Three-Hearts) inviting Opener to choose a game. Opener makes the final decision with the information given by Responder. Responder’s bid of Three-Hearts, a new suit, is forcing. Opener could bid Three-Spades or Four-Hearts or Four-Spades. With ten points or more, Responder would take the contract to a game in Opener’s preference suit. Without ten points, Responder now would Pass.
Remember from last week that after the opening One-No-Trump bid, the Responder may bid Stayman if his hand contains at least eight points and at least one four-card suit. If the Responder’s hand has at least eight points and no four-card or longer major suit, a raise to Two-No-Trump may be used. With ten points, a raise to Three-No-Trump may be used for the probable game.
Now what does the Responder do when the hand contains both a four-card and a five-card major suit and 8-9 points? Responder would first bid Stayman. There is a more sophisticated way of handling this, but in the interest of maintaining the KISS formula (Keep it Simple Sweetie) we won’t delve into that. If the hand contains at least eight points then Two-Clubs, Stayman, is bid. With fewer points, Responder Transfers to the five-card major or six-card minor and then Passes after Opener completes the Transfer.
If the Responder bids Stayman with his 5-4 in the major suits, the Opener would continue the bidding in normal Stayman fashion bidding a major if he has one. Without a major, Opener bids Two-Diamonds denying a major. Now Responder bids his five-card major knowing that the partnership has at least a seven-card fit. Responder now has guaranteed both at least 8-9 points and a five-card major. In addition, Responder has bid a new suit which is forcing. Opener must now bid again!
My apologies if all this seems a bit complicated. Trying to explain two conventions (Stayman and Transfers) at the same time in one hand is challenging. However, after looking at the hand, decide whether you are going to handle it by using Stayman or Transfers, and then proceed by following the rules for that convention only. Next week’s column will be an easier read.
If you wish to promote an activity in your Bridge group or ask a Bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will try to include it in this column.
NEW SOCIAL BRIDGE GAME IN HUNTSVILLE
Games are at the Canada Summit Centre, Thursdays, 7pm.
PLEASE NOTE that our NEW VENUE for Bridge DURING THE SUMMER is the Summit Centre “Don Lough Warming Area”. This room is located on the second level of the Summit Centre accessible by taking the right-hand stairs (elevator) after Passing through the main entrance. The room does not have a kitchen; hence, please bring your own beverage (we will still provide snacks).
Just come – with or without a partner. Please arrive 10 minutes before game time.
For information, please contact Donna or Peter Tikuisis at 647 471 1774 or [email protected].
For now, this game will be played following Chicago Rules (allowing both fast and slow games). You will keep your same partner for the entire evening. Cost is $1.50 per person.
PORT CARLING SOCIAL BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Port Carling Social Bridge Club are Monday evening 7pm at the Port Carling Community Centre, 3 Bailey Street. Please arrive with your partner at least 10 minutes before game time.
For information, contact Andree or Scott 705-764-3827 [email protected]
Results for Monday, July 22, 2019 1. Jeanette & Hans Heeneman 3,600 points; 2. Mary Lee & Creg Johnson 3,440 points; 3. Laura Woods & Greg Piasetzki 3,250 points
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games are Tuesday 7pm Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive with your partner at least 10 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Jan Roberts 705 635-2522 or email [email protected]
The following winners are for Tuesday, July 23, 2019 with 15 pairs playing a Howell movement 1. Liz Graham and Sandy Graham; 2. Diane Taylor and Martin Taylor; 3. Liz Barnes and Betty Fagin; 4. Gerry VanLierop and Ron Groulx; 5. Jacqueline Britz and Joel Britz; 6. Yvonne Cox and Dorothy Russell; 7. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon; 8. Jill Boschulte and Yutta Savoia
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays 7pm, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. Please arrive with your partner 10 minutes before game time.
The following winners are from Monday, Jul 22, 2019 with 23 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Gerry Flaherty and Ralph Hair; 2. Jean Sinclair and John Sinclair; 3. Jinty Stewart and Jane Insley; 4. Jennifer Thompson and Sheila Robinson; 5. Andrea Killackey and Joan Stock; East-West 1. Sandy Retter and David Scarlett; 2. Gwen Jocelyn and Mary Mitchell; 3. Joanne Garvey and Jim Smith; 4. Donna Tikuisis and Peter Tikuisis; 5. Bea Chafee and Mildred Syron
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