Responder's Request for Transfer after the 2 NT Opening
Yellow Card Bidding System Mantra ● First, determine which suit to play - then determine the contract level to play. ● Try to play a contract in the following priority:
1) Play a MAJOR suit contract.
2) Play a NO TRUMP contract.
3) Play a MINOR suit contract as a last resort.
As soon as the OPENER bids 2 NT , the partner (RESPONDER) knows what the final contract for the partnership will be. The responder knows the opener has 20 to 21 HCPs, no 5-card major and balanced, and knows the contents of its own hand. The opener does not have the big picture, so the opener must rely upon the responder to control the bidding and set the final contract.
With a 5+card major suit, the responder makes a request for a TRANSFER bid, which is an artificial bid that is one hierarchy step below the desired major suit. This is a signal for the opener's next bid to be the desired major suit. The opener accepts the transfer and bids the desired major suit first, thus becoming the DECLARER of the desired trump suit. The declarer's next bid sets the partnership's contract level. At the end of the bidding, the responder lays down its hand as the DUMMY for all players to see. However, the declarer's hand, which is stronger, remains hidden from the opponents. The partnership can play a contract in that major suit - which is the first priority for Yellow Card.
Examples of Transfers for a 2 NT opening
If the responder wants hearts to be the trump suit, the responder will bid 3 ♦ or 4 ♦ (Texas Transfer) , one hierarchy step below hearts. This bid asks the opener to "transfer the bidding" to hearts. The responder does not want to play diamonds. The responder wants the opener to bid hearts so the opener will be the declarer of the heart trump suit. The opener accepts the request to transfer the bidding to hearts and bids 3 ♥ or 4 ♥ respectively. The opener is the declarer of the hearts trump suit and will keep its hand hidden from the opponents.
If the responder wants spades to be the trump suit, the responder will bid 3 ♥ or 4 ♥ (Texas Transfer) , one hierarchy step below spades. This bid asks the opener to "transfer the bidding" to spades. The responder does not want to play hearts. The responder wants the opener to bid spades so the opener will be the declarer of the spade trump suit. The opener accepts the request to transfer the bidding to spades and bids 3 ♠ or 4 ♠ respectively. The opener is the declarer of the spades trump suit and will keep its hand hidden from the opponents.
Responder's Requirements for a Transfer
Suit Length: Must have a 5+card major suit (hearts or spades). Bid the longer major suit. If the number of hearts and spades are equal, bid the higher ranking spades. Ignore both minor suits, even if one of them is longer.
Point Count: There is NO point count requirement. The responder can have zero points in the 5+card major suit, and can still make a transfer bid to that major suit. The responder does not have to have HCPs in the trump suit.
Transfer Process - 4 Bids
Bid 1: Opener bids 2 NT .
Bid 2: The responder's request for transfer depends upon which 5+card major suit the responder has, and the length of that major suit.
Bid 3: Opener transfers to the desired suit at the level indicated by the responder in bid 2.
Bid 4: Responder reveals its point count and finalizes the contract level.
When the partner holds 13+ HCPs, the partnership has enough points for a slam. The partner has two options on how to explore the possibilities of a slam:
• Bid 4 ♣ - Gerber. This artificial bid is asking for the number of opener's Aces.
• Bid 4 NT - Quantitative Invitation. This is a natural bid that is asking for the opener's points.
Visit the web page on Invitation to Slam.
