4 Suit Transfers

In Gerry’s structure 1NT-2NT is natural and invitational (using Stayman for this just gives the opponents information on how to lead and defend). 1NT-3D is played natural and invitational. Minor two-suiters are shown by bidding 1NT-3H or 3S with 5-4 and a singleton major or by transferring to clubs and then bidding diamonds with 5-5 and a jump to 4S as Minor Stayman. 1NT-2S begins our four-suit transfers.

2S = Transfer to 3C: a club bust, invitational with clubs or starting a forcing sequence.

2NT = Shows a non-minimum with a good fit in clubs and usually with stoppers.

Responses:

3C = To play with no game interest.

3D = Natural, showing five or more clubs and usually five diamonds, game forcing.

New Suit = Cue bid in support of clubs

3H or 3S = Shows shortness

3NT = To play, no stopper problems and a minimum

4 of the minor = Shows stopper problems for 3NT, may not have slam interest.

3NT = To play with just enough strength opposite a non minimum and a good fit.

New suit at the 4-level = Showing shortness with good clubs and slam interest.

4C = Roman Key-card with clubs as trumps.

3C = Denies a maximum with a good club fit (usual response).

Pass = Shows at least six clubs & no game interest after the discouraging 3C response

 3D = Natural showing five or more clubs and usually five diamonds, game forcing.

New Suit = Cue bid in support of diamonds.

3H/3S = Shows shortness

3NT = To play. Denies slam interest or stopper problems.

4 of the minor = Shows stopper problems for 3NT and no sure slam interest.                             

Responses: Roman Key responses with slam interest, bid 5C without.

3NT = Shows a balanced hand with five clubs and slam interest.

4C = Roman Key-card with clubs as trumps (4D if playing Kickback)

4D/4H/4S = Splinters with six or more clubs, a stiff or void and slam interest.

4NT = Shows a balanced hand with six clubs and slam interest..

5NT/6C = Balanced; 5NT: Pick a slam (5 clubs) or 6C: Pick a slam (6 clubs).

2NT = Natural and invitational (in other versions of 4-Suit Transfers, 2NT begins the transfers).

3C = Transfer to 3D. After 3D:

Pass = Shows a diamond bust.

3H/3S = Shows five or more diamonds and shortness in the bid major, forcing.

3NT = Shows a balanced hand with five diamonds and slam interest.  

4D = Roman Key-card with diamonds as trumps. (4H if playing Kickback)

 4C/4H/4S = Splinters with six or more diamonds, shortness and slam interest.

 4NT = Shows a balanced hand with six diamonds and slam interest.

 5NT/6D = Balanced; 5NT: Pick a slam (5 diamonds) or 6D: Pick a slam (6D).

3D = Invitational to game with a six-card suit. My preference is with poor suit (w/o the ace).

3H or 3S = Shows five-four in the minors with a stiff in the major and is game forcing.

If opener bids 4C/4D, denying no-trump stoppers in your stiff, you can bid game or try for slam. A 3NT response is usually passed but with slam interest, you can bid 4C with five clubs or 4D with five diamonds, but if you bid 4NT, it denies a stiff  and if you have bid 3H: 4NT = 2-2-4-5 and if you have bid 3S: 4NT = 2-2–5-4.

With interference at the 2-level, above 2C (and suit is not available at the 2-level):

2NT = Transfer to 3C. With AKx or AQx and stoppers, opener could gamble on 3NT.

3C = Accepts the transfer. Denies AK or AQ 3^rd and good stoppers.

3D = Natural and forcing, at least five clubs and four diamonds,

3H and 3S is forcing, showing shortness in the bid major

Responses:   New Suit = Cue bid in support of clubs.

3NT = To play and denies any slam interest or stopper problems.

4 of the minor = Shows a fit with stopper problems and no slam interest.

3NT = Six+ clubs and no stopper in their suit. Opener passes with stoppers or bid clubs.

4C = Invitational to 5C with a hand unsuitable for no-trump.

4D/4H/4S = Splinters showing long clubs, a stiff or void and slam interest.

4NT = Slam invitational to either clubs or notrump (accent on clubs).

3C = Transfer to 3D. With AKx or AQx and stoppers, opener could gamble on 3NT.

3D = Accepts the transfer. Denies AK or AQ 3^rd and good stoppers.

3H/3S = Showing shortness in the bid major and is game forcing.

Responses: Same as above.

3NT = Six+ diamonds and no stopper in their suit. Opener passes or bids diamonds.

4D = Invitational to 5D with a hand unsuitable for no-trump.

4C/4H/4S = Splinters showing long diamonds, shortness and slam interest.

4NT = Slam invitational to either diamonds or notrump (accept on diamonds).

3D = Transfer to 3H. If 2H was available at the 2-level, this bid is invitational or better.

If 2H was available at the two-level:

3H = Shows all minimums.

3NT = Shows only two hearts and a maximum.

4H = Shows at least three hearts and a maximum.

If 2H wasn’t available at the two-level:

3H = Accepts the transfer on all hands without a maximum and a good fit in hearts.

4H = Shows a good fit in hearts and you are at the top of your no-trump range.

3H = Transfer to 3S. Shows an invitational or better hand with at least five spades.

Since 2S was available at the two-level:

3S = Shows all hands that are not maximums.

3NT Shows only two spades and you are on the very top of your no-trump range.

4S = Shows a maximum and at least three spades.

3S = Shows five-five or more in the minors with at least distributionally invitational values.

3NT = To play (see note 2 below).

Four-level bids: Retain their original systemic meanings, ignoring the overcall.

Notes:

1. With game values, a long minor & a major you can make a 2-level neg. dbl & if no fit, bid the minor.
2. Transfering into the suit overcalled by the opponent is Stayman.
3. There are other variations, some more complex, on how to play 4-suit transfers, but these are

Gerry’s basic 4-suit transfer structures, which have been developed and expanded and, as a whole, seem to have substantial advantages over standard no-trump sequences.