This Week in Bridge
(595) Transfer Wolff Over 2NT Rebids
© AIB Robert S. Todd
Level: 10 of 10 robert@advinbridge.com
General
Transfers have become a larger and larger part of both competitive and constructive bidding. Transfers help with playing the contract from correct side, but they are also effective in searching for a fit while keeping the auction at a low level. One auction where transfers by Responder can be helpful is after Opener has started with a suit opening bid at the 1-level (1X) and then made a jump rebid of 2NT – showing a balanced hand with 18-19 points. Let’s see how transfers by Responder in this auction can help our side describe our hands in the limited space below 3NT. This treatment replaces Modified Wolff Signoff after a 2NT rebid.
Transfers by Responder Over 2NT Rebids
Here we look at the six possible auctions that begin 1X – 1Y – 2NT.
1♣ 1♦ 1♣ 1♥ 1♣ 1♠
2NT 2NT 2NT
1♦ 1♥ 1♦ 1♠ 1♥ 1♠
2NT 2NT 2NT
We will see that we treat most of these auctions similarly. Let’s look at an example in detail.
Example 1
Opener Responder
1♣ 1♠
2NT __?
3♣* Modified Wolff Signoff, Relay to 3♦, (see below for hand types)
3♦* Game Forcing Transfer, 4+card ♥, looking for M suit fit
3♥* Game Forcing Transfer, 5+card ♠, looking for ♠ fit
3♠* Game Forcing Transfer, 5+card ♣, slam try, willing to go past 3NT
3NT To Play
4♣ Gerber (or Minorwood)
4♦ Self-Splinter, 0-1♦, 6+♠, slam try
4♥ Self-Splinter, 0-1♥, 6+♠, slam try
4♠ To Play
Modified Wolff Signoff 3♣* Bid
As we can see, most of these transfers are used with game forcing hands. What if we have a weak hand as Responder and want to correct to a partscore below 3NT? We have some options for accomplishing this using the special 3♣* relay bid called Modified Wolff Signoff.
Example 2
Opener Responder
1♣ 1♠
2NT 3♣*
3♦* __?
Pass Pass with a 5+card ♦ and a weak hand. Example shape 4-1-5-3.
3♠ Responder rebidding their suit is an effort to play there. Showing 5+card ♠ and about 5-6 HCP. Opener can raise this auction to game, but it is rare.
Using Wolff as a Slam Try
There are another couple of bids (at least) that can be used after this 3♣* relay bid – 3NT or an unbid suit below 3NT. Remember that we already have a way to make a slam try in ♣ by bidding 3♠ directly. We also want to have a way to make a slam try with a long ♦ suit (this is particularly useful when partner has opened 1♦).
Example 3
Opener Responder
1♦ 1♠
2NT 3♣*
3♦* __?
3♥* Slam try in ♦ with ♥ shortness.
3NT Slam try in ♦, usually no shortness (may have shortness with mild slam try).
4♣ Slam try in ♦ with ♣ shortness (and strong enough hand to go past 3NT).
4♦ Minorwood in ♦.
4M Exclusion in ♦
Opener’s Rebid After Transfer by Responder
After we make a game forcing transfer then Opener knows about our shape and values, so they do not need to thoughtlessly accept our transfer. Instead, Opener should describe their hand the best they can.
Example 4
Opener Responder
1♣ 1♠
2NT 3♥*
__?
3♠ 3-card ♠, normal bid with a fit.
3NT 2-card ♠, normal bid without a fit
4♠ 3-card ♠, minimum, usually no outside controls (no interest in slam).
4m 3-card ♠, cuebid, strong hand, cooperating for slam.
Note: Some players may play 3♠ as “default bid with 2-card support” and play 3NT as 3-card support and an offer to play – Choice of Game (usually 3334 shape).
Example 5
Opener Responder
1♣ 1♥
2NT 3♦*
__?
3♥ 3-card ♥, normal bid with a fit.
3♠ 2-card ♥, 4-card ♠, natural
3NT 2-card ♥, not 4-card ♠, natural
4♥ 3-card ♥, minimum, usually no outside controls (no interest in slam).
4m 3-card ♥, cuebid, strong hand, cooperating for slam.
Other Examples
Responder 4-4 in the Majors
Opener Responder
1m 1♥
2NT 3♥*
With 4-4 in the Majors Responder needs to continue to look for a ♠ fit. This is a done by transferring to ♠ by bidding 3♥*. This is game forcing with 4 cards in each Major. Opener usually bids 3♠, 4♠, or 3NT.
Another example that can be tricky is when the auction starts with both Majors.
Opener Responder
1♥ 1♠
2NT __?
3♣* Relay to 3♦, to stop in ♦, ♥, ♠ OR slammish in ♦ -- 3NT, 4♣.
3♦* Game Forcing, 3-card ♥, usually a slam try.
3♥* Game Forcing, 5+card ♠ (Opener bids as above).
3♠* Game Forcing, 5+card ♣, slammish.
3NT To Play
4♣ Gerber
4♦ Self-Splinter
4M To Play
Conclusion
These transfer bids by Responder after Opener’s 2NT rebid showing 18-19 points add a significant amount of complexity to our bidding system. but this approach allows us to show partner many types of hands in the limited space between 2NT and game. This approach to combining transfer responses with a Modified Wolff Signoff gives us a powerful tool for finding a fit and exploring slam in this jammed up auction. Take some time to practice this system and give it a try with your regular partner!