Jacoby Transfers

Jacoby Transfers were developed so that the no trump bidder would be declarer and that all the opening leads would be coming into the strong hand, and that the strong hand would be concealed.

A Jacoby Transfer is an artificial bid. Again you are not showing that you have the suit that you bid.  You bid a suit at the two level, of the suit below your major suit.

An Example would be

1NT – 2 H – 2 hearts shows at least five spades and unknown point count

1NT – 2 D – 2 diamonds shows at least five hearts and unknown point count

The transfer is an instruction, a ‘relay’ –

A bid of 2D says “ partner bid 2H”

A bid of 2H says “partner bid 2S”

It does not ask partner if he has three spades or three hearts, it does not ask if he wants to play in 2 of a major – it simply requires partner to make the forced bid.

Responders’ later bids show the strength of his hand and the length of his suit.

After partner opens a NT and you transfer the bids are simple.

 

N        S

1N – 2D

2H – Pass says I have a bad hand but long hearts

         3H says I have 8-9 Points and six or more hearts

         2NT says I have 8-9 points and five hearts

         4H says I have 10-14 points and six or more hearts

         3NT says I have 10-14 points and five hearts

 

N        S

1N – 2H

2S – Pass says I have a bad hand but long spades

         3S says I have 8-9 Points and six or more spades

         2NT says I have 8-9 points and five spades

         4S says I have 10-14 points and six or more spades

         3NT says I have 10-14 points and five spades

 

In the cases where responder rebid 2NT or 3NT,  the No Trump opener can then decide (based on whether or not he has three card or more support in the major) whether to play in a suit or NT.

A new suit by responder at the three level shows game forcing values and a natural second suit (usually a five card suit).

If you have a five (or six) card major and a four card major, bid Stayman - not Jacoby.