[Hanoi5]

So, let's say I open 1♣ with a balanced 17+ hand. Partner transfers:

a. To a Major: and even though I have 3-card fit I'd like to know if we have 4-4 in the other major, do I bid NT? Is the same NT structure on (stayman, transfers, etc)? Even over 2NT?
b. To a Major: and I have no fit. I bet 1NT for 17-19, but is the NT structure on (stayman, etc)? What about over 2NT? Can 1NT or 2NT be limitless once partner has shown a positive hand?
c. To a minor: and even though I have or not fit I want to find a 4-4 or 5-3 in a Major, 1NT or 2Nt as above? Same structure on?

[PrecisionL]

a) Rebid 1NT and if responder is 5-4 or better, he will pattern out. You can choose for partner to continue to transfer and bid 1-under his 2nd suit or re-transfer to first suit (showing 6) so acceptance of transfer is a BETA Ask for controls. A bid of NT shows clubs as a secondary suit.

Example: 1♣<!-- SPACE begin --> <!-- SPACE end -->- 1♥<!-- SPACE begin --> <!-- SPACE end -->(5+♠) - 1NT - 2♥<!-- SPACE begin --> <!-- SPACE end -->(=4♠<!-- SPACE begin --> <!-- SPACE end -->+ 5♥) and 2♠<!-- SPACE begin --> <!-- SPACE end --> or 3♥ is now Beta for Controls setting the suit as trumps.

b) Rebid 1 or 2NT and same as (a).

c) Same as above.

[Mbodell]

a) Complete the transfer (in my methods, which is an immediate beta controls and shows 3+). If you care about shape and wanting to find all your 44 fits switch to a relay method. I'd only not complete the transfer with 3+ if I had my own very good 6+/7+ suit.

nt just means balanced hand. you are unlimited. You don't need to play the same system over nt responses, after all you are in a gf already.

c) same as b.

[Hanoi5]

So if you don't play the same system what do you play? Just natural?

[Mbodell]

Hanoi5, on Jan 6 2010, 05:50 PM, said:

So if you don't play the same system what do you play? Just natural?

yep, natural at least until a suit is bid and raised. Then CAB and TAB and what not if you can. But often it is useful just to bid naturally.

[Hanoi5]

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Is it wrong to use a transfer structure for two suited (or 5440) hands?

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What about here? Natural? Is using the normal 2NT structure (puppet, xfers, baron) bad? How does responder show his high card strength (opener is 'unlimited')? Or is it opener who shows his/her HCP's?

[PrecisionL]

Hanoi5, on 2011-June-11, 16:57, said:

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Is it wrong to use a transfer structure for two suited (or 5440) hands?

Two suited hands are easy with transfers and relays (delay Beta until later). You can make 3-suiters work with relays and artificial 3-suited replies by responder. With a 5cd major, you can pattern out to show the 3-suiter. With 4441 or 5m440 responder replies 2♥ with any 4441 and 2♠ with 5m440 to the 1♣ opener.

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What about here? Natural? Is using the normal 2NT structure (puppet, xfers, baron) bad? How does responder show his high card strength (opener is 'unlimited')? Or is it opener who shows his/her HCP's?

I would reserve a jump to 2NT as a specialized ask, so rebid 1♠ or 1NT to facilitate distribution showing. Garozzo recommends: Bridge is a game of suits - distribution is king (i.e. he no longer plays Blue Team Club).