[MrAce]

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I just realized, i never used or saw my opponents using this bid. Seems like it creates very valuable space for picture hands that takes some of the weight from system on bids. But b4 i abuse my partners and their memory i decided to ask u guys n gals to learn more about it.

1- If you are playing system on, what hand types do you use this bid for ?

2- Does pd have to complete xfer in opps major as a relay so u can get it out of your chest whatever u planned to at the first place ?

3- If answer is yes to #2, what are 2♠, 2 NT, 3♣,3♦ etc etc bids mean by responder ?

4-If answer is no to #2, when does he complete xfer and when not ?

Thanks in adv

[whereagles]

I play "system on" so that bid for me is a transfer to hearts, i.e. a cue-bid. It asks for a stopper in hearts (we don't require a stopper to overcall 1NT).

1♥ 1NT pass 2♦
pass ..?

Pard does not have to complete "transfer". Rather, he bids:

2♥ = 1/2 stopper
2NT = full stop
else = natural, no stop

Regards,
where

[helene_t]

Undiscussed

I think the best use is natural. Actually I am in favor of playing 2♣ as natural as well. 2♥ is spades and 2♠ is stayman. But even if 2♣ is stayman, 2♦ could easily be natural.

Of course, if opps suit is spades then it would be redundant to play 2♥ as natural and 2♦ as transfer. If p insists on playing system on then 2♥ (when opps have spades) could be natural and invitational. Then you transfer with weak hands and with GF hands.

[gnasher]

I usually play system on, but only because it's easier than discussing alternatives.

I have used this sequence as:
- Showing hearts
- Exactly invitational with five spades
- Three-suited with short hearts
- Four spades and a longer minor, invitational

[han]

Three suited short hearts.

[dake50]

Two immediate thoughts:
2D ->H now ->S; so 2H is Q-bid takeout.
OR
2D ->H is Q-bid takeout; 2H ->S.

I don't like their bid taking xfers away -
I still want the likely tenaces to declare.

[aguahombre]

whereagles, on 2011-March-30, 04:31, said:

I play "system on" so that bid for me is a transfer to hearts, i.e. a cue-bid. It asks for a stopper in hearts (we don't require a stopper to overcall 1NT).

1♥ 1NT pass 2♦
pass ..?

Pard does not have to complete "transfer". Rather, he bids:

2♥ = 1/2 stopper
2NT = full stop
else = natural, no stop

This. However, since it is only used when raising pard's NT, overcaller can bid 2 or 3NT with a real stop.

[OleBerg]

System on (transfer). Shows a game-force with no other good bid. Could easily be three-suited with short hearts.

[wank]

i think it's worth it to put your normal 1NT response structure in the bin, making responder declarer on all these hands if you play outside NT.

when 1 defensive hand is strong and the other's weak by putting the strong hand on lead you're way ahead imo

[aguahombre]

wank, on 2011-March-30, 12:14, said:

i think it's worth it to put your normal 1NT response structure in the bin, making responder declarer on all these hands if you play outside NT.

when 1 defensive hand is strong and the other's weak by putting the strong hand on lead you're way ahead imo

If the only reason for the NT response structure were to right-side the contract(s), that might have merit. But, the structure also allows us to show various strengths and shapes that an all-natural style of responses would lose.

[nigel_k]

I just use it to show 5+ hearts. This gains when they psyched or, more likely, when I or my partner would have forgotten what the alternative meaning was.

[kayin801]

nigel_k, on 2011-March-30, 12:45, said:

I just use it to show 5+ hearts. This gains when they psyched or, more likely, when I or my partner would have forgotten what the alternative meaning was.

This seems right for a 4th seat overcall.

This is also undiscussed for my partnership, 3 suited short hearts looks best but you could also use analogously what a lot of people use after (2♥)-2NT where:
2♣ = ♦
2♦ = ♠
2♥ = stayman
2♠ = ♣

[aibZ]

When I play 'systems on', I generally play this as a checkback for a stopper in their suit. I agree with whereagles' rebid structure above.

I'm not of the opinion that transfers are all that important in this situation though. Yes, all other things being equal, you want the strong/tenacy hand to be led around to. But I think it's more important to have opener on lead - their strong/tenacy hand having to lead away from stuff. So given my choice, I'd play 2level new suits are nonforcing, 3level suits forcing, cuebid stayman.

[aibZ]

aibZ, on 2011-March-31, 12:01, said:

So given my choice, I'd play 2level new suits are nonforcing, 3level suits forcing, cuebid stayman.

But I would definitely play systems on in the auction

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Thus getting opener on lead.

[aguahombre]

just the opposite for us. Nothing on after pard makes a balancing 1NT, but systems on over pard's direct NT. Gives us three ranges (NF, invite, GF-rather than only two). Billy Miller's range ask, if the balancing NT is 12-16, is probably worthwhile. But we are still in the fuddy duddy niche.

[FrancesHinden]

After the direct seat overcall, we play transfer to opener's suit forces overcaller to complete, it is either

- long hearts (passes 2H or bids 4H), or
- game forcing, 3-suited with very short hearts (bids something else)

[MrAce]

Thank you all for your helps and responses.