Jacoby Transfers

What are Jacoby Transfers?

Jacoby Transfers are conventional responses to a notrump opening. Responder bids the suit below their long major, asking opener to bid that major.

After 1NT, 2 usually transfers to hearts and 2 transfers to spades.

The transfer promises at least five cards in the major but says nothing yet about strength. Responder may hold anything from a hopeless weak hand to a slam try; the next bid tells the story.

Why use transfers?

Transfers let the notrump opener, usually the stronger hand, become declarer. They also give responder more room to distinguish weak, invitational, game-forcing, and slam-interested hands with a long major.

• The notrump opener usually declares, keeping strength hidden.
• Responder can stop in two of a major with weak hands.
• Responder can transfer first, then show a second suit or invite game.

Responder continuations

After the transfer is accepted, responder clarifies the hand. Passing shows a weak hand. Bidding 2NT or 3 of the major is usually invitational. Bidding game shows enough for game.

In standard methods the notrump rebids imply exactly five cards in the major, while raising the major promises six or more, so opener knows whether an eight-card fit is guaranteed.

• Pass: weak, content to play two of the major.
• 2NT: invitational with exactly five cards in the major.
• Three of the major: invitational with six or more cards.
• 3NT: game values with exactly five cards, offering a choice of games.
• Four of the major: game values with six or more cards; many pairs bid these hands directly with Texas Transfers instead.

Super-accepts and second suits

With a maximum notrump hand and four-card support for responder's major, many pairs allow opener to super-accept instead of simply completing the transfer. That gives responder a better picture before choosing game or slam.

When responder transfers and then bids a new suit, many pairs treat the new suit as natural and game-forcing. This is one of the major advantages of transferring first: responder can show both length and strength without guessing immediately.

• Transfer then pass is weak and signoff-oriented.
• Transfer then 2NT or three of the major is invitational in many methods.
• Transfer then a new suit is often natural and forcing to game.
• Transfer then 3NT usually offers a choice between 3NT and four of the major.

Transfer auctions by strength

Jacoby transfers are not just for weak hands. The first transfer shows length; the second bid shows strength and shape.

Hands that choose different continuations

Responder should picture the second bid before transferring. A weak one-suiter, an invitational five-card major, and a game-forcing two-suiter all begin the same way but continue differently.

Transfers in competition

When the opponents overcall opener's 1NT in a suit, many partnerships turn transfers off and switch to their defensive framework, such as Lebensohl. After a double, many pairs keep transfers on, but this needs explicit agreement.

If the transfer bid itself is doubled, often to suggest a lead, opener can complete the transfer with three-card or longer support, pass with a doubleton, or redouble to suggest penalties, all by agreement. When opener passes, responder can bid the major suit directly or choose another call.

Common mistakes

FAQ

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