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Jacoby Transfers
"Transfers" otherwise known as Jacoby Transfers, is a convention when you (as
responder after your partner's No Trump opening bid) request that opener bids the suit ranked the next suit
higher than the suit just bid by you.
The purpose of a Jacoby transfer bid when you play Bridge is to have the strong hand
be declarer and therefore have their hand concealed from view. The bid is artificial and if
you and partner have agreed to play transfers your partner must not pass the transfer bid
whatever their holding in the suit.
Transfers occur after a NoTrump opening bid from partner; partner 1NT or 2NT. You holding a 5 card suit in either but not both of the major suits make your transfer bid. Since your partner's 1NT opening promises a balanced hand it will have at least two cards in your desired suit.
1. You bid 2 diamonds - signalling partner that their next bid must be the heart suit suit - i.e.the next highest ranked suit up from diamonds.
2. If you bid 2 hearts, this signals partner that their next bid must be the spade suit.
Traditionally before playing transfers responder holding a 5-card major suit you'd bid two, three or four of that suit depending on your strength.
*Note:Opener can super accept the transfer by bidding three of the major suit if they have
a maximum hand with a fit.
1. Transfers and Stayman become inoperative and all 2-level bids are for take-out. This has the advantage of simplicity.
2. Alternatively, after a takeout double all Transfers and Stayman systems are on - known as 'systems on'.
-2♥ = means partner transfer to spades
-2♠= means partner transfer to clubs
Playing transfers with all the various options is something you should agree with your partner in advance.
Transfers occur after a NoTrump opening bid from partner; partner 1NT or 2NT. You holding a 5 card suit in either but not both of the major suits make your transfer bid. Since your partner's 1NT opening promises a balanced hand it will have at least two cards in your desired suit.
Examples of Transfer Bids
Partner opens 1NT:1. You bid 2 diamonds - signalling partner that their next bid must be the heart suit suit - i.e.the next highest ranked suit up from diamonds.
2. If you bid 2 hearts, this signals partner that their next bid must be the spade suit.
Traditionally before playing transfers responder holding a 5-card major suit you'd bid two, three or four of that suit depending on your strength.
Opening Bid |
Responders Transfer |
Openers Rebid |
| 1NT | 2D | 2H |
| 1NT | 2H | 2S |
| 2NT | 3D | 3H |
| 2NT | 3H | 3S |
A Disadvantage of Playing Transfers
The disadvantage of transfers is the loss of the ability to make a weak take out into 2♦ after a 1NT opening.Transfers following a double
Following a double (i.e. partner opens 1NT and intervening opponent doubles), there are two options:1. Transfers and Stayman become inoperative and all 2-level bids are for take-out. This has the advantage of simplicity.
2. Alternatively, after a takeout double all Transfers and Stayman systems are on - known as 'systems on'.
Transfers following an intervening bid
Standard bidding in most systems Acol and SAYC is that all responses following a natural suit overcall are
themselves natural bids, this is sometimes described as "systems off."
An alternative is that such responses, including 'double' (X), are included as transfers. For example, following a 1NT opening and the opponents make a 2♦ overcall:
-double "X" of the 2D overcall can mean partner transfer to heartsAn alternative is that such responses, including 'double' (X), are included as transfers. For example, following a 1NT opening and the opponents make a 2♦ overcall:
-2♥ = means partner transfer to spades
-2♠= means partner transfer to clubs
Playing transfers with all the various options is something you should agree with your partner in advance.
Partner Opens 1NT and you have agreed to play Transfers
What should you bid with this hand
- ♠ K J 9 8 7 6
- ♥ J 4
- ♦ T
- ♣ T 7 5 4
Bid 2H - showing a 5+ card spade suit and asking partner (the stronger hand) to bid 2S. After they have done this you need to work out