[Phil]

Qxx xx AQTxxx Qx

1N - (2♣) - ?

2♣ is clubs and a higher suit. You play systems on, of course.

[JLOGIC]

3 nizzle

[Free]

3NT

[fromageGB]

X. Transfer to diamonds. Why do I want to play "systems on"?

[fromageGB]

Playing "systems on", 3♣ transfer to diamonds.

[Cyberyeti]

Your choice of whichever is the forcing way of bidding 3♦ or whichever version of 3N denies a stop in your version of Lebensohl.

If you play completely systems on, transfer to ♦.

[JLOGIC]

What is the plan after transferring to diamonds? Bidding 3N to show a slam try lol? Or does that show a partial stopper in clubs these days?

[JLOGIC]

Just let them lead something. Even if partner has no A or K or J or Txxx of clubs, the odds of making 5D is really low. And since they have a 2 suiter they will often not lead a club, or they might lead low from AKxxx, etc.

And, AFAIK, transferring to diamonds and bidding 3N does not show no club stopper.

Edit: And even if partner has xxx clubs, and they lead a club, sometimes clubs are 4-4 and we have the rest of the tricks. I really don't get trying to avoid 3N with Qx of clubs when they show a 2 suiter, even if there was some way to do it.

[PhilKing]

Transferring to diamonds is terrible for another reason - it gives them a chance to double 3♣.

We could be off the heart or club suits and we have now guaranteed they will find the best lead. A direct raise makes the overcaller guess.

The bottom line is that exploration, even if it were possible, is a mistake, since the information we gain is unlikely to help us, but will often aid our opponents.

[JLOGIC]

PhilKing, on 2013-January-20, 15:57, said:

Transferring to diamonds is terrible for another reason - it gives them a chance to double 3♣.

We could be off the heart or club suits and we have now guaranteed they will find the best lead. A direct raise makes the overcaller guess.

The bottom line is that exploration, even if it were possible, is a mistake, since the information we gain is unlikely to help us, but will often aid our opponents.

In USA transfer to diamonds usually means 2N. But it does let LHO raise to 3C. Ofc we could use clarification from Phil, he didn't even say he played transfers as his system

[PhilKing]

JLOGIC, on 2013-January-20, 16:06, said:

In USA transfer to diamonds usually means 2N. But it does let LHO raise to 3C. Ofc we could use clarification from Phil, he didn't even say he played transfers as his system

Yep - missed the "system on" bit. Was thinking of Rubensohl type auction (although I still play 2NT as diamonds).

[Phil]

You can assume your system. 4 suit transfers, Walsh stuff or w/e.

[aguahombre]

With all systems on, I agree with JL on the 3NT Convention suggesting we play in 3NT.

[chasetb]

Oh no, Bob Hamman is already having a negative influence on JLall - he has him following laws now!

Seriously, bid 3NT and it's not even close. I bet we can make 9 tricks before they can make 5, and if we can't, I highly doubt we can make 11 anyway.

[fromageGB]

My plan was transfer to diamonds and then rebid 3NT (neither shows nor denies a stop, but suggests a place to play, nor (with opposition bidding) suggesting a slam), which lets partner make a decision if they bid over that. I am content for them to lead a club, so do not mind a lead directional double, and that is the most likely lead anyway without a double. It may help partner decide to take it out to diamonds when he has nothing in clubs. I stop in 4♦ if he bids it.

I think this is far better than 3NT direct, which puts me in a terrible place when they bid 4♣. Do I then pass, double, or bid diamonds? Much better to let opener make that decision, knowing my hand.

[PhilKing]

fromageGB, on 2013-January-21, 06:12, said:

I am content for them to lead a club, so do not mind a lead directional double, and that is the most likely lead anyway without a double.

Absent a double, would they not now lead a heart?

[fromageGB]

Or a spade. Certainly possible, but I don't have the option in my methods of making a natural forcing ♦ bid and following it with 3NT. I want to bid 3NT, and I want to show the diamonds so partner can play there if he prefers.

[PhilKing]

My guess is that we are off the heart suit and that over a transfer to spades partner would have superaccepted to 3[s] with AKJx Jx KJx Kxxx getting us to 4[s] (breaking 5-1, of course).

[steve2005]

We play systems on over 2♣ so:
3♣ (transfer to ♦ or 2N if that is your transfer) 3♦
3♥ empty doubleton or slam try with 0-1 ♥
now opener can judge to play in 3N or 5♦
with a real mess endup in 4♦
maybe with AKxx of ♠ bids 3♠ and find 4-3 4♠

[mycroft]

X (puppet to 2♦) then 3♦ NAT INV.

What, I'm not playing a weak NT?