[kenrexford]

My thoughts:

First, I like something that involves transfers after transfers. The simpler version I have used I called Minor Suit Smolen.

Second, that's not critical here. Although it gains in the sense of right-siding, using 3D to agree clubs is as efficient as using 3D to agree diamonds.

Third, I would reserve 3♦ to agree whichever minor 3♣ shows. I want to reserve the other major as natural after a 3♣ second suit call, to cater to 5431's. I would use the other major to agree whichever suit 3♦ shows. If Responder has a 5431 holding with the minor that 3♦ shows, hopefully we use 3♣ as a specialized puppet that allows showing 5-3/3-5 in the majors.

If partner bids 3♦ in this sequence, then it makes some sense to play 3♥ and 3♠ as a probe/cue ambiguous, bidding the other major as a cue/probe and the same major as a probe/cue for the unshown minor. I would tend to isolate the cue meaning (or shape), but I may tend toward overly slam oriented in an auction like this.

With the actual hands, Opener would be able to bid 3♥ as a natural call, showing the fifth heart. Had Opener held one fewer hearts and one more club, he'd bid 3♦, showing club support. Responder could then bid 3♥ as a cue (or NT probe) or 3♠ as a diamond cue/probe.

Lacking that technique, I agree that Responder should limit out at 3NT. If 3♥ was natural, then 3♠ should agree hearts, IMO, and be a cue (two top spades, heart support, slammish). If 3♥ was a cue/probe, then 3♠ would seem to be a cue in furtherance of the implied club fit, and clearly too strong an action.

[whereagles]

mikeh, on Oct 9 2007, 11:32 PM, said:

That's a bad rule, imo.

You can file your complaint with Ron Klinger, which is where I got it from

Anyway, just to clear it out, bidding a stopper doesn't necessarily mean 100% misfit. Just that the hand prefers to try for 3NT before embarking on the minor suit game/slam. So I guess we play it more or less the same way in the end.. lol.

[pclayton]

I have a question for those with more experience with transfer extensions:

1N - 2♥ - 2♠ - 2N - 3♥

Do you think this promises 5 hearts? I would think so, since opener can just accept with clubs and cue later if necessary.

[awm]

It seems like over 1nt-2♥-2♠-2nt(clubs):

3♣ = shows club fit
3-red = no fit, values in the bid suit, worried about other red suit
3♠ = shows spade fit
3NT = strength in the reds, no fit, want to play 3NT most of the time

After 1nt-2♥-2♠-2nt-3♥, responder bids 3NT with diamond cards. Note that this denies holding three hearts, and is frequently a heart singleton (5-1-3-4). If responder bids something other than 3NT (to deny diamond cards) then 4♥ by opener can show the five hearts.

Typically I actually play relay in these auctions instead of natural followups though.