Jacoby Transfer

Author: Larry Cohen
Date of publish: 05/01/2013
Level: Beginner to Intermediate

After our side opens 1NT, there are many possible ways to go. At the end of this introductory article are 4 deals to practice and links to more complicated issues.

 

The easy part of the responses to 1NT:

2? = Stayman

2? = Jacoby Transfer (5+?)

2? = Jacoby Transfer (5+?)

After that, you can consult the links at the end of this short article.

 

Stayman should be used only with game invitational strength.  Exception: Responder can be very weak and intend to pass anything opener does (this means responder has to be prepared to play in 2?, so can use Stayman, with say: ?5432 ?5432 ?65432 ?--.)

 

With 5-4 in the majors and enough for game, start with Stayman.
With 5-5 in the majors and enough for game, start by transferring to spades, then bidding hearts.

Make sure you know if your partnership uses Texas Transfers.

More on all of this at the end.

 

For now, here are 4 deals to try -- they all have interesting points to the play of the hand:

 

1 Which Suit and How?

2 Your 50-50 Chance

3 Take All Your Chances

4 A Mirage 

 

Further discussion:

Jacoby or Texas?

Filling out the Convention Card after 1NT

LC Standard for 1NT