Practice Hand 2 · Bidding · Deal 10 from A Bridge Guide, Ch. 26
Why bid 3♥ after the transfer instead of jumping to 4♠?
North · 1NT Opener
17 HCP
South · Responder
11 HCP
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass | 1NT | Pass | 2♥ |
| Pass | 2♠ | Pass | 3♥ |
| Pass | 4♠ | Pass | Pass |
| Pass | — | — | — |
Solution
South holds 5 spades AND 4 hearts. By bidding 3♥ after the transfer, South is saying: "I have 5 spades and 4 hearts — partner, you choose the best fit."
North holds 3 spades and 3 hearts. Both fits are equal in length (8 cards each), so North chooses on quality: the spade honours (♠AJ3) are stronger than the heart honours (♥K84). 4♠ it is.
If North had held 4 hearts and only 2 spades, North would have chosen 4♥ instead. The point is that South gives North enough information to find the best contract every time.
Always transfer to the 5-card major first, then show the 4-card major at the next opportunity. This sequence gives opener two pieces of information — both of your majors — before the partnership has to commit to a strain.
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