Jacoby Transfer with Stayman Combined

The origin of this concept is unknown. This convention or treatment is employed by many partnerships and has become part of the partnership agreement. The concept began when it was realized that one convention would not suffice when holding a specific distribution of 5-4 in both Major suits. The agreement is that Stayman is first used and if this concept works and the partnership finds a fit, then the problem is solved. If no fit is found after employing Stayman, then the Jacoby Transfer convention is employed.

Illustrations

The following illustration should clarify this concept.

North   South   Meaning
   
KQ754
KJ98
Q5
98
   
1 NT   2   Stayman
2   4   A fit has been found.

As mentioned, if a fit after employing Stayman is found immediately, then the problem has been solved and the final contract has been established. But assume that the No Trump bidder responds as in the following illustration:

North   South   Meaning
   
KQ754
KJ98
Q5
98
   
1 NT   2   Stayman
2       No fit.

The responder knows that the No Trump bidder has at least one 3-card Major suit and the problem arises, how to find it. The partnership agreement is to employ both Stayman and Jacoby Transfer conventions. The responder then bids his 5-card Major suit. This is the information that the responder wishes to communicate to the No Trump bidder, that he holds a 5-card Major suit and a 4-card Major suit. The bidding sequence would then be as follows according to the holding above:

North   South   Meaning
1 NT   2   Stayman
2       No fit.
    2   A normal bid promises a 5-card Spade suit and a 4-card Heart suit.
    3   A jump bid promises game values and is game forcing.

If the responder bids on the same level, then this rebid is generally considered to be non-forcing, showing values less than game-going values. If the No Trump bidder prefers to play in the 5-card suit of the responder, then the No Trump bidder will pass, even with a maximum holding. If the No Trump bidder prefers to play in the other known Major suit, then the No Trump bidder may take a preference.

Note: The partnership understanding can also be established that the No Trump bidder be allowed to bid 2 No Trump if the No Trump bidder knows that there are no entry problems or similar features of the combined hands, but this is considered to be an individual agreement.

If the responder jumps one level to show his 5-4 distribution in both Major suits, then this rebid is considered to be forcing to game. The No Trump bidder is not allowed to pass without reaching game. The No Trump bidder takes his preference of playing in a possible 5-2 fit or in a possible 4-3 fit, or in No Trump.

Partnership Agreement to show a 5-5 Distribution in both Major Suits

The employment of this treatment also allows the partnership to show a holding, whereby the responder holds a 5-card suit in both Major suits. This is simply an extension of this treatment. For example, the responder has the following holding:

KQ754
KJ986
Q5
9

Several bidding auctions would proceed as follows:

Auction 1

North   South   Meaning
1 NT   2   Jacoby Transfer
2       Acceptance of the transfer bid.
    2   Promises also a 5-card Spade suit and is invitational.
    3   Promises also a 5-card Spade suit and is game forcing.

Auction 2

North   South   Meaning
1 NT   2   Jacoby Transfer
2       Acceptance of the transfer bid.
    3   Promises also a 5-card Heart suit and is invitational.
    4   Promises also a 5-card Heart suit and is game forcing.

Agreements

Note: There are different opinions as to the strength indicated by the bidding shown by the responder. In the above example, some partnerships have agreed that the rebid on the two level of 2 Spades, as in the first example, shows weakness and that the No Trump bidder can pass or take a preference, even to the three level, but not to game. If, on the other hand, the responder jumps to 3 Spades, as in the Auction 1, then this is considered to be game-forcing and the No Trump bidder may not pass.

In Auction 2 above, the rebid of 3 Hearts on the three level is, by individual partnership agreement, generally considered to be non-forcing and the No Trump bidder can pass or take a preference. If the responder, however, jumps to 4 Hearts, the four level, then this is game-forcing and the No Trump bidder can pass indicating a preference or bid 4 Spades, which again is a preference.

 

 

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.



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