This device in a competitive auction originated with Mr. Eric Victor Rodwell, who was born May 1, 1957, and is an American professional bridge player. Mr. Eric Rodwell was born in the city of San Francisco, California, United States, but later his parents relocated to West Lafayette, Indiana, United States in the year 1965. His bridge career, as reported by his parents, began when he was age eleven. He is presently a full-time bridge professional and resides in Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States.

Reason For Transfer Bid

The idea behind the concept of Transfer Bid For Lead occurs in specific situations and bidding auctions, in which the opposing side competes. In order to defend against an opposing bid in a competitive auction it becomes necessary in several situations to decide and/or to indicate early in the auction that the lead should be determined in advance in the event that the opposing side declares.

The following holding will illustrate the necessity for and the remedy for this course of action in the bidding sequence:

Example 1
West		North		East		South
						J43 84 KQJ5 9752	Meaning
1							Promises opening values.
		Double					A definite competitive action.
				2			Transfer For Lead. This first response over the double by the competing opposing side indicates a transfer to Diamonds. In the case that the opposing side declares, then the bid is defined as also as a lead-directing bid.
Example 2
1							Promises opening values.
		1					Promising competitive opening values.
				Double			A definite competitive action generally indicating interest and support in the unbid suits. Also promises competitive values.
						2	Transfer For Lead. This first response over the double by the competing opposing side indicates a transfer to Diamonds. In the case that the opposing side declares, then the bid is defined as also as a lead-directing bid.

Note: In both instances, or bidding sequences, the player bidding 2 Clubs is transferring partner to Diamonds. The bid itself may promise length in the suit of Diamonds. However, in both instances the player bidding 2 Clubs is also communicating the fact that Diamonds should be the lead in case the opposing side leads. The general understanding is also that the 2 Clubs bidder is showing minimum support for the suit of partner as in Example 2.

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.