Transfers

Simple Transfers over 1 NT

Transfer Bids are used after a player has opened 1NT or 2NT (See bottom of page) and their partner holds one five-card Major suit and possibly four in the other.
Contrary to what many beginners think the main purpose is not to allow the No Trump hand to play the contract, although they do have this effect, it is to allow you to define your hand very accurately and thereby let your partner make the best decision on the final contract.

Remember with any hand of 5/5 in Majors or weak 5-4 in Majors use Stayman and stop at the two level if weak eg ♠ J6543♥ KJ54, ♦ 67, ♣ 67
When partner opens 1NT bid 2 ♣ if the response is a Major Pass
If the response is 2 ♦ bid your five card suit or if you have both both bid 2 ♥ This gives you the option (rare but possible) to convert to 2 ♠ if you are doubled
Make sure both you and your partner remember that these bids are weak
Otherwise with stronger 5/5 hands refer to the Stayman File

Transfer Bids work as follows

In response to 1NT: Responder bids 2 ♦ This shows at least 5 Hearts.Opener announces this with the word "Hearts" and normally bids 2 ♥
You can agree to jump to the three level with an agreed type of hand if you want to.
If you use this as either a Transfer or a weak take-out in Diamonds the Orange book is not absolutely clear but I think you should alert rather than announce and explain if asked.
Responder now bids as follows according to his hand
Pass a weak hand with 5 Hearts
2 ♠ 5 Hearts, 4 Spades and 10/11 points- Opener makes the Final bid
2NT A balanced or semi-balanced distribution, 5 Hearts, and invites game. Opener can pass, sign off in 3/4 ♥ or bid 3NT
3 ♣ /3 ♦ is game forcing showing only 5 Hearts. Note Alert this and say " It may not be a 4 card suit"
3 ♥ At least 6 Hearts invitational. Opener can pass or bid 4 ♥
3 ♠ At least 5 Hearts, 4 Spades and game forcing.
3NT A balanced or semi-balanced distribution with 5 Hearts. Opener can pass or correct to 4♥
4 ♥ At least 6 hearts, signoff

In response to 1NT: Responder bids 2 ♥ Shows at least 5 Spades. Requires partner to bid 2 ♠

Pass A weak hand with at least 5 Spades.
2NT A balanced or semi-balanced distribution, 5 spades, and invites game. Opener can pass, sign off in 3/4 ♠ or bid 3NT.
3 ♣ /3 ♦ is game forcing showing only 5 Spades Note Alert this and say " It may not be a 4 card suit"
3 ♥ At least 5 Spades, 4 Hearts and game forcing. Opener bids 4 ♥ 4 ♠ or 3NT (with 3 Hearts and 2 Spades) Remember with 5-5 in majors use Stayman
3 ♠ At least 6 Spades invitational. Partner can pass or bid 4 ♠
3NT A balanced or semi-balanced distribution with 5 Spades. Partner can pass or correct to 4 ♠
4 ♠ At least 6 Spades, signoff.

Many players use Transfers and then ignore the information and bid 3NT as they hope to get the extra 10pts if making 10 or 11 tricks.
An international player once advised me
"When you locate a 4/4. or 5/3 major fit Play in it unless with a 4/4 fit you can absolutely guarantee from the bidding that BOTH hand are completely balanced."
His point was that even experts can't "know" which is the best contract so don't try to guess
On balance I have found it to be good advice but it is up to the individual to decide their style
Finally as a bid of 2 ♠ is at the moment redundant many players use it to show a balanced hand of 11pts and 2NT to show 12pts

If you consider that the simple difference between 11 and 12 is a Jack and many 11 point hands are more likely produce tricks than a lot of 12 pointers then it doesn't really help a lot.
First of all get used to deciding whether a hand is worth 11 points or a poor 12 and value this as a 2NT raise.
If, however you value it as a good 12 then raise to 3NT.

So 2 ♠ can be used for something else.
If you have a long weak Minor and want to play in it you can use Stayman for 3 ♣ by bidding 2♣ and then rebidding 3 ♣
This is perfectly legal provided you have it on your Convention Card or tell the opposition .Similarly it is allowable when playing transfers to bid 2 ♦ and then 3 ♦
But another way round this an is to use the 2 ♠ as a Transfer to either Clubs or Diamonds. You bid 2 ♠ your partner bids 3 ♣ and you Pass or convert to 3 ♦.
This is quite a popular way of doing it.