Wednesday, November 01, 2006 2:09 AM

Rubensohl - Two Suiters

PITBULLS:

Rubensohl unleashes the “hidden” power of transfers. Transfers allow useful bidding space as the NT bidder gives information by accepting or super accepting the transfer. Two suiters are shown by the time honoured principle of transferring into one suit & bidding the other. There is no ambiguity as the 2^nd bid must be a second suit rather than an ambiguous Q bid.

Here is a hand from a Spingold where 3NT was reached at one table and 7♣ at the other table. Only a 17 IMP swing. ♠Axx ♥xx ♦AKxx ♣AQ10x opposite ♠x ♥AKxxx ♦xx ♣Kxxxx . The auction at one table went 1NT-2♠-3♠-P 3NT-P-P-P and +630. At the other table they played Rubensohl so they bid 3♦ and partner denied good hearts or a strong preference for 3NT by accepting the transfer. Knowing that partner did not like hearts nor having duplication of value in spades , the Rubensohl bidder bid 4♣ over partners 3♥. This now got super accepted with 4♦ and a 4♠ Q bid resulted. 4NT brought two aces and specific king ask showed the heart King. 7♣ was an easy bid by the 1NT opener. Nice auction !

Transfers as a tool in competition are very under rated by the average Bridge player. They think it is just to let the strong hand play the hand. Far from it ! The transfer allows super acceptance or denial , saves bidding room & announces your suit immediately in competition. All this in addition to right siding the contract !!