Conventions: Transfer Walsh

Using Transfer Walsh

Transfer Walsh is used responding to partner’s 1 opening bid.^[2] The main responses are as follows:

• 1: Shows a minimum of four hearts
• 1: Shows a minimum of four spades
• 1: Shows a minimum of four, alternatively five diamonds
• 1NT: Shows a 6-9/10 HCP balanced without any four-card major

One possible variation should be mentioned: 1 might show either diamonds or the 6-9/10 HCP No Trump, in which case 1-1NT shows a 10-11/12 HCP balanced hand.

The term Transfer Walsh is commonly used, although in a way imprecisely, as responder’s one of suit is not forcing a completed transfer from opener. In fact, over the 1 and 1 responses, opener will only accept the transfer holding minimum three-card support, otherwise bidding naturally. With four-card support, it is normal to accept the transfer at the 1 level holding a minimum hand, giving a jump overcall (for example 2 after a 1 response) with a maximum. One can jump even higher, to 3 or even 4 according to the strength of the hand, but only holding the mentioned four-card support. With three-card support the transfer is always completed at the 1 level, with less than three-card support another natural response is given. After 1-1, however, the transfer is only completed with four-card diamond support.

Further bidding is essentially natural.

The “transfers” are of course the core of this method, but being commonly played with use of the Walsh convention, Transfer Walsh is the name normally used. Since one cannot show diamonds naturally bidding less than 1, combining it with the Walsh convention is logical. One cannot afford to bid 1 showing diamonds unless the hand has values for a game force, since missing a major fit is very unfortunate.

A common alternative is for the opener to complete the transfer to the major with 12-14 HCP balanced hand, even with a doubleton. Responder will pass with 5 cards if weak but rebid (perhaps 1NT) with only 4. This allows the 5-2 fit to be played in the better major contract. Opener will only break the transfer with a strong hand, such as 17+ if playing a 15-16 NT.

Another variation is to play that a response of 1 is a transfer to 1NT, and can be made with any strength. Not only does this right-side a NT contract, but it allows responder to rebid at the 2 level to show an invitational hand. 2 is Stayman to find a major fit, and 2 of any other suit shows 5 cards. This allows a game invitation to be declined and played in 2 of the major, a safer contract than the normal 3 level. Playing this way, if responder makes the initial transfer to the major and rebids it, it shows a 6 card suit. This enables the major length to be shown exactly, whether 4, 5 or 6, as well as showing the strength as weak, invitational, or game forcing.

The now free 1NT response can then be used to show a weak hand with both 4 card majors, or alternatively to show diamonds.

Examples of use

If the auction goes 1-1; 1NT, opener has denied three-card spade support, and responder needs not worry about missing a 5-3 fit in spades.

If the auction goes 1-1;1-1;2, opener has given a relatively precise picture of his hand: By accepting the transfer bidding 1, he has shown three-card (rarely four-card) heart support, by bidding 2 four-card spade support (and a minimum opening), and by opening 1 (in a natural system) at least three clubs.

Advantages of using Transfer Walsh

Transfer Walsh in a very early stage of bidding determines the possibility of a fit, giving good control of further game and slam bidding.

Likewise, one has the chance of stopping at an early stage, especially using the XY Notrump Convention.

It becomes significantly easier to find 3-5 major suit fits (and in some variants 2-5 fits).

Opener (usually the stronger hand) becomes declarer in most major suit and NT contracts.