Jacoby Transfer
For The Minor Suits

This convention, a variation of the Jacoby Transfer originally devised by Mr. Oswald Jacoby, is used by the responder whose partner has opened the bidding with 1 No Trump. The bridge community liked the original concept of Mr. Oswald Jacoby and created new variations. The concept of this convention was created for the responder, whose holding includes a long Minor suit and, generally, very little values. The Jacoby Transfer For The Minor Suits should not be applied after an opening of 2 No Trump or 3 No Trump, since the level of bidding becomes too high to indicate a long and weak Minor suit. The illustrations below show the effectiveness of this convention.

This convention is sometimes referred to as Minor Suit Stayman, although the purpose behind the concept is different when using Minor Suit Stayman.

Opener

 

Opponent

 

Responder

 

Opponent

   Meaning

1 NT

 

Pass

 

2

 

Pass

   Responder transfers to Clubs

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Opener is required to bid Clubs

The responder would have a holding such as in the following illustration and shows the reason why the responder wishes to transfer.

65
73
J82
QJ9864

Since the responder has a 6-card Club suit, it would be preferable for the No Trump bidder to play the contract in Clubs. Using the Jacoby Transfer For The Minor Suits, the responder would first bid 2 Spades to transfer the opener to Clubs. The responder then simply passes due to a lack of strength. Even if the immediate opponent overcalls with 2 Clubs and/or 2 Hearts, the auction of the No Trump bidder and his partner has not been interrupted. If the immediate opponent preempts on the three Llevel, then the system is off.

In the case that the responder has the following holding:

AQ8
KQ43
KQJ986

then the responder will take further action after the transfer. Since a slam seems likely, then the responder has several options. The responder could apply Gerber, Blackwood, Roman Keycard Blackwood, even cuebid his void in Diamonds. Any further action by the responder is game forcing.

Another example of the Jacoby Transfer For The Minor Suits is shown below to illustrate the possibility of transferring to Diamonds:

Opener

 

Opponent

 

Responder

 

Opponent

   Meaning

1 NT

 

Pass

 

3

 

Pass

   Responder transfers to Diamonds

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Opener is required to bid Diamonds

The responder could have a holding such as the following:

5
K53
J987532
62

Instead of bidding 2 Clubs as a transfer to the Diamond suit, the responder must jump to the three level to accomplish this. The point count could be as little as shown in the example, but it is preferable to transfer the No Trump bidder to the Diamond suit than to pass. Again, it is also possible that the responder holds more values and any further action on the part of the responder is forcing.

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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