Jennbridge: Losing Trick Count in Transfer Auctions

We had a hand recently which demonstrated the effectiveness of our Losing Trick Count  "super-acceptance" structure over Jacoby transfers in notrump auctions.  My partner, Larry Hansen, has suggested a further refinement in the accepting of transfers based on LTC.  This method permits the opener, with 4 trumps in the suit being transferred to, to distinguish between hands with 6 losers and hands with 7 losers and bid accordingly.

In my booklet, Losing Trick Count, Vol. II, I discuss using LTC in notrump auctions and point out that it can be used in both Stayman and transfer auctions once a fit is located (p. 16-17).  I note that a "super-acceptance" can be made showing 4 trumps and a good hand after an opening bid of one notrump and a transfer.  A good hand is defined as one with no more than 6 losers.

Here is the additional refinement that Larry and I use:  If partner transfers and we have a 7-loser hand with 4 trumps, we jump to the 3 level of the transferred suit.  With a 6-loser hand and 4 trumps, we bid 2NT.

Larry opened 1NT and I bid 2♥, a transfer to spades, with this hand:

♠AQxxx
♥x
♦10x
♣J98xx

Larry jumped to 3♠, a bid we define as a 7-loser hand with 4 trumps.  Now it was my bid.

Although I had only 6 high card points, I had 7 losers.  My 7 losers opposite his 7 losers rated to make a game so I bid 4♠.

♠AQxxx
♥x
♦10x
♣J98xx

♠Kxxx
♥Axx
♦AJxx
♣K10

This 21-point game was a cinch to make. Larry scored up 650 which was a top.  One other pair bid game and made 4.

See you at the table!