Playhand 23

Partner has dealt and opened 1NT ( 12-14 pts). There is no opposition bidding. What would you first respond on the following hands (you may pass), and then show any subsequent bid by opener and the second bid by responder if applicable. A response of 2 by you is always Stayman. if you use transfers , put RST after the bid;.

1.KQ964 82 43 10984

Your side does not have the balance of points but the suit looks good. A contract of 2 by transfers (1NT....2......2) is best, otherwise by 1NT ....2.

2.J8642 Q985 K3 87

Your suit is poor, but you can bid 2 (Stayman). If opener bids a major suit , then pass. If the response is 2, now you bid 2. for opener to pass. This is better than making a transfer initially

3.AK63 Q10975 A7 94

This hand is made for transfers. Respond 2. Opener 2, then as responder bid 2, showing 5-4 in the majors and game forcing, so that opener can choose the best contract. Stayman may get you to the same contract , but does not tell partner about your major suit distribution

4.AKQ1098 AQ642 32

Think game in s but there maybe a slam if you feel bold. Transfers work best so to protect openers' tenaces. Respond 2, and when opener completes the transfer by bidding 2, bid 4 or 4NT if you are bold. Partners values in s may be useless, so a slam is not great odds

5.KQ9754 KJ4 KJ9 5

Here responder has two tenaces, so a direct bid of 4 is likely to work better than using transfers