We have seen that by using Stayman after an opening 1NT, you and partner can easily find a 4/4 major fit. Now, let's look at you should respond to a 1NT opening bid when you are holding a five-card major. Let's assume this is your hand
Qxx ~~~ AKxxx ~~~ Qx ~~~ xxx
If you Stayman this hand (bid 2C asking partner if he has a four-card major), you will not be able to show partner your five-card heart suit (especially if you are playing Smolen in that Smolen would show a 5-4 distribution in the majors). It would just be easier to look across the table and say, "Partner, I have five hearts. Do you have three hearts?" Well, guess what!? You can do that! Its called Jacoby Transfers! Let's look at this wonderful bid!
Holding the above hand with five hearts after hearing partner's 1NT opening bid, you would bid one suit lower than the suit you wish to show partner contains five cards. To show your five-card heart holding, you would bid 2D. The bidding of the heart suit is now TRANSFERRED to partner. After partner bids 2H, you may now bid 2NT to invite to game, or bid to game (3NT) and allow partner to decide whether to play in the transferred suit or leave the bidding at 3NT. The bid to 3NT will tell partner, "I have enough points for us to be in game, and I have five hearts. If you wish to play game in 3NT, pass. If you wish to play game in 4 hearts, please bid it." If your hand happens to hold 5 spades, you will bid 2H, transferring partner to two spades.
Some partnerships carry this transfer bid a step farther to include minors, using 2S to transfer to 3C and 3C to transfer partner to 3D.
The Bidding Box
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