[han]

If you play 3NT as a strong 4M opening (similar as namyats), what are the responses? 4C as transfer to your suit? Or 4D bid your suit, 4H and 4S pass correct, and 4C as some kind of slam try?

[hrothgar]

When I played this we used

4♠ = Control Asking bid in Hearts
4♥ = Pass or correct
4♦ = Control asking bid in CLUBS
4♣ = Control asking bid in DIAMONDS

The only reason for the inversion on the 4m CABs was completely based on the assumption that opposing partnerships were less likely to have agreements about lead directing doubles and the like

[Phil]

I think 4♣ as transfer me and 4♦ as bids yours is standard (if there is such a thing here). 4M and 5m should asking bids.

I'd rather see 4m used as something more useful but this is such a rare bid when it comes up so you would be better served by refining your followups after reverses:P.

[dake50]

I run my solid spades through a forcing opening.
Spades won't need to preempt the auction, just show at level.
So, 3NT(->C-void), 4C(->D-void), 4D(->H-void)
show solid hearts AND next-up void.
Partner knows HA+void so step asks for other Ace
(the one/none step-ask doesn't have) and show kings.
Non-step asks control there: A,Kx,single.

[Free]

I use 4♣ as transfer your suit, 4♦ as bid your suit, and 4♥ to 5♦ are asking bids (token from the forums a couple of years ago).

4♥ = asks about singleton or A/K in the other Major
4♠ = asks about singleton/void ♣
4NT = asks about singleton/void ♦
5♣ = asks about ♣A/K
5♦ = asks about ♦A/K

After the asking bids, opener bids:
step 1 = ♥, no
step 2 = ♠, no
step 3 = ♥, yes
step 4 = ♠, yes

After 4♥ asking bid:
pass = ♥, no
4♠ = ♠, no
4NT = ♥, with ♠ shortness
5♣ = ♠, with ♥ shortness
5♦ = ♥, with ♠A/K
5♥ = ♠, with ♥A/K

Perhaps I haven't played enough during the last couple of years, but the asking bids have only occurred once (and sadly the answer was "no").

[awm]

I use:

4♣ = transfer to your suit, always some interest in slam
4♦ = bid your suit
4M = pass/correct

While it seems there are a lot of ways to get to 4M, this does allow us to play the contract from either side pretty much all the time.

Playing 3NT-4♣-4♦ (hearts) - 4♥ as a mild slam try is also quite useful, allowing opener to bid on with a good hand for slam, without getting past the four-level otherwise.

[Free]

If you have "transfer your suit" and "bid your suit", what purpose does a P/C have? With what types of hands would you bid 4M instead of 4m?

[paulg]

I use:

4♣ = transfer to your suit
4♦ = asks for shortage
4M = pass/correct (holding hearts over 4♠ respond as if kickback)
4NT = RKCB for spades
5m = to play

Use 4♣ when you really want to play in 4♥ with your own suit.

[awm]

Free, on 2011-October-10, 05:24, said:

If you have "transfer your suit" and "bid your suit", what purpose does a P/C have? With what types of hands would you bid 4M instead of 4m?

Well in my method, 4♣ "transfer to your suit" is always a slam try and is not really a way to play "only 4M" from responder's side. If he just wants to play in 4M, responder either bids it himself (which plays it from his side provided he guesses partner's suit correctly, and might increase the pressure on opponent in 4th chair by making a NF bid) or bids 4♦ (to play it from opener's side).

The 3NT-4♣-4♦-4♥ sequence (for example) is forward-going and opener will only sometimes pass (with a lousy hand for his opening).

In principle we could play different meanings to sequences like 3NT-4♦-4♥-5♣ versus 3NT-4♣-4♦-5♣, but we haven't chosen to do this because the 3NT opening doesn't come up enough to make remembering really complicated agreements worthwhile (in my opinion). In any case, I think having a way to make a slam try and still stop in 4M when opener has no interest has a pretty high payoff.

[Siegmund]

I played pretty much straight-out-of-the-box Kantar. 4C asking for a side king, 4D bid your suit, 4H P/C, 4S to play, 4NT asking for a side queen.

I have no strong feeling whether CABs might be better. I DO think it's a bit strange to use 4C as 'transfer to your suit' rather than just bidding 4M as responder. (Unless 4C has serious slam implications. But even if it DOES, why not just use 4C to start the slam exploration, rather than waiting until after 3N-4C-4D-4H to convey some information that will help you decide on the slam?)

For that matter, I reluctantly admit that, as much as I liked Kantar 3NT on paper, it didnt seem to actually translate into gains at the table very often.

[Zelandakh]

There was an article about this in the Sept 2010 edition of Bridge Magazine (UK) written by Victor Silverstone. I think it would be ok to post the direct responses - anyone wanting to read more should contact BM or the authour directly, either of whom could probably provide the rest of the article for a small fee.

4C = to play in 4 of the major, or interested in slam opposite shortage in the other major
4D = interested in slam opposite diamond shortage
4H = interested in slam opposite club shortage
4S, 5m = to play
4N = interested in slam opposite an 8 card suit
5H = not given but presumably also to play
5S, 6m, 6H = asks Opener to bid 7 with an 8 card suit and the jack of the bid suit
5N = asks Opener to bid 7 if the suit will play for 0 losers opposite a void

I reiterate that none of the above is my own material, nor have I played it or tested it in any way.

(Mods: I think that the above might be considered a teaser rather than plagiarism but if you feel that this is wrong then please remove this post)