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Muscat Walsh is a natural 5542 system with Transfer Walsh responses to 1♣. Everything else is standard 2/1, so only the 1♣ opening is documented.

  • 1♣ - 1♦ = 4+♥
  • 1♣ - 1♥ = 4+♠
  • 1♣ - 1♠ = 0–3♠, 0–3♥

This book fits the following regulations:

  1. Green (natural) classification under the WBF Systems Policy
  2. ACBL Open Chart

Notation

This book follows Strawberry Polish Club for hand evaluation, bidding notation, and punctuation in tables and prose.

References

Openings
1♣11–20, 2+♣
1♦11–20, 4+♦
1♥♠11–20, 5+#
1NT15–17, 2–5♠, 2–5♥, 2–6♦, 2–6♣

With 4-4 in the minors, open 1♦. Also open 1♦ with 11–17, 4+♦, 5=♣ unless the hand fits 1NT.

The notrump ladder

  • 12–14: 1♣ - 1♦♥ - 1♥♠
  • 15–17: 1NT
  • 18–20: 1♣ - 1♦♥ - 1NT

Transfer Walsh 1♣

Walsh is familiar territory in modern bidding: with less than game-forcing strength, we bypass diamonds to show a 4-card major. That leaves the cheapest response doing little work. As Richard Granville puts it, “the 1♦ response to 1♣ is severely underused.”

So why not rotate the responses? Transfer Walsh uses 1♦ for hearts, 1♥ for spades, and 1♠ for hands without a 4-card major. Now opener can declare responder’s major, with an extra step to describe support.

1♣ -
1♦!0+, 4+♥
1♥!0+, 4+♠
1♠!4+, 0–3♠, 0–3♥
1NT8–11, 1–3♠, 1–3♥, no SPL
2♣!FG, 5+♦, 0–3♠, 0–3♥
2♦!0–7, 6+♠♥
2♥!8–11, 4+♥, 5+♠
2♠!FG, 5+♣, 0–3♠, 0–3♥, 0–4♦
2NT!NF INV, 6+♦
3♣NF INV, 6+♣

The 2♥ response is Reverse Flannery as in Strawberry Polish Club but can be invitational (8–11) rather than merely constructive (6–9).

Multi 2♦

The 2♦ response takes every 0–7 hand with a 6+ major, so whenever responder rebids a 6+ major after a red transfer, they hold 8+. Over the 2NT relay, responder trisects strength as in the Multi 2♦ opening: 0–3, 4–5, and 6–7. The most frequent third is 6–7, so it gets its own bids 3♥♠. The lower two thirds share 3♣♦, where opener relays to invite. Responder then signs off in 3M with 0–3 or bids 4M with 4–5.

1♣ - 2♦ -
2♥♠!P/C
2NT!(R), INV+
3♥♠!P/C
4♣!STR COG
4♦!PRE COG
1♣ - 2♦ -
2NT -
3♣!0–5, 6+♥
3♣ - 3♦!(R), INV+
3♣ - 3♥S/O
3♦!0–5, 6+♠
3♦ - 3♥!(R), INV+
3♦ - 3♠S/O
3♥!6–7, 6+♠
3♠!6–7, 6+♥

There are two kinds of choice of games:

  • 4♣ by strength
  • 4♦ by distribution

Such distinction helps judging how to react to interference. Besides, 4♣ lets the strong hand declare. On the other hand, 4♦ closes the auction ASAP.

1♣ - 2♦ -
4♣ -
4♦!TRF, 6+♥
4♥!TRF, 6+♠

Red transfers 1♦♥

Opener completes the transfer with any balanced minimum, even with a doubleton, and with 3-card support up to 17. Completion is a free support double: bypassing it denies 3-card support, except with 18–20. Unbalanced ones bid 2♦, an artificial strong raise. Balanced ones rebid 1NT, as in the notrump ladder. Molenaar–Verbeek play the same ladder. After the completion or 1NT, responder rebids by Checkback Gladiator.

Responder may hold nothing, so 3NT promises solid clubs. Other 18–20 hands with 5+♣ bid 2NT with 0–2 cards in responder’s major, or 2♦ with 3 cards, unless they suit 1NT.

Raises promise 4-card support: 2M with 11–14 and 3M with 15–17. With 18–20, opener bids 2♦ rather than reverse, so reverses deny 3-card support.

1♣ - 1♦ -
1♥(BAL 12–14, 2–3♥) or (UNBAL 11–17, 3=♥)
1♠UNBAL 11–17, 4+♠, 5+♣, 0–2♥
1NTBAL 18–20, 2–3♥
2♣UNBAL 11–17, 5+♣, 0–3♠, 0–2♥
2♦!18–20, (4+♥ or UNBAL 3=♥)
2♥11–14, 4+♥
2♠FG, 18–20, 4+♠, 5+♣, 0–2♥
2NT!18–20, 5+♣, 0–2♥
3♣15–17, 6+♣, 0–2♥
3♥15–17, 4+♥
3NT18–20, SOL 6+♣, 0–2♥
1♣ - 1♥ -
1♠(BAL 12–14, 2–3♠) or (UNBAL 11–17, 3=♠)
1NTBAL 18–20, 2–3♠
2♣UNBAL 11–17, 5+♣, 0–2♠
2♦!18–20, (4+♠ or UNBAL 3=♠)
2♥REV, 16–20, 4+♥, 5+♣, 0–2♠
2♠11–14, 4+♠
2NT!18–20, 5+♣, 0–2♠
3♣15–17, 6+♣, 0–2♠
3♠15–17, 4+♠
3NT18–20, SOL 6+♣, 0–2♠

After 2♦

Over the strong raise, the cheapest step 2♥ is a weak signoff with 0–5. This is Odwrotka with the roles swapped. Opener made the fit reverse, so responder describes. The 6+M rows show 8+ because 0–7 hands went through Multi 2♦.

1♣ - 1R -
2♦ -		M = R + 1
2♥!0–5
2♠!6+, 4=M, no 5+ side suit
2NT!6+, UNBAL 5=M
3♣♦6+, 5+#, 4=M
3M6+, BAL 5=M
3NT!8+, 6+M, no SPL
3OM!, 4♣♦!8+, SPL, 0–1#, 6+M

After a reverse

Responder plays Blackout as after 1♠, but LEB is 0–7 since a transfer promises nothing. LEB is the next step even though it is responder’s major, as opener holds at most two spades. Other bids are natural and game-forcing.

1♣ - 1♥ -
2♥ -
2♠!LEB, 0–7
3NTS/O

Checkback Gladiator

Responder rebids by Checkback Gladiator, my XYZ variant with invitational direct 2M rebids. That chapter covers the scheme, the name, and its history. This one gives the T-Walsh tables, where the transfer response shifts strength from responder to opener: responder passes the completion more often, and 1♠ is available as a second response.

After the completion

The completion is non-forcing. Responder passes with 0–7, as the 1-level is low enough to survive a 4–2 fit. Other rebids adapt Strawberry Polish Club’s Checkback Gladiator. 2♣ is a one-round force: a constructive signoff, an invitation, or a special game force. 2♦ is an artificial game-forcing checkback. Natural 2M are invitations, and 3x are slam tries.

1♣ - 1♦ -
1♥ -
1♠F, 8+, 4=♠
1NTNF, 8–10, 0–3♠
2♣!CB Gladiator, F1
2♦!FG CB
2♥!INV, 5+♥
2♠!INV, 4=♠, 5+♥
2NT!TRF, (PRE or FG), 6+♣
3♣♦S/T, 5+#, 5+♥
3♥S/T, 6+♥
4♥S/O
1♣ - 1♥ -
1♠ -
1NTNF, 8–10
2♣!CB Gladiator, F1
2♦!FG CB
2♥!INV, 4+♥, 5+♠
2♠!INV, 5+♠
2NT!TRF, (PRE or FG), 6+♣
3♣♦♥S/T, 5+#, 5+♠
3♠S/T, 6+♠
4♠S/O

The 2♣ checkback

1♣ - 1R -
1M - 2♣ -		M = R + 1
2♦!P/C, 11–14
2M15–17, 3=M
1♣ - 1♦ -
1♥ - 2♣ -
2♦ -
PS/O, 5+♦
2♥S/O, 5+♥
2NTBAL INV
3♣♦INV, 5+#, 5+♥
3♥INV, S-SOL 6+♥
3NTCOG, 5♥(332)
1♣ - 1♥ -
1♠ - 2♣ -
2♦ -
PS/O, 5+♦
2♥INV, 5+♥, 5+♠
2♠S/O, 5+♠
2NTBAL INV
3♣♦INV, 5+#, 5+♠
3♥INV, 4+♥, 6+♠
3♠INV, S-SOL 6+♠
3NTCOG, 5♠(332)

The 2♦ game force

1♣ - 1♦ -
1♥ - 2♦ -
2♥11–14, 3=♥
2♠BAL 12–14, 4=♠, 2=♥
2NTBAL 12–14, 2–3♠, 2=♥
3♣15–17, 3=♥, 6+♣
3♥15–17, 3=♥
1♣ - 1♥ -
1♠ - 2♦ -
2♥BAL 12–14, 4=♥, 2=♠
2♠11–14, 3=♠
2NTBAL 12–14, 2–3♥, 2=♠
3♣15–17, 3=♠, 6+♣
3♠15–17, 3=♠

Second response 1♠

1♣ - 1♦ -
1♥ - 1♠ -
1NTBAL 12–14, 2–3♠
2♣UNBAL 11–14, 3=♥, 0–3♠
2♥15–17, 3=♥, 0–3♠
2♠11–14, 4+♠
3♠15–17, 4+♠

After 1NT

Checkback Gladiator still applies. This is Strawberry Polish Club’s 1♣ - 1M - 1NT with about 6 points moved from responder to opener: responder passes with 0–4, invites with 5–6, and forces to game with 7+. Over 2♣, opener shows support rather than a maximum, since 1NT is a single range.

1♣ - 1♦ -
1NT -
2♣!CB Gladiator, F1
2♣ - 2♦!P/C
2♣ - 2♥3=♥
2♦!FG CB
2♥!INV, 5+♥
2♠!INV, 4=♠
2NT!TRF, (PRE or FG), 6+♣
3♣♦S/T, 5+#, 5+♥
3♥S/T, 6+♥
3♠!SPL, 0–1♠, 6+♥
3NT6–9, 4=♥
4♣♦!SPL, 0–1#, 6+♥
1♣ - 1♥ -
1NT -
2♣!CB Gladiator, F1
2♣ - 2♦!P/C
2♣ - 2♥4=♥
2♣ - 2♠3=♠
2♦!FG CB
2♥!INV, 4+♥, 5+♠
2♠!INV, 5+♠
2NT!TRF, (PRE or FG), 6+♣
3♣♦♥S/T, 5+#, 5+♠
3♠S/T, 6+♠
3NT6–9, 4=♠
4♣♦♥!SPL, 0–1#, 6+♠

After 2♣ - 2♦, responder continues as after the completion, but invitations are 5–6. Over 2♦, opener answers as after the completion without the strength split: 2M shows 3 cards, 2 of the other major shows 4 cards, and 2NT denies both.

No-major 1♠

The 1♠ catchall denies a 4-card major. Responder holds one of:

  • 4–7 without a major
  • 8–11 with a splinter in a major, unless a 6-card minor jumps directly
  • 12+ balanced: with no 4-card major and no 5-card minor, that is 33(43) or (32)44

A singleton ace or king is not a splinter. 8–11 hands with one bid 1NT.

Opener never shows a major with a balanced hand. Responder has at most three, so a 4-3 fit is not worth the search. A 4414 hand bids notrump as if balanced, since responder is likely to hold diamonds. Other rebids follow red transfers.

1♣ - 1♠ -
1NT(BAL 12–14) or (11–17, 4414)
2♣UNBAL 11–17, 5+♣
2♦REV, 16–20, 4+♦, 5+♣
2♥♠REV, 16–20, 4+#, 5+♣
2NT(BAL 18–20) or (18–20, 4414)
3♣15–17, 6+♣
3NT18–20, 6+♣

After 1NT

Responder signs off in a minor or 3NT, or splinters to invite. Opener rejects with 2NT or 3♣, and accepts with 3♦ or 3NT. Notrump promises a stop in the splinter suit. Over 3♣, responder passes or corrects to 3♦.

1♣ - 1♠ -
1NT -
2♣♦S/O
2♥♠!INV, SPL, 0–1#
3NTS/O
4NTINV, 19–20
1♣ - 1♠ -
1NT - 2♥♠ -
2NTNF, MIN, stop
3♣NF, MIN, no stop
3♦FG, MAX, no stop
3NTMAX, stop

After 2♣

Responder passes with a weak hand. Opener answers the splinter as over 1NT.

1♣ - 1♠ -
2♣ -
2♦S/O, 5+♦
2♥♠!INV, SPL, 0–1#
3♣FG, 4+♣
3NTS/O

After a reverse

Responder plays the Blackout convention: the next step is LEB, a weak relay with 4–7. Over 2♠, that step is 2NT. Other bids are natural and game-forcing.

1♣ - 1♠ -
2♦ -
2♥!LEB, 4–7
2NTFG
3♣♦FG
3NTS/O
1♣ - 1♠ -
2♥ -
2♠!LEB, 4–7
2NTFG
3♣♦FG
3♥FG, 3=♥
3NTS/O
1♣ - 1♠ -
2♠ -
2NT!LEB, 4–7
3♣♦FG
3♠FG, 3=♠
3NTS/O

Game-forcing minors 2♣♠

Responder bids 2♣ with 5+♦ or 2♠ with 5+♣, game-forcing without a 4-card major. With both minors, responder bids 2♣ and shows clubs next.

Opener describes, and responder places the contract. Opener’s rebid shows shape, not strength, except that balanced hands split 12–14 from 18–20.

Both hands show stops the same way: a new major shows a stop, and notrump shows stops in all unbid suits. Over a splinter, 3NT promises a stop in the short suit. Bids beyond the tables are slam tries.

After 2♣

Opener never holds a 5-card major, so a major shows four cards and a stop. Opener bids a 4-card major first, hearts with both, unless raising diamonds.

1♣ - 2♣ -
2♦!BAL 12–14, 0–3♠, 0–3♥
2♥♠4+#, 0–3♦
2NTBAL 18–20
3♣6+♣, 0–3♠, 0–3♥, 0–3♦
3♦4+♦, no SPL
3♥♠!SPL, 0–1#, 4+♦
1♣ - 2♣ -
2♦ -
2♥♠Stopper
2NTStops in both majors
3♣4+♣
3♦6+♦

After 2♠

Opener bids 3NT with the weak balanced hand and 2NT with the strong one, keeping room where slam is possible.

1♣ - 2♠ -
2NTBAL 18–20
3♣UNBAL, no SPL
3♦♥♠!SPL, 0–1#
3NTBAL 12–14