a balanced hand and exactly 12 HCP This has been further refined to include the use of the 2 bid as a means of transferring into a minor suit, thus for Acol: 1NT - 2 = I may have 11 HCP or I may have a long minor suit. Opener rebids: 2NT with a weak hand (i.e. 12 HCP) - partner then chooses between passing or bidding a minor suit. 3 with a strong hand (14 HCP) - partner then chooses between 3NT, passing or bidding diamonds. 2 may also be used as a Baron range enquiry, to find whether opener is minimum or maximum, if responder has 11-12 points (looking for game in NT) or 17-20 points (looking for slam in NT or a minor) An alternative method of minor suit transfers is to use 2 as a transfer to clubs and 3 (or 2NT) as a transfer to diamonds. Modern additions to transfer procedures Although part of the early writings on transfers in the 1950s, "bouncing" and "breaking" have only become widespread in the UK since the 1990s. As promulgated by Paul Mendelson, they are: Bouncing (also known as bypassing). Following the standard initiation of a transfer sequence (e.g. 1NT - 2 - ?). Opener rebids 3 with a maximum point count (14 with Acol) and 4-card support for hearts. With all other hands, opener rebids 2. Breaking. Following the same initial sequence of 1NT - 2 - ?: Opener rebids three of an unexpected suit (3) to show maximum points (14 with Acol) and a poor doubleton (xx) in the bid suit (e.g. diamonds) With these two devices (bouncing and breaking) it is possible to discover, at very little risk, games that would otherwise be missed. Using transfers in other NT situations Transfers work well following other notrump bids. A common usage follows an opening bid of 2NT where a weak take-out into three of a major becomes a possibility whereas with traditional methods such a bid would be forcing. Transfers following a double Following a double (i.e. partner opens 1NT and intervening opponent doubles), there are two options in fairly common use: Transfers and Stayman become inoperative, i.e. all 2-level bids are for take-out. This has the advantage of simplicity but the disadvantage that the stronger hand becomes dummy with a resultant offering of information to opponents, though conversely responder's hand which could have a wide