Smolen Transfers
The basic idea of Smolen is to get strong 1 NT opener to declare
opposite responder 5-4 or 4-5 in the majors by having responder Stayman
and then bid the 4 card major. Some use Smolen at
both the 2 and 3 levels, but most here in Dallas only use Smolen
at the 3 level and leave 2 level bids natural. This is probably best
because invitational 5-4 hands are rare compared with weak 5-4 hands
due to the narrow HPC range. Briefly:
1NT-2C-2D-2H invitational with 5 spades, 4 hearts
1NT-2C-2D-2S invitational with 4 spades, 5 hearts
1NT-2C-2D-3H forcing with 5 spades, 4 hearts
1NT-2C-2D-3S forcing with 5 hearts, 4 spades
Smolen can also be used with 6-4 or even 7-4 if you and your partner
care to work it out.