Texas Transfers 05/28/12 Updated: 05/08/17

Texas Transfers by Bob Gruber

Texas Transfers are similar to Jacoby transfers, enabling the NT opener1 (whether 1NT, 2NT, 2. followed by 2NT or 2. followed by 3NT) to be declarer in contracts. They are, however, made at the 4 level instead of the 2 or 3 level AND require responder to have a 6-card suit. In short: 4♦ transfers to 4♥, and [responder has 6 or more ♥s] 4♥ transfers to 4♠ [responder has 6 or more ♠s]

Since this seems to be a largely redundant bid, why bother with it? Namely because we can attribute a slightly different meaning to the 4-level transfers vice the lower level transfers, and because over interference, Jacoby Transfers are often off or not available, but Texas Transfers are on.

So, what’s the slightly different meaning? When playing both types of transfers, typically responder would use a to show a hand suitable for game (in his 6-card major), but with no interest in slam. With some interest in slam, responder starts with a and then jumps to game in the major. Bear in mind, this is only mild interest in slam. Also, this distinction is not for the casual partnership and certainly adoption by new players should be delayed until the partnership is comfortable with Jacoby Transfers. Even experienced players have forgotten Texas and pass when the auction goes 1NT-P-4♥-P-? Oops! Not good.

In today’s competitive bridge world, most partnerships are itching to disturb the opponents’ strong NT sequences. There are lots of conventions to this end and they are used frequently. One counter to this interference is Lebensohl, which we won’t discuss here because of its complexity. But another counter measure is Texas Transfers. As long as the interference is below 4♦, you can make your Texas Transfer bid and still have the strong hand declare the major suit game.

Finally, there’s another, advanced distinction to Texas Transfers. A Jacoby Transfer suggests the major as a possible place to play. A Texas Transfer says we have at least an 8-card fit, we’re going to play the contract in this major, we’re going to play in a suit not NT. The distinction is significant in deciding whether 4NT is quantitative or Blackwood. In the auction: Partner You 1NT 2♥ 2♠ 4NT The Jacoby Transfer 2♥ bid only suggested ♠s as the strain/denomination. It did not lock the partnership into a suit contract. 4NT, therefore, is not Blackwood, it’s quantitative. (To ask for aces, you must use Gerber after the Jacoby Transfer.) In the auction shown, over 4NT the 1NT opener now has 4 choices: 4NT (by passing), 6NT, 5♠ or 6♠.

1 Since most pairs play their normal systems “on” when partner makes a natural 1NT , Jacoby and Texas Transfers should be “on.”

1 / 2 Texas Transfers 05/28/12 Updated: 05/08/17

Now consider a similar auction, but with a Texas transfer: Partner You 1NT 4♦ 4♥ 4NT Here, because the Texas Transfer set ♥s as , you have an agreed upon suit and 4NT is Blackwood. Admittedly, this subtle differentiation is easy to miss, even for advanced players. It is, however, consistent with the philosophy that after NT openings, if we have an agreed upon suit, 4NT is Blackwood. If there is no suit agreement, 4NT is quantitative and you use Gerber to ask for aces.

Be aware, however, since partner expects you to have no interest in slam, your 4NT call will be a surprise. If you’re going to incorporate this sequence, be sure to discuss it with partner. Further note that if you play Gerber, you can solicit the same information via a Jacoby Transfer followed by Gerber and that is the more traditional sequence to ask for aces.

Notes

1. After a Jacoby Transfer bid, a bid of 4 No Trump is quantitative, and partner may pass. a. After a Jacoby Transfer bid, use Gerber to ask for Aces. 2. After a Texas Transfer bid, a bid of 4 No Trump is Ace-asking and partner may not pass. a. This bid will be a surprise to partner since you denied slam interest.

Post Script

What kind of hand makes a mild slam try opposite a 1NT opener?

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