“Texas Transfers” vs “Jacoby Transfers” A “ Texas Transfer ” is a transfer bid used by a Responder following either a 1-NT or a 2-NT opening bid by one’s Partner. It is an extension of the “Jacoby Transfer ” convention, enabling the No-trump Opener to become Declarer when the Responder holds six or more cards in either Major suit and wishes to at least bid game, knowing that Opener can hold no fewer than 2-pieces of the desired Major. With game-level or slam-level holdings when using “ Texas Transfers ,” Responder’s jump to “ 4D ” requires Opener to bid 4H , and a jump by Responder to “ 4H ” requires Opener to bid 4S . This not only allows the stronger hand to remain unexposed, but, additionally, minimizes potential, obstructive interference from the Opponents, and facilitates certain slam bidding sequences, as well. “ Texas Transfer ” bids, like “Jacoby Transfer ” bids, are denoted in “ blue ” on the convention card and, thus, require a different verbalization by the Opener, in this case, the word “ transfer ,” rather than an “ alert ” call. “Jacoby Transfer” and “Texas Transfer” Bids Following Interference Subsequent to a 1-NT opening, “ Jacoby Transfers ” are off following any 2-level suit interference calls (Example 1). But, Responder’s “ Texas Transfer” bids are still on if the interference is 3C or below, and off if the interference is 3D or higher (Examples 2 and 3). Examples: (1) 1-NT – (2C/2D) – 2H (Natural, to play and – 2S (Natural, to play (2) 1-NT – (2C to 3C) – “4D” (A “ Texas Transfer ” to 4H) and - “4H” (A “ Texas Transfer ” to 4S) (3) 1-NT – (3D or higher) – 4H (Natural, to Play) and – 4S (Natural, to Play) Defense Against a “Texas Transfer” Call The standard defense, following a “ Texas Transfer ” bid by one’s Opponents is as follows: 1-NT --- (“Pass”) --- (“4D”or“4H”) --- (“?”) a. A “ double” is one-suited, and is “ lead-directing ” b. A “4-NT ” call is for the Minors c. A 4-level bid of Responder’s asked-for, suit is a take-out, “Michaels Cue- bid ” for the two referenced suits d. A “ delayed double ” after Opener accepts the transfer is a three-suited take- out Using a Delayed “Texas Transfer” With the acknowledged understanding that a 4-4 Major suit game-level contract usually plays better than a 5-3 or 6-2 Major suit game-level contract, a so-called Delayed “Texas Transfer ” sequence can be employed seeking, firstly, a preferred 4-4 fit, if one is available, by means of an initial use of “ Stayman ,” followed by a fall-back “ Texas Transfer ” sequence to a known 6-2 or 6-3 Major suit fit, if the 4-4 fit is not initially uncovered. Example: 1-NT – “2C” – “2D” – “4D”(“4H”) – 4H(4S) 1 Responder, here, holds game values, four pieces of one of the Major suits, and 6 or more pieces of the alternate Major. Having failed to find Opener with a possible 4-4 fit by virtue of Opener’s “ 2D ” response to Responder’s initial “Stayman ,” “2C ” call, Responder can now use a 4-level “ Texas Transfer ” to make Opener the Declarer in the known 6-2 or 6-3 final game-level contract. “Jacoby Transfers” vs. “Texas Transfers” With game-values and a 6-card or longer Major suit holding, Responder has the option of employing either a 2-level “Jacoby Transfer ” sequence, or a 4-level “ Texas Transfer ” sequence, to reach a desired, final, game-level, 4H or 4S contract. The treatments are similar, but there is one benefit that results from Responder having the availability and use of either of these two conventions. The duplicity of techniques by which a Major suit game-level contract can be achieved, carries with it the generally-accepted understanding that Responder’s “ Texas Transfer ” sequence, followed by a game-level bid shows that Responder holds 11-15 HCP’s, and does not carry with it the potential for a Slam. Using a “ Texas Transfer ” followed by a “ Pass ” becomes the only way to force a sign-off game. It shows game values with a 6 card or longer major suit holding and no Slam potential . 1-NT – “4D”(“4H”) – 4H(4S) – Pass ------------------------------------------------------------------- On the other hand, the use of a “Jacoby Transfer ” sequence, followed by a game-level bid, shows that Responder holds 16 (+) HCP’s, and caries with it an invitation for the No-Trump opening bidder to seek Slam, if the Opener holds a maximum HCP initial No-Trump holding and, therefore, deems it plausible that a Slam might be present. 1-NT – “2D”(“2H”) - 2H(2S) – 4H(4S) - ? Interpretation of a “4-NT” Call Susequent to Both Transfer Sequences The meaning of the follow-up bid of “ 4-NT ,” subsequent to a game-level Major suit contract having been achieved via the use of a “Jacoby Transfer ,” sequence is, by consensus, different than the use of a follow-up bid of “ 4-NT ” subsequent to a “ Texas Transfer ” sequence. In both instances, Responder holds no fewer than game-values, but the inference of any subsequent “4-NT ” bid differs. 1-NT – “2D”(“2H”) - 2H(2S) - “4-NT” After a “Jacoby Transfer ” sequence, the consensus is that a bid of “ 4-NT ” is quantitative . It asks Opener to either: (a) “Pass” with a minimum No-Trump opening count and 2 trump pieces (b) Bid 5H (5S) with a minimum No-Trump opening count and 3 (+) trump pieces (c) Bid 6-NT - with a maximum No-Trump opening count and 2 trump pieces (d) Bid 6H (6S) - with a maximum No-Trump opening count and 3 (+) trump pieces 1-NT – “4D”(“4H”) – 4H(4S) - “4-NT” After a “Texas Transfer ” sequence, the consensus is that a bid of “ 4-NT ” is conventional (“Blackwood”) . Opener, here, may not pass , since it is Ace-Asking and Opener is forced to respond to the Ace-Asking request with any agreed-to variation of Blackwood; i.e., either regular Blackwood, else Roman Keycard Blackwood (0314 or 1430). 2.