THE TEXAS TRANSFER
By Peter Rhead
We have spent time on Transfers in the past. A Transfer is one of the many responses to a One No-Trump or Two No-Trump opening. Today we are going to look at the “Texas Transfer”, partly because it can be very useful, and partly because it is fun.
You are the opener at 1NT or 2NT. A Texas Transfer is used by the partner of a 1NT or 2NT opener to show at least a major suit game-going hand in the transferred suit. The Texas Transfer is a jump Transfer to the four level. Partner’s jump tells you two things “opener, we have enough for game in the transferred suit and I may have enough for slam”.
For example, you open 1NT. Your partner now bids Four Diamonds to which you announce “Transfer”! Your partner does not want to play Diamonds. This is a Texas Transfer to Four Hearts. You have no choice. Partner is captain. You must now bid Four Hearts and that is where you will play for the game score unless partner now takes you to slam which he could do.
Your partner gets two bids for the price of one! First, his bid probably prevents interference from the opponent’s bidding while giving you information at the same time. Second, he shows a game in Hearts knowing you have at least two Hearts for your 1NT or 2NT opening bid. He has at least six Hearts and at least game-going points for his Texas Transfer bid.
Guideline One: The Texas Transfer is at least a six-card Transfer to a major suit. (Without the six card major suit, a No-Trump game might be a better choice than a minor suit game.)
Guideline Two: There are only two Texas Transfer bids. They are Four Diamonds Transfer to Hearts, and Four Hearts Transfer to Spades. Each Transfer bid guarantees at least six cards in the major suit.
Guideline Three: The jump provided by the Texas Transfer tells opening partner that the bidding will stop after the Transfer to Four Hearts or Four Spades is completed unless responding partner, with a special hand, takes the contract to slam. The jump also will discourage interference by the opposition.
For more information, check out “Jacoby and Texas Transfers” in Barbara Seagram’s 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know P. 73
Next Week: Examples of when you and partner could use the Texas Transfer
Remember, as we all fight COVID-19 with social isolation, if you want your Bridge fix, online competition is available for all skill levels. From the ACBL Bridge website, you can hook up either to play live people or to play robots. Either way you test or consolidate various Bridge skills. At ACBL.org just click on “Play Bridge” and follow the prompts for various choices.
If you wish to promote an activity in your Bridge group or ask a Bridge question, send the information to vrhead23@gmail.com and I will try to include it in this column.
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