The Texas Transfer

A Texas transfer is a jump to 4♦ or 4♥ over partner's 1NT, asking opener to bid the next suit up at the four level. It is meant for the responder who holds a long major and enough for game, and so knows the final contract at once.

Responder could just bid 4♥ or 4♠. That reaches the right contract, but it makes responder the declarer and puts the strong, balanced hand on the table for the defenders to see. A Jacoby transfer followed by a jump to game puts the right hand in charge, but it uses two rounds and leaves the defenders room to compete or to double for a lead. Texas gets there in one bid.

Over partner's 1NT, a jump to 4♦ shows six or more hearts and 4♥ shows six or more spades, with values for game. Opener completes the transfer to 4♥ or 4♠ and responder normally passes. The strong hand declares, the opening lead runs up to its honors, and the opponents have one less chance to enter the auction.

The same bids apply over a 2NT opening and over a 2NT rebid after 2♣, where game values are even easier to reach. Opener has no options. There is no super-accept, because responder has already set the level at game.

Partnerships that play both transfers use them to separate two kinds of game hand. The distinction only works if both partners respect it.

Without Texas in the system, 1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 4♥ is simply a signoff. Once you add Texas, that sequence becomes free for a mild slam try. Opener with a suitable maximum, rich in aces and kings, can cue-bid or bid 4NT. For many pairs, freeing that sequence is the main benefit of Texas beyond right-siding the contract.

South holds ♠KQJ9854 ♥7 ♦Q93 ♣82 opposite a 1NT opening. That is 8 points and a seven-card suit, enough for game opposite 15 to 17 but nowhere near slam. South bids 4♥, North bids 4♠, and South passes. Spades are played from the North side, protecting North's honors from the opening lead.

The slam needs no luck. On a club lead the defenders take the ♣A and nothing else. On any other lead declarer draws trumps and discards both clubs on the third round of hearts and diamonds. Using Texas first makes the trump suit clear before 4NT, so there is no doubt which king counts as a keycard. See Roman Key Card Blackwood for the responses.

• Confusing Texas with Gerber. In SAYC 1NT - 4♣ is Gerber, the ace ask, while 4♦ and 4♥ are Texas. A jump to 4♦ over 1NT is never natural in a partnership that plays Texas.
• Forgetting the convention at the table. Opener who passes 4♦ leaves the partnership at the four level in a suit responder may hold a singleton in, instead of in game in a long major.
• Using Texas with slam interest and then bidding on. After Texas, responder's only forward move is 4NT. A new suit at the five level is ambiguous in most partnerships, so go through Jacoby when you want to explore.
• Leaving it off in competition. Agree whether Texas applies after a double of 1NT (most pairs say yes) and after a two-level overcall (many pairs say yes, others treat 4♦ and 4♥ as natural).

South African Texas uses 4♣ for hearts and 4♦ for spades, leaving 4♥ and 4♠ natural. Because 4♣ and 4♦ are rarely natural, a partner is less likely to forget them, and responder can still play 4♥ or 4♠ from their own side. The cost is the Gerber ask. Texas sits naturally beside Stayman and Jacoby in the notrump structure; see the bridge conventions overview for how the pieces fit together.

What is a Texas transfer in bridge?

A Texas transfer is a jump to 4♦ or 4♥ over partner's 1NT or 2NT, showing six or more cards in the next suit up and enough for game. Opener completes to 4♥ or 4♠.

What is the difference between Texas and Jacoby transfers?

Jacoby transfers are at the two level and allow responder to invite, describe or sign off. Texas transfers are at the four level and place the contract in game at once.

Can you use Texas with a five-card major?

Not normally. With five cards and game values, use a Jacoby transfer and bid 3NT, so opener can choose between notrump and the major.

What does 4NT mean after a Texas transfer?

It is keycard Blackwood with responder's major as trumps. Responder has a slam-going hand and only needs to count keycards.

What is South African Texas?

It is the same idea with 4♣ showing hearts and 4♦ showing spades. Direct jumps to 4♥ and 4♠ then remain natural.