BridgeHands

Texas Transfer - An extension to the Jacoby Transfer convention, enabling the Notrump opener to become declarer when the responder holds six or more cards in a major suit and wishes to at least bid game (historically, Texas was devised before Jacoby, independently created by David Carter and Olle Willner).  This allows the stronger hand to remain unexposed, minimize obstructive interference from the opponents, and address certain slam bidding problems.  After Opener bids 1 or 2 Notrump, the basic Responder's announced "transfer" bids are:

Most players agree to "systems on" treatment - if an opponent overcalls, partner's Texas Transfer bid is still on.   Examples:
 

Bidding	Meaning
1N - (2C) - 4D	Responder has 6+ Hearts, thus 1 Notrump opener makes a transfer bid to Hearts.  Responder ignores the opponent's interference and opener obeys by rebidding 4H
1N - (3C) - 4H	Responder has 6+ Spades, thus 1 Notrump opener makes a transfer bid to Spades.  Same as above.
1N - (3D) - 4D	Two variations are played here (only when opponent bids 3D): 1.  Players ignore interference, following above treatment - thus, 4D instructs opener to bid 4H 2. Players revert to "Systems Off" over opponent 3D bid - thus, 4D is "Stayman", asking opener to bid a 4 card major.  When responder has a 5+ card major, responder simply bids the suit and opener does not transfer.
1N - (3H) - 4H 1N - (4x) - 4H	As above, Responder has 6+ Spades, thus 1 Notrump opener makes a transfer bid to Spades.  Regardless of treatment used in above (3D interference) example, the standard "systems on" treatment applies

Advanced players combine the Jacoby and Texas Transfer conventional responses to show communicate Slam opportunities.  As anticipated, beginning with Jacoby Transfer promises 5 trump, not forcing trump; first bidding Texas Transfer does promise 6+ trump, establishing the trump suit:
 

Response	Meaning
1N - 4D; 4H - P;	This becomes the only way to force a signoff game, showing game values with a 6 card major suit.
1N - 2D; 2H - 4H;	Beginning with Jacoby, then jumping to game is a Quantitative showing 6 cards in major suit or a good 5 and slam invitational values, asking Opener to: Pass  - with a minimum 1 Notrump opener 6H/S - with a maximum
1N - 4D; 4H - 4N;	This becomes the only way to force trump and make a Blackwood Ace ask (RKC, 1430, etc)
1N - 2D; 2H - 4N;	Beginning with Jacoby then bidding 4N is also Quantitative (not Blackwood) showing 5 cards in major suit and slam invitational values.  Opener becomes captain, bidding: Pass  - with a minimum 1 Notrump opener 6H/S - with a maximum and 3+ trump 6N     - with a maximum and 2 trump

Partnership agreements may vary when playing both Jacoby and Texas Transfers.

Also see Books on Jacoby Transfers