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Texas transfer

Texas transfer, or simply Texas, is a bidding convention in contract bridge. Originated independently by David Carter of St. Louis and Olle Willner of Sweden, and used in response to a notrump opening when holding a six-card or longer major suit, game-going points and no interest in slam, its objective is to make the notrump opener the declarer in a game contract in the major suit.

After a notrump opening, responder bids the suit below his major at the four-level, i.e. if he holds hearts, he bids 4 and if he holds spades, he bids 4. Opener is obliged to bid the next available major suit, i.e. after a 4 bid by responder, he bids 4 and after a 4 response, he bids 4 setting the contract.

In the variant known as South African Texas, responses of 4 and 4 are used as transfers to hearts and spades respectively.

The standard defense to the Texas Transfer: double is one-suited and lead-directing, 4NT is for the minors, four of responder’s suit is a Michaels cuebid. A delayed double after opener accepts the transfer is a three-suited takeout.

Both Texas and South African Texas transfers may also be used as opening pre-emptive bids. A 4 and 4 can show a slightly different hand type (usually stronger) compared to a direct 4 or 4 opening.

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