Jacoby Transfers, an extension of the Stayman convention, allows a team to use the weakest hand as the dummy and keep the strongest hand hidden during the play of the hand.
To precipitate a transfer after the Opener has bid 1-NT, the Responder bids :
- 2-Diamonds to prompt the Opener to bid 2-Hearts
- 2-Hearts to prompt the Opener to bid 2-Spades
- 2-Spades to prompt the Opener to bid 3-Clubs
- 3-Clubs to prompt the Opener to bid 3-Diamonds.
As a prerequisite to transferring to a minor suit, partnership agreements typically require the Responder to have 6+ cards in the minor suit and a weak hand.
For the Responder’s second bid, Responder will:
- Pass with 0-7 total points
- Bid 2-NT with 8-9 total points
- Bid 3-NT with 10+ total points.
Following Responder’s second bid, Opener will:
- Pass without 3-card support for Responder’s trump suit
- Bid 3 of the trump suit with 3-card support following Responder’s 2-NT bid
- Bid 4 of the trump suit with 3-card support following Responder’s 3-NT bid.
Texas Transfers
Texas transfers, an extension of Jacoby Transfers, forces the Opener to bid game in a major suit. To precipitate a Texas transfer after the Opener has bid 1-NT, the Responder bids :
- 4-Diamonds to prompt the Opener to bid 4-Hearts
- 4-Hearts to prompt the Opener to bid 4-Spades.
As a prerequisite to a Texas transfer, the partnership agreement requires the Responder to have game-going values and 6+ cards in the major suit. Following the Opener’s bid, the Responder passes or investigates slam.
