Jacoby (and Texas) Transfer Auctions

Jacoby (and Texas) Transfers

The Jacoby Transfer transfers the play of the hand from responder to opener. This change of the declarer:

conceals the strong hand from opponents, and
forces the opening lead to come up to the strong hand.

After the opening bid of 1NT, if responder has a 5 card (or longer) major suit, responder transfers opener to the suit by bidding the lower ranking suit ‘2♦ transfers to 2♥’ and ‘2♥ transfers to 2♠’. After transfer has been completed, responder bids:

Most conventions and/or systems are subject to different usage and interpretations; while Jacoby Transfer is fairly standard, some usage may vary. The following tables are based on common elements of published versions of Jacoby Transfers. In application, it is imperative to have a partnership agreement on the use of Jacoby Transfer.

A Jacoby Transfer bidding sequence of 1Nt - 2♥ shows that responder holds a 5-card spade suit and asks opener to bid 2♠.

Opener	Comments	Responder	Comments
1NT	See Opening 1NT	2♥	Transfers to 2♠.
2♠	Completes the transfer.	Pass	0-7 hcps.
		2NT	8-9 hcps & 5 card support.*
		3♣♦♥	Shows 2^nd 5 card suit.
		3♠	8-9 hcps & 6 card support.
		3NT	10+ hcps & 5 card support.*
		4♠	10+ hcps & 6 card support.

* By transferring opener to a major suit, responder is promising 5 card support, thus, responder cannot rebid the major without 6 card support.

9 Card Fit – If the 1NT opener has 4-card support for the transferred suit (a 9 card fit) and a maximum for the 1NT, opener should jump to 3 of the major.

Opener	Comments	Responder	Comments
1NT	See Opening 1NT	2♦	Transfers to 2♥.
3♥	w/ 4♥ and 17 hcps.

Texas Transfers – If responder to 1NT has a six-card or longer suit and wants to play at the game level in the major with no intentions of slam, responder should transfer at the four-level. The Texas Transfer is a much weaker response (less than 8 hcps) than a transfer at the two-level … a transfer at the two-level and rebid of the major at the three or four-level is an invitational bid.

Opener	Comments	Responder	Comments
1NT	See Opening 1NT	4♦	Transfers to 4♥.
4♥	Completes transfer.

NOTE: A jump at the three-level, from 1NT by the Opener to 3♥ by the Responder, is not a transfer bid. It is a slam invitation by the Responder.

Very Strong Hands – If you have enough to make a slam try with a relatively balanced hand and a 5 card major, responder transfers at the two-level and then bids 4NT. This bidding sequence builds on the quantitative bid of Opener – 1NT; Responder – 4NT; Opener – 6NT used to get to slam after an opening 1NT, however you have now shown the opener your 5 card major and opener has the added option of 5♥ or 6♥.

Opener	Comments	Responder	Comments
1NT	See Opening 1NT	2♦	Transfers to 2♥.
2♥	Completes transfer.	4NT	Not Blackwood.
5♥	Bottom of bid and ♥.
6♥	Top of bid and ♥.
6NT	Top of bid and balanced.

Minor Suit Transfers – Minor suit transfers are not covered in this class.