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South African Texas Transfers


South African Texas Transfers are transfer bids in response to a 1NT opening. They are a variation of Texas Transfers, and use the club and diamond suits (instead of diamonds and hearts) to transfer to the majors.

4 shows at least 6 hearts and game values, requiring partner to rebid 4.
4 shows at least 6 spades and game values, requiring partner to rebid 4.

South African Texas is less popular than Texas Transfers. The minor benefit of South African Texas is that it is theoretically easier to remember 4D as a transfer bid rather than 4H. The drawback to South African Texas is the loss of Gerber 4C.

It can also be noted that South African Texas offers the ability to show game-forcing spade hands in three ways:

  • Via a 2H Jacoby Transfer followed by a 4S rebid, hinting at slam.
  • Via a 4D transfer.
  • Via a direct 4S bid.

In interference, South African Texas is only on if the interference is lower than 3.


Origins

South African Texas is attributed to Max Sapire of South Africa, a prominent player in the 1960s and 1970s. According to the Encyclopedia of Bridge, it is also credited as the original form of Texas Transfers invented by American player David Carter.