This conventional method was originated by Mr. Max Sapire of East London, South Africa. This version or variation of the Texas Convention or Texas Transfer Bids is also known and designated as Super Texas or Minor For Major.
Basics of the Concept
This variation was developed mainly for one reason only. This reason is that the purpose for the transferring bids might be forgotten by the opener, which, of course, will lead to a disastrous result for the partnership, especially if the opener not only forgets the agreement, but also passes. The logic behind the reasoning by Mr. Max Sapire was that the opener, or partner, will think a bid of a Minor suit on the four level may sound completely unusual and possibly wake up and remember the agreement. The bids at that time were made verbally and without bidding boxes. Since the partners had to rely solely on the audible bids without visual aids, it occurred frequently that the partner viewed the bid as natural, or simply did not recognize the bid and passed.
This variation was an attempted improvement upon the original concept. Instead of one rank higher, the transfer bid in a Minor suit would transfer two ranks higher as illustrated in the following examples:
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Example 2 |
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North |
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South |
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North |
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4  |
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1 NT |
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4  |
4  |
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Pass |
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4  |
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Pass |
The requirements for the responder remain identical to the original version. The responder must have game values and at least a 6-card suit in either Hearts or Spades in order to be able to transfer the No Trump bidder.
The one drawback to this variation was the exclusion of the Gerber convention, which was commonly employed to ask for Aces in a slam attempt.
If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.