Variable Captaincy Positives

Preliminaries

The 1C opening bid is necessarily a key aspect of SCREAM. Frequent use is made of symmetric relays at a variety of level adjustments with respect to standard SCRAPE. An appreciation of the design of the structure is helpful when recalling the meanings of bids at the table and will be discussed below.

Classically, strong club systems have utilised a negative/positive response at responder's first call. The strength required for the positive varies from system to system according to the strength of the 1C opening and the desire of the partnership for a positive response to generate a game-forcing auction. Precision-type approaches sometimes give the 1C opener the option of making a descriptive auction or using asking bids after responder's positive response. Symmetric relay methods ordinarily utilise a step 1 asking bid to the exclusion of alternate descriptive auctions, because the nature of responder's descriptive positive is normally quite different from "naturl" bidding (e.g. having shown a suit, that suit may or may not be the longest suit, and any future suit shown using simple methods also cannot be known to be longer or shorter than the first suit). This expectation of bidding problems impels the 1C opener to continue to relay on some unsuitable hands that cannot be allocated an alternate highly descriptive relay-breaking aution. When referring to the two hands in a relay auction, the standard abbreviations of "R" for Relayer and "RR" for Relay Responder will be used.

Symmetric relays are a well-known and effective tool for constructive auctions, However it is not always appreciated that they are most effective for two hand categories. These are those hands that need detailed description of shape for game purposes, or both detailed shape and precise honour location for slam purposes. The relay approach is much more effective if the hand receiving shape information (i.e. R) has length opposite shown shortages. If a primary fit is found then the honour strength opposite any shortages is known for slam purposes (as in standard "splinter" methods). If a primary fit is not found, the honour strength opposite any shortages is again known for selecting the best strain. The simplest way to increase effectiveness in this area is to have a balanced hand receive shape description from an unbalanced hand, where such a choice exists. To achieve this without penalty to the level at which the unbalanced shapes are shown, and treat sub-positive hands reasonably, there must exist auctions where R is not yet known while each partner shows some range of shapes that include the possibility of being balanced.

Design Objectives

The following objectives were met in the design of the structure:

Extensive use of symmetric relay structures
Balanced hands receive description of unbalanced hands - thus flexible captaincy
Strong parallelism of structures for describing an unbalanced opener or responder
Freedom of 1C opener to demand description from partner
Immediate definition of positive, semipositive and negative responding hands (for there exist freak hands that might wish to insist on a positive responder revealing their shape)
Adoption of elements of SCRAPE where appropriate
Preservation of a near-constant level of relay response level adjustment within broad categories of responding hand strengths

Experience with SCRAPE has suggested that an approach that separates full negatives from semipositive and positive hands is fruitful in stopping partscore hands at low levels, while retaining a reasonable invitational structure.

For those making the transition from SCRAPE and related symmetric methods, the re-use of some structures will prove efficient. Indubitably, using a consistent degree of level adjustment in positive relay auctions will lead to more effective bidding in practice.

When using a strong 1C opening bid the subsequent auctions need never be concerned with right-siding club contracts, however the bidding structure can be designed to right-side other denominations. There exist several cases where relevant suit(s) are unbid and the "simple" relay structure would lead to a bid in an unshown suit showing length in that suit. In SCREAM we define conditions where such a structure would be modified. This contradicts the SCRAPE style of making low-ranking bids with more cards in high-ranking suits, but does so consistently and for a clear objective. The conditions for such "on-the-fly" modification of relay structures discussed here are used, both in the design of the normal structure, and in any level-adjustment after interference.

Most1NT relay responses show hands with major-suit holdings. This is advantageous, as it would be preferable to respond 1NT with hands that are less likely to end declaring notrump contracts.

Responding to the opening strong 1C

After 1C

All hands with 14+ HCP unbalanced, 15+ HCP balanced

1D					Positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, either balanced (including any 5332), one-suited with a major or two-suited with a major and a minor.
	1H				Balanced (including any 5332), or one-suited with spades, or two-suited with spades and a minor, or unbalanced intending to force responder to show shape.
		1S			Positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, balanced, or two-suited with hearts and diamonds.
			1NT		Balanced, or unbalanced intending to force responder to show shape.
				2C	2-suited with H and D (symmetric continuations) (mnemonic = bidding clubs when holding diamonds)
				2D	Balanced with no major suit (including 5332 shapes) (symmetric continuations)
				2H+	Balanced with a major suit (including 5332 shapes) (symmetric continuations)
			2C		2-suited with S and D (symmetric continuations)
			2D		2-suited with 4+S and 5+C (symmetric continuations)
			2H		2-suited with 5+S and 4C (symmetric continuations)
			2S+		1-suited with 6+S (symmetric continuations)
		1NT			Positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, one-suited with spades, or two-suited with spades and clubs.
			2C		Game-forcing relay
				2D	2-suited with 4+S and 5+C (symmetric continuations)
				2H	2-suited with 5+S and 4C (symmetric continuations)
				2S+	1-suited with 6+S (symmetric continuations)
		2C			2-suited with S and D (symmetric continuations)
		2D			2-suited with 4+H and 5+C (symmetric continuations)
		2H			2-suited with 5+H and 4C (symmetric continuations)
		2S+			1-suited with 6+H (symmetric continuations)
	1S				One-suited with hearts, or two-suited with hearts and a minor.
		1NT			Game-forcing relay
			2C		2-suited with H and D (symmetric continuations)
			2D		2-suited with 4+H and 5+C (symmetric continuations)
			2H		2-suited with 5+H and 4C (symmetric continuations)
			2S+		1-suited with 6+H (symmetric continuations)
	1NT				Two-suited or three-suited with both majors.
		2C			Game-forcing relay
			2D		3-suited with both majors (symmetric continuations)
			2H+		2-suited with S and H (symmetric continuations)
	2C				2-suited with D and C (symmetric continuations)
	2D				1-suited with 6+D (symmetric continuations) (contrast with this auction)
	2H				3-suited with both minors (symmetric continuations)
	2S+				1-suited with 6+C (symmetric continuations)
1H					Any semipositive 5-7 HCP or 5-8 HCP balanced
	1S				Relay, either GF or intermediate balanced (with the latter, responder plans to break relay to show a natural invitation), and then SCRAPE shape-showing adjusted up two levels
		1NT			Unbalanced 4+S
		2C			Unbalanced 4+H 0-3S
		2D			Unbalanced 4+C 0-3S 0-3H Note that the conditions for relay structure modification apply here.
		2H			Balanced with a major suit (including 5332 shapes) (symmetric continuations)
		2S			Balanced with no major suit (including 5332 shapes) (symmetric continuations)
		2NT			3-suited with both minors (symmetric continuations)
		3C+			1-suited with 6+D (symmetric continuations)
	1NT				Minimum balanced or near-balanced; then Stayman and four-suit transfers (or anything by agreement)
	2C				Unbalanced, 5+C, non-forcing
	2D				Unbalanced, 5+D, non-forcing
	2H				Unbalanced, 5+H, non-forcing
	2S				Unbalanced, 5+D, non-forcing
1S					Negative 0-4 HCP
	1NT				Balanced or near-balanced or unbalanced with clubs; then two-level suit bids natural and non-forcing
	2C				Game force (continuations here)
	2D				Unbalanced 5+D
	2H				Unbalanced 5+H
	2S				Unbalanced 5+S
1NT					Positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, two-suited or three-suited with both majors
	2C				Game-forcing relay
		2D			3-suited with both majors (symmetric continuations)
		2H+			2-suited with S and H (symmetric continuations)
2C					2-suited with D and C (symmetric continuations)
2D					1-suited with 6+C (symmetric continuations) (contrast with this auction) Note that the conditions for relay structure modification apply here.
2H					3-suited with both minors (symmetric continuations)
2S+					1-suited with 6+D (symmetric continuations)

Responding to the opening strong 1C (expanded version)

After 1C

All hands with 14+ HCP unbalanced, 15+ HCP balanced

1D		Positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, either balanced (including any 5332), one-suited with a major or two-suited with a major and a minor. (step in)
1H		Any semipositive 5-7 HCP or 5-8 HCP balanced (step in)
1S		Negative 0-4 HCP (step in)
1NT		Positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, two-suited or three-suited with both majors (step in)
2C		2-suited with D and C (symmetric continuations)
2D		1-suited with 6+C (symmetric continuations) (contrast with this auction) Note that the conditions for relay structure modification apply here.
2H		3-suited with both minors (symmetric continuations)
2S+		1-suited with 6+D (symmetric continuations)

After 1C 1D

(step out) Positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, either balanced (including any 5332), one-suited with a major or two-suited with a major and a minor.

1H		Balanced (including any 5332), or one-suited with spades, or two-suited with spades and a minor, or unbalanced intending to force responder to show shape. (step in)
1S		One-suited with hearts, or two-suited with hearts and a minor. (step in)
1NT		Two-suited or three-suited with both majors. (step in)
2C		2-suited with D and C (symmetric continuations)
2D		1-suited with 6+D (symmetric continuations) (contrast with this auction)
2H		3-suited with both minors (symmetric continuations)
2S+		1-suited with 6+C (symmetric continuations)

After 1C 1D; 1H

(step out) Balanced (including any 5332), or one-suited with spades, or two-suited with spades and a minor, or unbalanced intending to force responder to show shape.

1S		Positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, balanced, or two-suited with hearts and diamonds. (step in)
1NT		Positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, one-suited with spades, or two-suited with spades and clubs. (step in)
2C		2-suited with S and D (symmetric continuations)
2D		2-suited with 4+H and 5+C (symmetric continuations)
2H		2-suited with 5+H and 4C (symmetric continuations)
2S+		1-suited with 6+H (symmetric continuations)

After 1C 1D; 1H 1S

(step out) Positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, balanced, or two-suited with hearts and diamonds.

1NT		Balanced, or unbalanced intending to force responder to show shape. (step in)
2C		2-suited with S and D (symmetric continuations)
2D		2-suited with 4+S and 5+C (symmetric continuations)
2H		2-suited with 5+S and 4C (symmetric continuations)
2S+		1-suited with 6+S (symmetric continuations)

After 1C 1D; 1H 1S; 1NT

(step out) Balanced, or unbalanced intending to force responder to show shape.

2C		2-suited with H and D (symmetric continuations) (mnemonic = bidding clubs when holding diamonds)
2D		Balanced with no major suit (including 5332 shapes) (symmetric continuations)
2H+		Balanced with a major suit (including 5332 shapes) (symmetric continuations)

After 1C 1D; 1H 1NT; 2C

(step out) Game-forcing relay after showing positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, one-suited with spades, or two-suited with spades and clubs.

2D		2-suited with 4+S and 5+C (symmetric continuations)
2H		2-suited with 5+S and 4C (symmetric continuations)
2S+		1-suited with 6+S (symmetric continuations)

After 1C 1D; 1S 1NT

(step out) Game-forcing relay after showing one-suited with hearts, or two-suited with hearts and a minor.

2C		2-suited with H and D (symmetric continuations)
2D		2-suited with 4+H and 5+C (symmetric continuations)
2H		2-suited with 5+H and 4C (symmetric continuations)
2S+		1-suited with 6+H (symmetric continuations)

After 1C 1D; 1NT 2C

(step out) Game-forcing relay after showing two-suited or three-suited with both majors.

2D		3-suited with both majors (symmetric continuations)
2H+		2-suited with S and H (symmetric continuations)

After 1C 1H

(step out) Any semipositive 5-7 HCP or 5-8 HCP balanced

1S		Relay, either GF or intermediate balanced (with the latter, responder plans to break relay to show a natural invitation), and then SCRAPE shape-showing adjusted up two levels (step in)
1NT		Minimum balanced or near-balanced; then Stayman and four-suit transfers (or anything by agreement)
2C		Unbalanced, 5+C, non-forcing
2D		Unbalanced, 5+D, non-forcing
2H		Unbalanced, 5+H, non-forcing
2S		Unbalanced, 5+D, non-forcing

After 1C 1H; 1S

(step out)

Relay after any semipositive 5-7 HCP or 5-8 HCP balanced

1NT		Unbalanced 4+S
2C		Unbalanced 4+H 0-3S
2D		Unbalanced 4+C 0-3S 0-3H Note that the conditions for relay structure modification apply here.
2H		Balanced with a major suit (including 5332 shapes) (symmetric continuations)
2S		Balanced with no major suit (including 5332 shapes) (symmetric continuations)
2NT		3-suited with both minors (symmetric continuations)
3C+		1-suited with 6+D (symmetric continuations)

After 1C 1S

(step out) Negative 0-4 HCP

1NT		Balanced or near-balanced or unbalanced with clubs; then two-level suit bids natural and non-forcing
2C		Game force (continuations here)
2D		Unbalanced 5+D
2H		Unbalanced 5+H
2S		Unbalanced 5+S

After 1C 1NT

(step out) Game-forcing relay after showing positive 9+ HCP balanced or 8+HCP unbalanced, two-suited or three-suited with both majors

2D		3-suited with both majors (symmetric continuations)
2H+		2-suited with S and H (symmetric continuations)

Relays with a very strong hand opposite a very weak hand

After Pass 1S; 2C

2D			Third negative 0-2(3)HCP any shape
	2H		Natural not forcing
	2S		Natural, not forcing
	2NT		23+ balanced (Puppet Stayman and transfers)
	3X		Natural game forcing
2H			4M and 5+m (neither suit specified)
	2S		Game-forcing relay
		2NT	4S 5+D
		3C	4S 5+C
		3D	4H 5+D
		3H	4H 5+C
		Low-ranking bids promise high-ranking suits, consistent with remainder of the system.
2S			Shows a hand describable with Puppet Stayman and transfers (all balanced, all long-major hands, both minors) and guarantees a rebid after any non-game bid by opener, who is not constrained to bid 2NT.
2NT			Three-suited hand
	3C		Game-forcing relay
		3D	Three-suited with short clubs
		3H	Three-suited with short diamonds
		3S	Three-suited with short hearts
		3NT	Three-suited with short spades
3X			Shows a single-suiter of (usually) at least 7 cards.