

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4-Card Canapé

Symmetric Relay System

Mark Abraham / Tim Johnson

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Back

1. Description of Opening Bids *

2. 1§ OPENING (15+ HCP any shape) *

RESPONSES SUMMARY *

Continuations After Positive Responses To 1§ *

2.1 Introduction *

2.2 Single-suited relay structure (5+ suit) *

Rebids after relay with single-suited positive: *

Continuations after 3§ direct/indirect responses *

A. Indirect 3§ (Even shortage). *

B. Direct 3§ (Even shortage). *

2.3 Two-Suited Relay Structure *

Continuations after 2ª rerebid (showing 5/5) *

Rebids when holding both minors *

2.4 Three-Suited Relay Structure *

(a) Three-suited with both majors: *

(b) Three-suited with both minors: *

2.5 Balanced Relay Structure *

Reverse relay *

2.6 Controls and minimum/maximum *

2.7 Denial Cue-bidding *

Solid-suit Exceptions *

Short-suit Cue-bidding *

2.8 The 3NT Weak Relay *

2.9 Game Probe Relay *

Negative response *

Game Force response *

After Interference *

Continuations after negative responses to 1§ *

2.10 1¨ negative response to 1§ *

After 1§-1¨: *

After 1§-1¨-1©: *

After 1§-1¨-1©-1ª: *

After 1§-1¨-1©-1ª-2§: *

After 1§-1¨-1©-1ª-2§-2¨-2NT (23-24 balanced) *

3. 1¨ OPENING *

REQUIREMENT: 10-14 HCP, 4+/4+ minors, may be three-suited *

RESPONSES SUMMARY *

After 1ª-2§ *

4. 1© OPENING *

REQUIREMENT: 10-14 HCP, 4+ª, 0-3©, may be three-suited, may have a longer minor *

RESPONSES SUMMARY *

After 1©-1ª *

After 1©-1ª -1NT-2§ (R) *

5. 1ª OPENING *

REQUIREMENT: 10-14 HCP, 4+ ª, may have longer minor *

RESPONSES SUMMARY *

After 1ª -1NT *

After 1ª-1NT-2§ -2¨ (R) *

After 1ª-1NT-2¨ -2© (R) *

6. 1NT OPENING *

REQUIREMENT: 11-14 HCP, balanced, 4333, 4432, 5332 with a minor *

RESPONSES SUMMARY *

After 1N-2§ *

After 1N-2§-2¨ *

After 1N-2§-2¨-2© (R) *

After 1N-2§-2© *

After 1N-2§-2©-2ª (R) *

3© 4 diamonds, low shortage, 3442 *

After 1N-2§-2ª *

After 1N-2§-2ª -3§ (R) *

6.2 Major Suit Transfer Sequences *

After 1NT-2¨ -2© *

After 1NT-2© -2ª *

7. 2§ OPENING *

REQUIREMENT: 10-14 HCP, 6+§; or 6-9 HCP, 6+¨; or 6-9 HCP, 5+/5+ ©&ª *

RESPONSES SUMMARY *

After 2§ -2¨ *

After 2§ -2¨ -2© *

After 2§ -2¨ -2©-2NT *

After 2§-2©: *

8. 2¨ OPENING *

REQUIREMENT: 10-14 HCP, 6+¨; or 6-9 HCP, 6+©; or 6-9 HCP, 5+/5+ ª&§ *

RESPONSES SUMMARY *

After 2¨ -2© *

After 2¨ -2©-2ª *

After 2¨ -2©-2ª -2NT *

After 2¨ -2ª : *

9. 2© OPENING *

REQUIREMENT: Acol II in ©(8-9 PT), usually < 15 HCP; or 6-9 HCP, 6+ª; or 6-9 HCP 5+/5+ §&¨ *

RESPONSES SUMMARY *

After 2©-2ª: *

After 2©-2NT: *

10. 2ª OPENING *

REQUIREMENT: Acol II IN ª (8-9 PT), usually < 15 HCP; or 6-9 HCP, 6+§; or 6-9 HCP 5+/5+ ¨&© *

RESPONSES SUMMARY *

After 2ª-3§: *

After 2ª-2NT: *

11. 2NT OPENING *

REQUIREMENT: 6-9 HCP, 5+/5+ in ª&¨ or ª&§ *

RESPONSES SUMMARY *

After 2NT-3©: *

12. COMPETITIVE BIDDING SITUATIONS *

12.1 Interference in relay Auctions *

3¨ Criterion *

Interference by 2^nd hand *

Call Meaning *

Interference by 4^th hand *

Exception to the 3¨ Criterion *

12.2 Interference after 1§ opening *

Archimedes - one level interference up to 1NT *

ARCHIMEDES CONTINUATIONS *

After Double (0-4) *

After bid - semi positive level adjusted (control responses) *

After positive pass (begins relays) *

Relay responses *

Two level interference - Rubinsohl *

Three level interference *

12.3 Interference after 1¨ opening *

After a double: *

After an suit overcall *

12.4 Interference after 1© opening *

Suited overcalls *

Notrump overcalls *

After a double: *

12.5 Interference after 1ª opening *

Suited overcalls *

Notrump overcalls *

After a double: *

12.6 Interference after 1NT opening *

12.7 Interference after 2§/2¨/ 2©/2ª/2NT openings *

12.8 Interference over Blackwood *

DOPI and ROPI: *

13. DEFENSIVE BIDDING SITUATIONS *

13.1 Doubles *

Precision Double - NOT USED *

Responsive double *

Relay double *

Takeout doubles *

Takeout double with Rubinsohl *

Negative doubles *

Reopening doubles and balancing doubles *

Positive slam doubles *

Lightner double *

Weak notrump double *

SOS Redoubles *

Second-suit doubles *

Power Doubles *

Support Doubles and Redoubles *

13.2 Overcalls – see also Appendix 3 - The Overcall Structure *

Simple overcalls *

Responses: *

Responder’s bids with support after partners overcall *

After sequence like 1ª-(2§)-2¨-? *

1NT overcall *

Jump overcalls *

Michaels *

Bidding in 4th seat after two suits by opponents *

13.3 Defence to strong 1§ opening *

13.4 SWINE convention *

13.5 Defenses to various conventional openings by opponents *

European Multi 2D - i.e. strong hands or weak two in either major *

Forcing Pass *

Pass *

Fert Bid *

Transfer openings *

CRO, RCO, OCR etc bids *

13.6 2NT Seldom Natural in Competition *

14. LEADS, SIGNALS AND DISCARDS *

Suit contracts *

Leads from honours: *

Leads from length: *

Signals: *

Discards: *

No trump contracts *

Leads from honours: *

Leads from length: *

Signals: *

Discards: *

Appendices *

Appendix 1 - hand shapes *

Single-suiters *

Two-suiters *

Three-suiters *

balanced *

Appendix 2 - Possible future additions *

Rubens Advances (from Bridge World April 1981) *

Appendix 3 - The Overcall Structure *

Introduction *

One No Trump for Takeout (NTTO) *

Responses to a NTTO -- Uncontested Auction *

Responses to a NTTO - Contested Auction *

After a double *

After a new suit or a raise *

The Simple Overcall (SO) at the One Level *

Responses to a SO -- Uncontested Auction *

Responses to SO -- Contested Auction *

The Two Level Overcall (TLO) *

The Roman Jump Overcall (RJO) *

Responses to a RJO - Uncontested Auction *

Responses to a RJO - Contested Auction *

The Two-suited Cue Bid (QB) *

The 2 No Trump Overcall *

Responses to 2NT - Uncontested Auction *

Responses to 2NT - Contested Auction *

The Power Double (PD) *

Transfer-Ori.e.nted Symmetric Relay Extensions to the Power Double *

The Intermediate Jump Overcall (IJO) *

NAMYATS *

Responses to NAMYATS *

2ª Jump Over 1§ *

3 Level Jump Cue Bid *

Alerts in the Structure *

1. Description of Opening Bids

1§	15+ HCP, any shape.
1¨	10-14 HCP, 4+/4+ in minors, may be three-suited with both minors.
1©	10-14 HCP, 4+©, may have a longer suit, may be three-suited.
1ª	10-14 HCP, 4+ª , 0-3©, may have a longer minor suit. In third or fourth position we open 1ª with longer spades than hearts.
1NT	11-14 HCP, balanced i.e. 4333, 4432, 5332 with 5 card minor.
2§	10-14 HCP 6+§; or 6-9 HCP, 6+¨; or 6-9 HCP, 5+/5+ in ©+ª
2¨	10-14 HCP 6+¨; or 6-9 HCP, 6+©; or 6-9 HCP, 5+/5+ in ª +§
2©	Acol II (8-9 PT) in ©, usually less than 15 HCP; or 6-9 HCP, 6+ª; or 6-9 HCP, 5+/5+ in ¨+§
2ª	Acol II (8-9 PT) in ª, usually less than 15 HCP; or 6-9 HCP, with 6+§; or 6-9 HCP, 5+/5+ in ©+¨
2NT	6-9 HCP, 5+/5+ in ª+¨ or ©+§
3§	Weak III in ¨ (transfer pre-empt)
3¨	Weak III in © (transfer pre-empt)
3©	Weak III in ª (transfer pre-empt)
3ª	Unspecified nine-card suit, no minimum strength
3NT	Gambling in ª , AKQxxxx, no outside controls
4§-4ª	Pre-emptive with suit bid
4NT	Extreme minors
5§ /5¨	Pre-emptive in suit bid
5©/5ª	11 playing trick hands missing A & K of trumps

2. 1§ OPENING (15+ HCP any shape)
RESPONSES SUMMARY

1¨	Negative: either 0-7 HCP any shape, or less than 2 controls (A=2, K=1), or both.
1©	4+©, 8+ HCP and 2+ controls.
1ª	4+ª, 0-3©, 8+ HCP and 2+ controls.
1NT	Any 4333 or 4432, 8+ HCP, 2+ controls.
2§	4+§, 8+ HCP, 2+ controls, may be three-suited with both minors.
2¨	5+¨, 8+ HCP, 2+ controls and no other suit longer than 3.
2©+	both MINORS, 8+ HCP, 2+ controls and no other suit.

Continuations After Positive Responses To 1§

2.1 Introduction

The 1§ opener will almost always make the cheapest call which is a relay whose only meaning is "tell me more". Eventually the 1§ opener will break the relay sequence to name the final contract. NOTE: 3NT is never a relay. When 3NT is the cheapest call, 4§ is the relay.

2.2 Single-suited relay structure (5+ suit)

	STEP 1 Give positive response in the single suit (1©,1ª ,2§,2¨).
	STEP 2 After relay by 1§ opener, rebid 2ª or higher as indicated below.

Rebids after relay with single-suited positive:

2ª	High shortage - at most 2 cards in highest ranking outside suit, i.e. 1§-1ª -1NT-2ª shows a spade shortage and a hand with 5+ heart suit.
2NT	Middle shortage - at most 2 cards in the middle ranking outside suit; diamond shortage if a major is the long suit, heart shortage if a minor is the long suit. e.g. 1§-1ª -1NT-2NT shows spades and a diamond shortage; and 1§-2§ -2¨ -2NT shows clubs and a heart shortage.
3§	Even shortage - showing two or three doubletons. If 3§ is bid directly (1§-1©-1ª-3§) this shows either 3622 (i.e. two low doubletons) or 7222. If 3§ is bid indirectly (via 2ª - high shortage) i.e. 1§-1©-1ª-2ª-2NT-3§, this shows a high doubleton and one other doubleton i.e. either 2632 or 2623. See continuations below.
3¨	5332 type shape. If 3¨ is reached directly (i.e. not via 2ª or 2NT) then this implies low shortage.
3©	6331 type shape. If 3© is reached directly (i.e. not via 2ª or 2NT) then this implies low shortage.
3ª	7330 type shape etc.
3NT	7321 or 7231 type shape (only identity of 7 card suit and singleton known - low shortage), minimum (8-11 HCP)
4§	7321 or 7231 type shape (only identity of 7 card suit and singleton known - low shortage), maximum (12+ HCP), 0-2 controls; etc

Continuations after 3§ direct/indirect responses

A. Indirect 3§ (Even shortage).

(3¨ Relay)

3©	1 High and 1 Middle doubleton (i.e. 223 residue).
3ª	1 High and 1 Low doubleton (i.e. 232 residue), minimum
3NT	1 High and 1 Low doubleton (i.e. 232 residue), maximum, and 2 controls; etc

B. Direct 3§ (Even shortage).

(3¨ Relay)

3©	Seven carder (i.e. 222 residue).
3ª	Six carder (i.e. 322 residue), minimum
3NT	Six carder (i.e. 322 residue), maximum and 2 controls; etc

2.3 Two-Suited Relay Structure

STEP 1 Give positive response in cheaper major suit (for both minors see later)
STEP 2 After relay by 1§ opener, rebid from 1NT to 2©:
Rebids:
1NT	Spades
2§	Clubs
2¨	Diamonds (and 5+ card major)
2©	Reverser (if bid directly after showing a major, shows a 4 card major and 5+ diamonds)
STEP 3 After both suits have been shown, rerebid 2© or higher:
Rerebids:
2©	Reverser, the higher-ranking suit is exactly 4 cards and other 5+ cards.
2ª	5/5+ shape (See below).
2NT	High shortage (if bid directly, shows lower ranking suit is exactly 4 cards).
3§	Even shortage, 5422 or 7411
	(3¨ Relay):
	3©	7411
	3ª	5422, minimum
	3NT	5422, maximum, 2 controls; etc
3¨	5431 type shape.
3©	6421 type shape.
3ª	7420 type shape.
3NT	6430 type shape, minimum
4§	6430 type shape, maximum, 2 controls; etc
Note: any bid of 3§ upwards bid directly, shows the lower ranking suit is four cards exactly, the higher ranking suit is longer and a LOW shortage.

Continuations after 2ª rerebid (showing 5/5)

(2NT Relay)
3§	High shortage.
3¨	Even shortage (6511, 5611 shape).
	(3© Relay)
	3ª	High shortage (5611).
	3NT	Low shortage (6511), minimum
	4§	Low shortage (6511), maximum, 2 controls; etc.
3©	5521 type shape.
3ª	5530 type shape.
3NT	5620 type shape (high shortage).
4§	6520 type shape, minimum
4¨	6520 type shape, maximum, 2 controls; etc
	Note: any bid of 3© upwards bid directly (i.e. not via 3§/3¨) shows a LOW shortage.

Rebids when holding both minors

Initial positive response to 1§ is 2© or higher as follows:

2©	Reverser (i.e. 4 diamonds and 5+ clubs).
2ª	5/5 type hand (i.e. 5+ diamonds and 5+ clubs)
2NT	High shortage (if bid directly shows 4 clubs, 5+ diamonds and a spade shortage. If bid indirectly via 2©, shows 4 diamonds, 5+ clubs and a spade shortage).
3§	Even shortage, 5422 or 7411 with longer diamonds. With longer clubs, bid 2© first then 3§ over the relay etc)
	(3¨ Relay):
	3©	7411
	3ª	5422, minimum
	3NT	5422, maximum, 2 controls; etc.
3¨	5431 type shape.
3©	6421 type shape.
3ª	7420 type shape.
3NT	6430 type shape, minimum
4§	6430 type shape, maximum, 2 controls; etc
	Note: to show longer clubs, bid 2© first. To show longer diamonds make a bid from 2NT upwards directly. With a spade shortage bid via 2NT, with a heart shortage bid directly from 3¨ upwards depending on hand shape.

* for hands with three suits including both minors - see the next section on next page.
2.4 Three-Suited Relay Structure

Either

(a) Three-suited with both majors:

1§	1©	(Positive with hearts)
1ª	1NT	(and spades)
2§	2¨	(and a minor)

Or:

(b) Three-suited with both minors:

	1§	2§	(Positive with clubs)
	2¨	2©	(and diamonds and a major - NB: this is not a reverser since minor two-suiters start at 2©)

After three-suiter has been established, step responses follow:

	1st Step	High shortage
	2nd Step	4441 (i.e. low shortage)
	3rd Step	4450 (i.e. low shortage)
	4th Step	4540 (i.e. low shortage)
	5th Step	5440, minimum
	6th Step	5440, maximum, 2 controls, etc.

2.5 Balanced Relay Structure

1§-1NT shows any 4333 or 4432, or a red two-suiter, with 8+ HCP and 2+ controls. A CRASH (Colour, RAnk, SHape) Relay Structure is used here.

(2§ Relay)
2¨
	2© (Relay)
	2ª	4333 or 3433
		2NT Relay
		3§	3433
		3¨	4333, minimum
		3©	4333, maximum, 2 c’s, etc.
	2NT
	3§	3442
	3¨	4324
	3©	4234, minimum
	3ª	4234, maximum, 2 controls, etc.

22	Two four card suits of the same *Rank*.
next	2ª Relay	2NT	2344
			3§
			3¨
			3©
			3ª
	Note : bid the doubleton
2ª	4333 (bid directly shows a four card minor, bid via 2¨ shows 4 card major)
next	2NT Relay	3§	3334
			3¨
			3©
2NT	Doubleton spade (§/©), 2434
3§	Doubleton club (¨/ª), 4342
3¨	Doubleton diamond (§/©), 3424
3©	Doubleton heart (¨/ª), 4243, minimum
3ª	Doubleton heart (¨/ª), 4243, maximum, 2 controls, etc.
	Note : bid the doubleton

Reverse relay

In auctions beginning 1§ - 1NT, if opener rebids 2§ as a relay then this denies 15-17 HCP and 4333 or 4432 type shapes. When holding these two hand types (and only these two), opener is required to rebid a reverse relay of 2¨ or higher on the same basis as the CRASH structure employed by responder after the normal 2§ relay. Responder now takes charge of the relays and the 1§ opener is required to show controls starting with a minimum of 2. This exception is designed to have the undescribed hand play 3NT contracts wherever possible. A better relay structure allows the strong hand to bid notrumps, and the weak hand to be described, but the transfer structure is better learned as a variation of this fairly natural one.

2.6 Controls and minimum/maximum

In most relay auctions (except those starting 1§-1¨-1©-1NT+), after exact shape has been shown, the next relay asks for strength and then controls (Ace = 2, King = 1). Singleton kings are counted:

1st step minimum (8-11)

2nd step maximum (12+) + 2 controls

3rd step maximum (12+) + 3 controls; etc

After a 1st step minimum response the next relay asks for controls. The maximum number of controls is five (A, A, K = 11 HCP = 5 controls). Therefore the responses are:

1st step 2 controls

2nd step 3 controls

3rd step 4 controls

4th step 5 controls

A hand limited to 10-14 HCP gives a minimum response on 10-12 HCP and a maximum on 13-14.

2.7 Denial Cue-bidding

After controls have been shown, next relay starts denial cue bidding. Responder looks at their longest suit, then next longest suit, and so on down, then cycling back to their longest suit. When ties in suit length occur, look at highest-ranking suit first. Singletons (including singleton honours) are not looked at in denial cue bidding and are shown by inference only. Doubletons are looked at once. Tripletons are looked at twice (on the second time round queens are investigated). Longer suits are looked at three times. On the first look at a suit, it is inspected for an ace or king. On the second look, it is inspected for an additional top honour (usually a queen) and on the third look, jacks are checked. If the first suit looked at does not have the required honour, the responder denies it by making the cheapest bid. If the responder holds a required honour in the longest suit but not in the second longest suit, then he/she bids the second cheapest bid. Future relays continue asking from where you left off. The highest relay ask is 5NT.

1st step No ace or king in longest suit.

2nd step Ace or king in longest suit and no ace or king in second longest suit.

3rd step Ace or king in longest suit and ace or king in second longest suit and no ace or king in third longest suit; etc.

Solid-suit Exceptions

When holding a solid suit of at least six cards, responder denies that suit on the first scan if the suit is not headed by at least two of the A, K or Q. Having shown at least two of the top three honours, on the second scan, responder denies that suit if it is not AKQxxx or better. After a first denial, a second denial is made if none of the top three honours is held.

When holding a three-card to five-card suit headed by at least AKQ then on the first scan, responder will deny holding the suit, and on the second scan show the suit. The three-control difference should be recognisable to relayer.

Short-suit Cue-bidding

Occasions arise when the relayer is unconcerned about the controls in the responder's suit(s) (either because they are held by relayer, or must be held by responder, or are opposite relayer's singletons or voids). In such circumstances, after the number of controls has been shown, if the previous response was 4© or below, then 4NT is a short suit ask, and responder must begin denial cue bidding, but ignoring his suit(s). Singleton kings are still not shown. 4NT must be Step 2 or higher, and the exact number of controls must have been shown for short suit denial cue bidding to apply. After the response to 4NT, normal step 1 relays continue the short suit denial cue bidding.

2.8 The 3NT Weak Relay

There are a number of situations where the relayer fears that an auction is getting too high where responder might only have 3 or 4 controls. In these situations, the relayer bids 3NT as a weak relay. Responder is usually required to pass with fewer than 5 controls (except - see 4NT bid below) but with more bids as follows:

4§ 5 controls

4¨ 6 controls

4© 7 controls

4ª 8 controls

4NT only 4 controls but lots of queens and jacks.

Exception: if 3NT weak relay has been made when the responder has shown 5422 or 7411, then:

4§ 7411, 2+ controls

4¨ 5422, 5 controls

4© 5422, 6 controls

4ª 5422, 7 controls

4NT 5422, only 4 controls but lots of queens and jacks.

Relayer can resume relaying by making the cheapest bid. Any other bid is a signoff.

2.9 Game Probe Relay

The positive balanced 1NT response to the opening 1§ requires responder to bid a reverse relay with a 15-17 balanced hand. This requirement allows responder to choose to play in a low-level suit suit or notrump contract with a poorly fitting minimal balanced hand of 8-9 HCP. It is clearly an inferior result to play in 3NT with a balanced 15 HCP hand opposite a balanced 8 HCP hand with poor fits and/or wasted values. Playing in 2©, 2ª , 2NT or even in three-level contracts is likely to be superior if 3NT is uncertain.

After a positive suit response, with a possible misfit and a balanced 15-16 HCP hand, opener cannot determine whether game will be playable, as the minimum range for responder's hand is 8-11. Hence being able to inquire at a low level about responder's game prospects opposite a balanced 15-16 count is advantageous.

After responder makes a positive suit response to 1§ , if relayer has a balanced 15-16 HCP hand with no primary fit, or an even better hand with expectation of significant duplication of values, or wastage of secondary honour cards opposite shortness, relayer may show this by bidding Step 2 for relay, rather than the normal Step 1. The Step 2 bid is known as a Game Probe Relay, and asks responder if that hand can sustain game opposite relayer's announced no-fit minimal hand. It denies slam interest. If responder shows a two- or three-suited hand at or below 2¨ , then the Game Probe Relay is available to opener to show a balanced 15-16 HCP hand with no fits (the 2¨ limit ensures the bidding can stop at 2NT)

Negative response

Responder repli.e.s Step 1 with a balanced (5332) or poor semi-balanced (5422, 6322) 8 HCP hand (up to a 10 HCP hand, with poor values in the hand's suits, or other wasted values). Opener than makes the appropriate signoff (which may include a pass)

Game Force response

With an appropriately unbalanced minimal hand, or nearly all 10+ HCP hands, responder makes a Game Force relay response at Step 2 or higher. The response give is that which would have been made over a normal Step 1 relay, but shifted up two steps. Normal relays then continue, but responder no longer gives the minimum/maximum responses. Over a 3NT signoff (as in 2.8 3NT Weak Relay) responder bids on with 5+ controls only if responder's hand makes slam likely opposite relayer's announced hand (this usually means holding 15+ HCP also, as opener knows relayer's shape). Over a control ask, responder makes a Step 1 response with 2 controls, with other steps showing more controls as normal. If relayer gives the highest relay response (which normally requires min or max with controls to be shown) then relayer shows first the 2 control hand, etc. The 4NT short suit ask appli.e.s subject to the usual Step 2 criterion.

After Interference

When the opponents intervene, opener is better placed to judge the potential of the hand, in particular the ability to stop the opponents' suit(s). The Game Probe Relay is not available after any interference, including those that cause steps to be gained. Penalty doubles and passes may prove adequate compensation subject to vulnerability concerns.

Continuations after negative responses to 1§

2.10 1¨ negative response to 1§

After 1§-1¨:

1© 19+ HCP any shape.

1ª-2© natural 15-18 HCP.

2ª+ natural 15-18 HCP, good suit and playing strength; except

2NT 5/5 minors, 15-18 HCP.

3NT to play, based on long running suit with side stoppers, 15-18 HCP.

After 1§-1¨-1©:

1ª Second negative, 0-4 HCP

1NT 5+ HCP and 4+ hearts, could be three-suited with both majors

2§ 5+ HCP and 4+ spades, 0-3 hearts, could have longer minor

2¨ 5+ HCP balanced

2© 5+ HCP and 4+ clubs, could be three-suited with both minors

2ª 5+ HCP and 5+ diamonds and denies other suits.

2NT 5+ HCP, reverser, 4 diamonds, 5+ clubs.

3§ 5+ HCP 5/5 in the minors.

3¨ 5+ HCP, spade shortage, both minors with longer diamonds if bid directly.

3© 5+ HCP, even shortage, both minors with longer diamonds if bid directly.

3ª 5+ HCP, 5431 shape with low shortage, and longer diamonds if bid directly.

3NT 5+ HCP, 6421 shape with low shortage, and longer diamonds if bid directly.

4§ 5+ HCP, 7420 shape with low shortage, and longer diamonds if bid directly.

4¨ 5+ HCP, 6430 shape with 8+ points

4© 5+ HCP, 6430 shape with 0 controls; etc (NB maximum controls = 3)

NOTE: The full relay structure is used as normal but shifted up 2 steps.

After 1§-1¨-1©-1ª:

1NT 19-22 balanced.

2§ 23+ any shape.

2¨, 2©, 2ª, 3§, Natural, non-forcing, 19-22 HCP.

2NT 19-22 at least 5/5 in minors.

3NT to play, based on long running suit with side stoppers.

After 1§-1¨-1©-1ª-2§:

2¨ balanced (and now 2NT response = 23-24 balanced).

2© 4+ ©

2ª relay 2NT = spades

3§ = clubs

3¨ = diamonds

3© = reverser

3ª = 5©, single-suiter

3NT = 6©, single-suiter

4§ = 7+ª , single-suiter

2ª 4+ spades and deni.e.s ©

2NT relay 3§ = clubs

3¨ = diamonds

3© = reverser

3ª = 5 spades, single-suiter

3NT = 6 spades, single-suiter

4§ = 7+ spades, single-suiter

2NT NOT BID

3§ 4+ clubs

3¨ relay 3© = three-suiter

3ª = 5 clubs

3NT= 6 clubs etc

3¨ 5+ diamonds.

3© relay 3ª = 5 diamonds

3NT= 6 diamonds etc

3© minors, longer clubs

3ª minors, 5-5 or longer

3NT minors, longer diamonds

Opener may relay again to find shortages, then 0-2 controls then showing the feature with 1 or 2 controls. With no controls the opener now make the final decision.

After two suits have been shown with the relative lengths the next relay is to identify the length of the longer suit as in the example below.

eg: 1§ 1¨

1© 1ª

2§ 2© hearts

2ª* 2NT & spades.

3§* 3© reverser i.e. 4 spades and 5+ hearts.

3ª* 3NT 4 spades and 5 hearts.

4§ 4 spades and 6 hearts.

4¨ 4 spades and 7 hearts.

After 1§-1¨-1©-1ª-2§:

After 2 © - 2ª relay 2NT (showing spades)

3§ (relay) 3¨ shows three-suiter, with the majors

3© shows reverser

3ª shows 5-5

After 2 ª - 2NT (relay) 3§ clubs

3¨ relay 3© shows reverser

3ª shows 5-5

After 2 ª - 2NT (relay) 3¨ diamonds (longer spades)

3© relay 3ª shows 5-5

After 3 § - 3¨ (relay) 3© three-suiter

3ªshows 5-5

After 1§-1¨-1©-1ª-2§-2¨-2NT (23-24 balanced)

3§ 5 card Stayman.

3¨ 1 or 2 four card majors

After 3§ - 3¨:

3© Four ©, may have 4 spades

3ª Four spades, deni.e.s 4 ©

3NT No major

3© 5 ©

3ª 5 spades

3NT No 4 or 5 card major

3. 1¨ OPENING
REQUIREMENT: 10-14 HCP, 4+/4+ minors, may be three-suited

Point ranges for some of the responses below vary with vulnerability. 8+/6+ indicates 8+ non-vulnerable and 6+ vulnerable. 0-7/0-5 indicates 0-7 non-vulnerable and 0-5 vulnerable

RESPONSES SUMMARY

Pass To play with diamonds or weak

1© Natural, 5+©, non-forcing, may be invitational. Opener raises on 3+© or bids longer minor or 1ª with a three-suiter.

1ª Natural, 5+ª , non-forcing, may be invitational. Opener raises on 3+ª or bids longer minor or 1NT with a three-suiter.

1NT Natural, non-forcing, may include club tolerance, 8-11 – natural, no club preference by a passed hand

2§ GAME FORCE RELAY - natural by a passed hand 8-10/6-10

2¨ Natural, non-forcing, may be invitational.

2© Fit showing jump for a minor - 2NT enquires

2ª Fit showing jump for a minor - 2NT enquires

2NT Pre-emptive with both minors

3§ Pre-emptive

3¨ Pre-emptive

3© Pre-emptive with 9 cards in hearts and a minor

3ª Pre-emptive with 9 cards in spades and a minor

3NT To play

4§ Preemptive

4¨ Preemptive

After 1ª-2§

2¨ Three-suiter with both minors

2© Reverser: 5+ §, 4¨

2ª 5/5

2NT High shortage, 5+¨, 4§, etc.

4. 1© OPENING
REQUIREMENT: 10-14 HCP, 4+ª, 0-3©, may be three-suited, may have a longer minor

Point ranges for some of the responses below vary with vulnerability. 8+/6+ indicates 8+ non-vulnerable and 6+ vulnerable. 0-7/0-5 indicates 0-7 non-vulnerable and 0-5 vulnerable

RESPONSES SUMMARY

1NT Natural, implies 3 to a bad 5 spades. Opener bids spades with 4 card support. 8-11/6-11

2§ Natural, 5+ clubs, non-forcing, may be invitational, 8+/6+

2¨ Natural, 5+ diamonds, non-forcing, may be invitational, 8+/6+

2© 8 - 12 HCP, 3 or 4 hearts, NOT 11-12 and 4 hearts - 8-10 with 4 hearts by a passed hand

next 2NT trial 3§ minimum with clubs, 3 hearts

3¨ minimum with diamonds, 3 hearts

3© minimum with 4 hearts

3ª maximum with spades, 3 hearts

3NT maximum with 3 hearts

4© maximum (9 or 10) with 4 hearts

any suit bid = long suit trial

2ª Fit-showing jump in spades, invitational in hearts.

2NT 5-5 minors, non-forcing

3§ Fit-showing jump in clubs, invitational in hearts.

3¨ Fit-showing jump in diamonds, invitational in hearts.

3© Fit-showing jump in diamonds, invitational in hearts.

3ª Preemptive

3NT To play

4§ Preemptive with hearts + clubs with at least 9 cards in the two suits.

4¨ Preemptive with hearts + diamonds with at least 9 cards in the two suits.

4© Preemptive with hearts + spades with at least 9 cards in the two suits.

After 1©-1ª

1NT 4+ spades

2§ 4+ clubs

2¨ 4+ diamonds

2© Reverser, 5+ diamonds, 4 hearts exactly.

2ª High shortage, 5+© etc.

After 1©-1ª -1NT-2§ (R)

2¨ Three-suiter with both majors (see 2.4 for continuations)

2© Reverser, 5+© and 4ª

2ª 5/5+ ©+ª

2NT High shortage, 5+ª and 4©

5. 1ª OPENING
REQUIREMENT: 10-14 HCP, 4+ ª, may have longer minor

Point ranges for some of the responses below vary with vulnerability. 8+/6+ indicates 8+ non-vulnerable and 6+ vulnerable. 0-7/0-5 indicates 0-7 non-vulnerable and 0-5 vulnerable

RESPONSES SUMMARY

Pass To play in spades or 0-7/0-5

1NT RELAY - at least invitational to game - 8-10 with 3 spades by a passed hand

2§ Natural, 5+ clubs, non-forcing, may be invitational, 8+/6+

2¨ Natural, 5+ diamonds, non-forcing, may be invitational, 8+/6+

2© Natural, 5+ hearts, non-forcing, may be invitational, 8+/6+

2ª 8 - 12 HCP, 3 or 4 spades, NOT 11-12 and 4 spades (relay first) - 8-10 with 4 spades by a passed hand

next 2NT trial 3§ minimum with clubs, 3 spades

3¨ minimum with diamonds, 3 spades

3ª maximum with hearts, 3 spades

3NT maximum with 3 spades

any suit bid = long suit trial

2NT Minors, non-forcing

3§ Fit showing jump with clubs

3¨ Fit showing jumps with diamonds

3ª Pre-emptive

3NT To play

After 1ª -1NT

2§ 4+ §

2¨ 4+ ¨

2ª High shortage, 5+ª .

After 1ª-1NT-2§ -2¨ (R)

2ª 5/5, § + ª

2NT 5+ª , 4§ , high shortage, etc.

2ª 5/5, ¨ + ª

2NT 5+ª , 4¨ , high shortage, etc.

6. 1NT OPENING
REQUIREMENT: 11-14 HCP, balanced, 4333, 4432, 5332 with a minor

RESPONSES SUMMARY

2§ Stayman with relay extensions

2¨ Transfer to hearts

2ª transfer to clubs

2NT Invitational, no 4-card major unless 4333 or 3433

3§ Transfer to diamonds

3¨ 6-card suit, invitational, at least 2/3 top honours.

3ª 6-card suit, invitational, at least 2/3 top honours.

3NT To play

4§ Preemptive in hearts

4¨ Preemptive in spades

4© To play

4ª To play

4NT Blackwood

Note: You can still use a weak Stayman. The initial 2§ bid does not promise a relay sequence will ensue – intially it is still a standard Stayman sequence. With a weak hand and 5ª 4©, you can still rebid 2ª after a 2¨ denial; HOWEVER you cannot Stayman with a weak 5©4ª as 2© over a 2¨ major denial is a RELAY.

After 1N-2§

2¨ No 4 card major.

2ª 4 spades and not 4 hearts.

After 1N-2§-2¨

2© RELAY

2ª Signoff (5 spades and 4 hearts).

2N Invitation (and 4 of a major).

3§ Signoff (5 clubs and a major).

3¨ Signoff (5 diamonds and a major).

3ª Invitation (5 spades and 4 hearts).

3N Signoff (and 4 of a major).

I think this structure is poor.

2ª 5 card minor

2N (relay) 3§ = clubs

3¨ (relay) 3§ = high shortage 2335

3ª = mid shortage 3235

3N = low shortage 3325

3¨ = diamonds, high shortage 2353

3ª = diamonds, low shortage 3352

2N 3334 or 3343

3§ (relay) 3¨ = clubs, 3334

3§ minors, high shortage, 2344

3¨ minors, low shortage, 3244

Next suit up asks for controls, 1 step = 0-2 controls, 2 steps = 3 controls etc.

2ª RELAY

2N Invitation (and 4 spades)

3§ Non forcing (5+ clubs and 4 spades).

3¨ Non forcing (5+ diamonds and 4 spades).

3ª Cue bid accepting hearts.

3N Signoff (and 4 spades).

4§/4¨ Cue bids accepting hearts.

2N 4 spades

3§ (relay) 3¨= high shortage, 4423

3§ 4 clubs

3ª= low shortage, 3424

3¨ 4 diamonds, high shortage, 2443

3N 3433

Next suit up asks for controls, 1 step = 0-2 controls, 2 steps = 3 controls etc.

After 1N-2§-2ª

2N invitational (NOT RELAY)

3§ RELAY

3¨ signoff, 5+ diamonds 4 hearts

3ª invitational

3N to play

After 1N-2§-2ª -3§ (R)

3¨ 4 clubs

3N = low shortage 4324

3ª 4 diamonds , low shortage, 4342

3N 4333

Next suit up asks for controls, 1 step = 0-2 controls, 2 steps = 3 controls etc.

6.2 Major Suit Transfer Sequences

With a 5-card or longer minor and invitational values then tend to play in notrumps.

With an invitational two-suiter including a 5-card major that is not 5422, transfer into the major, and after the accept, bid the shortage naturally with any unbalanced hand. Partner might attempt to signoff elsewhere with a 5-card minor and only 2-card support. Bid intelligently.

With a balanced, semi-balanced or single-suited invitational hand including a 5-card major (5332, 6322, 6331, 5422), transfer into the major, and bid 2NT with 5332 or 5422, or raise with 6332 or 6331

With a 6331 or 7330 hand with a semi-solid major and 15-17 HCP, transfer and splinter in the short suit. This is a slam try. With a stronger hand, cuebid if opener attempts to signoff. The primary use of the splinter is to learn about wastage – something the relay structure won’t find out until much later.

2ª , 3§ , 3¨ ª ,§ ,¨ shortage <2, game try or better

3© Wastage

2NT Invitational 5332, 5422

3ª , 4§ ,4¨ Shortage in 6331 or 7330, semi-solid major suit, 15-17 HCP or better

3NT Game values only, 5332 or 5422

2NT Invitational 5332, 5422

3ª Wastage

4ª Game values anyway – had slam interest opposite no wastage

3ª Invitational 6322, 6331

3NT Game values only, 5332 or 5422

4ª Game values only, 6322 or 6331

2¨ Non-forcing relay

Other suit bids are correctable.

After 2§ -2¨

Pass 6-9 HCP, 6+¨

2ª Maximum semi-solid 6+§ , at least 3 honours, doesn't want to declare possible 3NT

2NT Maximum semi-solid 6+§ , at least 3 honours, wants to declare possible 3NT

3§ Normal 10-14 HCP, 6+§

Pass To play

2ª To play

2NT Inquiry

3¨ Minimum, better ª

3ª Maximum, better ª

3NT Any 66

2ª 5+/5+ in majors, then usual relays

2NT Normal 10-14 HCP, 6+§

3§ Maximum semi-solid 6+§, at least 3 honours, doesn’t want to declare 3NT

3¨ Minimum, 6+¨

3ª Maximum, solid 7+§ with probable entry

3NT Maximum semi-solid 6§, at least 3 honours, want to declare 3NT

2ª Forcing relay

Other suit bids are correctable.

2ª 6-9 HCP, 5+/5+ blacks

2NT Maximum semi-solid 6+¨, at least 3 honours, wants to declare possible 3NT

3§ Maximum semi-solid 6+¨, at least 3 honours, doesn't want to declare possible 3NT

3¨ Normal 10-14 HCP, 6+¨

Pass To play

2NT Inquiry

3§ To play

3§ Minimum, better §

3¨ Minimum, better ª

3ª Maximum, better ª

3NT Any 66

After 2¨ -2ª :

2NT Normal 10-14 HCP, 6+¨

3§ 5+/5+ in the blacks

3¨ Maximum semi-solid 6+¨, at least 3 honours, doesn’t want to declare 3NT

3NT Maximum semi-solid 6¨, at least 3 honours, want to declare 3NT

9. 2© OPENING
REQUIREMENT: Acol II in ©(8-9 PT), usually < 15 HCP; or 6-9 HCP, 6+ª; or 6-9 HCP 5+/5+ §&¨

RESPONSES SUMMARY

2ª Non-forcing relay

2NT Forcing relay

Other suit bids correctable.

Pass 6-9 HCP, 6+ª

2NT 6-9 HCP, 5+/5+