ARTIFICIAL TWO-OVER-ONE RESPONSES TO 1M ======================================= In what follows, "M" denotes the major suit opened, and "OM" is the other major. Basic structure of responses: 1M:2C = clubs or diamonds or balanced, nearly GF (we can only stop in 3C). If unbalanced, will not have 3+ M or 5+ OM. 1H:2D or 1S:2H = 3-card support for M, invitational or GF. 1S:2D = 5+ H. Usually 10+ points; maybe slightly less with long hearts or tolerance for spades. This goes together with a semi-forcing 1NT response (we have to bid 1NT on all invitational balanced hands which do not have 3-card support for M or 5 cards in OM). Or, alternatively, Kaplan Inversion over 1H. PART 1: RELAY SEQUENCES AFTER 2C ================================ 1.1. THE BASIC SCHEME --------------------- Opener's hands are initially divided into two ranges of strength, which we refer to as MIN and MAX. For a standard opening bid, MIN is about 11-14HCP and MAX is 14+ HCP. More precise agreements may be better if you want to put a lot of work into the relay slam-bidding sequences. The basic scheme comes in three parts, of which the first is the set of responses to 2C: 2D = catchall: (i) any MIN with at most 3 cards in OM. (ii) MAX, 5-3-3-2 or 5-4m-2-2 2H = 4+ OM, any strength. Not 6-4 or 7-4 in the majors if MAX. 2S = MAX, 6+ M, no other 5+ suit. 2N = MAX, 5+ diamonds 3C = MAX, 5+ clubs 3D = MAX, short in OM, precisely 5 cards in M. 3H = MAX, (53)14 precisely 3S = MAX, (53)41 precisely The second part of the basic sheme is what happens after the 2D catchall, if responder bids 2H which is the next relay. Again, opener's replies are artificial here: 2S = MIN, any 5-3-3-2 or 5-4m-2-2 or 5-4m-3-1 shape, or 5+ diamonds. 2N = MIN, 6+ M, no other 5+ suit. Not 7-4-1-1 or 7-2-2-2 shape. 3C = MAX, 5-3-3-2 or 5-4m-2-2 3D = MIN, 5+ clubs. 3H = MIN, (50)44 precisely. 3S = MIN, (72)22 precisely. 4C = MIN, (71)14 precisely. 4D = MIN, (71)41 precisely. Here 2S is a second catchall, after which responder may bid 2N as another relay. There then follows the third part of the basic scheme: 3C = MIN, 5-3-3-2 or 5-4m-2-2 3D = MIN, 5+ diamonds 3H = MIN, (51)34 or (51)43 3S = MIN, (53)14 precisely. 3N = MIN, (53)41 precisely. 1.2. RELAY SCHEME FOR 6+ CARDS IN MAJOR --------------------------------------- The 2S response shows a maximum with a six-card or longer suit. 2N is the next relay, and the responses are: 3C = 4 cards in OM, or any 7-4-1-1 or 7-2-2-2 shape 3D = relay 3H = 7-4m-1-1 or 7-2-2-2 3S = relay 3N = (72)22 4C = (71)14 4D = (71)41 3S = 4 OM, short in D (now 3N relays with replies as for club shortage below) 3N = (74)11 4C = (64)21 4D = (64)30 4H = (74)20 3D = singleton or void in OM 3H = relay 3S = 4 clubs 3N = relay 4C = (61)24 4D = (60)34 4H = (70)24 3N+ = denies 4 clubs. Same as for immediate 3N+, eg. 3N = 6M, singleton OM 3H = singleton or void in diamonds (now 3S is a further relay, replies as for club shortage below) 3S = any 6-3-2-2 shape 3N = 6M, singleton in clubs 4C = 7M, singleton in clubs 4D = 6M, void in clubs 4H = 7M, void in clubs Note that we can only stop in 3N if opener has a 6-3-2-2 or 7-2-2-2. When opener has shortage the bidding is forced to at least 4H. Similarly, we have 1M:2C,2D:2H,2NT which shows a minimum with 6+ M. After this 3C is again a relay. Opener's sequence here denies 4 OM or a 7-4-1-1 or 7-2-2-2 hand, so we do not need the "3C" step in the scheme above. Thus 3D has the same meaning as it does for the maximum hands. 1.3. RELAY SCHEME FOR 5-5 TWO-SUITERS ------------------------------------- "Long" two-suiters are shown in the following way: MIN 5-5 with clubs - 1M:2C,2D:2H,3D MIN 5-5 with diamonds - 1M:2C,2D:2H,2S:2N,3D MIN 5-5 with OM - 1M:2C,2H:2N,3D MAX 5-5 with clubs - 1M:2C,3C MAX 5-5 with diamonds - 1M:2C,2N MAX 5-5 with OM - see next section Not all of these end with the same bid, however the relay is always 3H. (Where lower bids exist they are relay breaks to be described later.) The responses to the 3H relay are as follows: 3S = short in higher of the remaining suits (now 3N is a relay with responses as below) 3N = 6-5-1-1 shape 4C = 5-5-2-1, short in lower of the remaining suits 4D = 5-5-3-0, short in lower of the remaining suits 4H = 6-5-2-0, short in lower of the remaining suits 1.4. RELAYS AFTER 1M:2C,2H -------------------------- 2N is the relay here, with responses as follows: 3C = MIN, only 4 cards in OM 3D = relay 3H = shortage in diamonds (now 3S is a relay with responses as below) 3S = (54)22 or (74)11 3N = (54)31 / (54)40 4C = (64)21 4D = (64)30 4H = (74)20 3D = MIN, 5+ OM 3H = MAX, shortage in diamonds (now 3S is a relay with responses as below) 3S = MAX, (54)22 or (65)11 3N = MAX, (54)31 / (54)40 4C = MAX, (55)21 4D = MAX, (55)30 4H = MAX, (65)20 1.5. OTHER RELAYS ----------------- We're left with the following situations: 1M:2C,2D:3C and 1M:2C,2D:2H,2S:2N,3C show hands with no shortage (MAX and MIN respectively). They are resolved after a 3D relay as follows: 3H = any 5-3-3-2 (now 3S asks for the doubleton if necessary: 3N = doubleton OM, 4C = doubleton diamond, 4D = doubleton club) 3S = (52)24 3N = (52)42 The 3D response to 2C shows shortage in OM. Relayer can ask for more information with 3H: 3S = (51)34 3N = (51)43 4C = (50)44 1M:2C,2D:2H,2S:2N,3H shows a minimum with shortage in OM. Now 3S is a relay: 3N = (51)34 4C = (51)43 Of course, these last two relays are only likely to be used if relayer has interest in playing in one of the minor suits. 1.6. SLAM BIDDING IN RELAY AUCTIONS ----------------------------------- There are some relay systems where it is possible for the relayer to find out about the exact location of partner's high cards. This makes for excellent slam bidding. However we do not really have enough space available for this approach to work. Instead opener is asked about his general high-card strength; this is usually enough for relayer to know what to do, because he has a balanced hand and so most of opener's high cards should be "working". Any bid of game by the relayer is to play, except in the following situations: (i) 3N is sometimes a relay (this happens only when opener has shown a 6-card suit). (ii) We cannot play in a suit where opener has not shown 3+ cards. Other bids above 3N are used as slam tries, setting a particular suit as trumps. The following bids can all be used in this way: - 4C - 4D - 4OM, if opener has not promised 3+ cards in that suit. - 4N, if opener has shown 6+ cards in his mmajor. - 5C or 5D, if opener has not promised 3+ ccards in that suit. The cheapest of these bids avaiable sets opener's major as trumps. The next cheapest sets opener's second suit as trumps. (If opener's second suit is the same length as his third suit, then the lowest-ranking suit comes first.) Opener's replies depend on how high the asking bid is. If it is two or four steps below the trump suit, then opener replies as follows: Step 1 = minimum (for the bidding so far) Step 2 = better than minimum Step 3 = much better than minimum, 1 or 4 key-cards Step 4 = much better than minimum, 0 or 3 key-cards Step 5 = much better than minimum, 2 key-cards, not the trump queen Step 6 = much better than minimum, 2 key-cards and the trump queen etc. After Step 1 or 2, responder may bid the next step (not including the trump suit) to ask for key cards. The key-card ask can be followed by further asking bids if desired. In cases where the trump suit is step 1 or step 3, it makes sense to divide strength into only two ranges, ie. Step 1 = minimum (for the bidding so far) Step 2 = better than minimum, 1 or 4 key-cards Step 3 = better than minimum, 0 or 3 key-cards Step 4 = better than minimum, 2 key-cards, not the trump queen Step 5 = better than minimum, 2 key-cards and the trump queen etc. Note that after setting a suit as trumps you can still play in slam in any denomination. The only slam try which does not involve setting a suit as trumps is a quantitative 4N. 4N is quantitative unless opener has shown a 6-card suit (in which case it sets a suit as trumps as described above). PART 2: RELAY BREAKS ==================== 2.1. WHEN TO RELAY ------------------ We nearly always relay with a balanced hand. Indeed, the system does not provide any alternative way of bidding when we have 4-4-3-2 or 4-3-3-3 shape. With a semi-balanced hand, or a 5-3-3-2 hand with a good 5-card minor, we often have a choice between either relaying or breaking the chain. It is normal to relay on such hands unless we have a weak holding in one of the side-suits and are therefore not comfortable bidding no-trumps. It is rarely right to use the relays when holding an unbalanced hand. There is nearly always a relay break available which describes the hand, after which we revert to natural bidding. A relay would normally be chosen only if opener has made a very high response to 2C, or if the relayer's hand is very strong. Relay breaks are mostly natural, with two important exceptions: (i) If a 2S bid is available then it shows clubs. (ii) Bids of opener's major are not natural (we have denied an unbalanced hand with support). 2.1. BREAKS OVER 1M:2C,2D ------------------------- 2H is the relay, however it also includes unbalanced hands with diamonds. 2H = balanced/semi-balanced OR unbalanced with primary diamonds 2S = unbalanced with primary clubs (GF) 2N = unbalanced, three-suited with shortage in opener's major. 3C = clubs, invitational. If you bid 2H on an unbalanced hand with diamonds, the intention is to break the chain on the next round. For example, over 1M:2C,2D:2H,2N - 3C = relay 3D = single-suited diamonds 3OM = diamonds and OM 3M = both minors 3N = diamonds, short in partner's major, no worries about other suits 2.2. BREAKS OVER 1M:2C,2H ------------------------- The relay here is 2N, and this promises a balanced or semi-balanced hands. All unbalanced hands should break the chain: 2S = clubs, inv+ (can still stop in 3C) 2N = relay 3C = both minors 3D = single-suited with diamonds 3OM = diamonds and OM 3M = splinter raise of OM (short in opener's first major) 3N = natural, implies 5+ diamonds (balanced hands should relay at least one more time). 4C = solid clubs 4D = solid diamonds 2.3. BREAKS OVER HIGHER BIDS ---------------------------- After 2S (showing a MAX with 6+ M): 2N = relay 3C = clubs 3D = diamonds 3OM = diamonds and OM 3M = both minors 3N = contract suggestion, usually a singleton in partner's major. Promises 4 in OM. 4C = solid clubs 4D = solid diamonds After 2N (showing a MAX with 5+ diamonds): 3C = clubs 3D = diamond support 3H = relay 3S = asking about OM (bid 3N if you have a stop) 3N = strong suggestion of a place to play Similar idea over 3C (showing a MAX with 5+ clubs), except that you have to go to 4C to support clubs. PART 3: 1H:2D AND 1S:2H SHOWING SUPPORT ======================================= Opener rebids as follows: step 1 (2M) = minimum hand. Usually balanced, or else very weak. step 2 (2M + 1) = forcing to game other bids below 3M = short suit game try. Note 1H:2D,2N = short suit try in spades. 3M = slam try with excellent trumps bids above 3M = slam try with an excellent side-suit (1S:2H,3N = hearts; 1H:2D,3N = diamonds) When opener bids 2M (minimum), responder may pass, or alternatively invite game/slam using the same system as over 1M:2M. When opener bids 2M+1 (GF), responder bids next step with a minimum hand for the raise. Other bids below 3M are natural and show extras (ie. a hand which was initially a sound game force). 1H:2D,2S:3H shows 5+ spades; 1S:2H,2N:3S shows 5+ clubs. Bids above 3M are splinters with mild slam interest (better than step 1, but not by much). PART 4: 1S:2D SHOWING HEARTS ============================ This is a "light" 2/1, treated rather like the Acol sequence 1S:2H, except that the extra step that we have makes life significantly easier when opener is minimum. Note that this 2D bid denies a game-forcing hand with 3-card spade support (we would respond 2H with that type, intending to show the heart suit on the next round). Opener's rebids: 2H = minimum, prepared to play in 2H if partner has a minimum with long hearts. 2S = minimum, good spades (nearly always 6+ cards), weak in hearts. 2N = forcing to game with 6+ spades. 3m = natural, forcing to game. 3H = natural, invitational. 3S = artificial game-forcing heart raise. 3N = natural. 4m = splinter raise of hearts. After opener's 2H: 2S = 9-11 or so, typically with a doubleton in spades. 2N = invitational, usually short in spades. 3m = natural, forcing to game. 3H = natural, invitaional. 3S = artificial game force showing 6+ hearts. 3N = natural. Similarly after opener's 2S: 2N = invitaional. 3m = natural, forcing to game. 3H = natural, invitational. 3S = natural, invitational. 3N = natural. (Here we do not have an artificial bid available to show a game force with long hearts, so with this type of hand we must either go straight to game or invent a minor suit.)