Basic symmetric relay principles
Basic symmetric relay principles
Of there are two known suits either 54xx or 5+5+xx the next free available bid is a relay to ask exact distribution.
The answers are always the same up the ladder as balanced possible, short in the lowest unbid suit, short in the highest unbid suit, void in the lowest suit, void in the highest suit. In any case a fit showing relay is given the first step is to bid a minimum, the rest are automatically maximums. You also give a min max answer to an invitational relay. Only in GF situations with no trump established (still looking for the best contract or slamgoing) you ignore the minimum relay. After showing a minimum the next free bid is still asking for the exact distribution
5 4 5+ 4 5+ 5+ 6 cards 6+ minor 5+ Specific Controls asking in suit
Still have to test this... To relieve the 6 card to a 6331 or a 6322 you have to play the 54 as a 5+4. The answers should be. But we still have te decide to play it or not
Relay after a 5+ 4 |
Step 1 | short in the lowest unbid suit |
| Step 1 | relay |
| | Step 1 | 5431 |
| | Step 2 | 6421 |
| | Step 3 | 7411 |
Step 2 | short singleton in the highest unbid suit |
| Step 1 | relay |
| | Step 1 | 5413 |
| | Step 2 | 6412 |
Step 4 | void in the highest lowest suit |
| Step 1 | relay |
| | Step 1 | 6430 |
| | Step 2 | 7420 |
| | Step 3 | 8410 |
| | Step 4 | 9400 |
Step 4 | void in the highest unbid suit |
| Step 1 | relay |
| | Step 1 | 6403 |
| | Step 2 | 7402 |
| | Step 3 | 8401 |
After a 5 5 or better there could be many distributions. I think the next schedule will work the bets, since the exact distribution is shown directly. In the second on there is an extra relay. I have not tested it often and lean to the first solution.
Relay after a 5+ 5+ |
Step 1 | 5521 singleton in the lowest unbid suit |
Step 2 | 5512 singleton in the highest unbid suit |
Step 3 | 5530 void in the lowest unbid suit |
Step 4 | 5503 void in the highest unbid suit |
Step 5 | 65 11 |
Step 6 | 6520 6610 7510 void in the lowest unbid suit |
Step 7 | 6502 6601 7501 void in the highest unbid suit |
Step 8 | 7600 8500 |
Relay after a 5+ 5+ |
Step 1 | short in the lowest unbid suit |
| Step 1 | relay |
| | Step 1 | 5521 |
| | Step 2 | 5531 |
| | Step 3 | 6520 |
| | Step 4 | 6610 |
| | Step 5 | 7510 |
Step 2 | short singleton in the highest unbid suit |
| Step 1 | relay |
| | Step 1 | 5512 |
| | Step 2 | 5513 |
| | Step 3 | 6502 |
| | Step 4 | 6601 |
| | Step 5 | 7501 |
Step 3 | 6511 |
Step 4 | 7600 8500 |
If a 4 card is still possible you have to use this relay sequence. But I seem to prefer to sell the 64 hands as a 5+4
Relay after a 6 card |
Step 1 | no 4card (6331 or 6322) |
| Step 1 | relay |
| | Step 1 | 6322 |
| | Step 2 | 6331 singleton in the lowest unbid suit |
| | Step 3 | 6313 singleton in the middlest unbid suit |
| | Step 4 | 6133 singleton in the highest unbid suit |
Step 2 | 4 card in the lowest suit |
| Step 1 | relay |
| | Step 1 | 6421 singleton in the lowest unbid suit |
| | Step 2 | 6412 singleton in the highest unbid suit |
| | Step 3 | 6430 void in the lowest unbid suit |
| | Step 4 | 6403 void in the highest unbid suit |
Step 3 | 4 card in the middlest suit |
Step 4 | 4 card in the highest suit |
If a 64 is not possible, than things get simplyfied.
Relay after exactly a 6 cards |
Step 1 | Any 6322 |
Step 2 | 6331 singleton in the lowest unbid suit |
Step 3 | 6313 singleton in the middlest unbid suit |
Step 4 | 6133 singleton in the highest unbid suit 4 |
Relay after a 56 |
Step 1 | 6511 |
Step 2 | 6520 void in the lowest unbid suit |
Step 3 | 6502 void in the highest unbid suit |
Step 4 | 7510 |
Step 5 | 7501 |
Step 6 | 7600 |
Step 7 | 8500 |
Specific Controls asking in suit
After RKC you could ask up the ladder to ask for the specific controls in a suit. The lowest step asks for clubs, the next for diamonds and so on.
Relay to ask specific controls in a suit |
Step 1 | No control |
Step 2 | Q or xx |
Step 3 | K |
Step 4 | A |
Step 5 | KQ |
Step 6 | AQ |
Step 7 | AK |
Step 8 | AKQ |
Bidding overview after weak NT
An easy overview on how to bid after a weak NT