Sunday, June 05, 2005 9:52 AM

Hand Evaluation - Tactics ( Club Suit Relays )

PITBULLS:

The club suit creates problems with relays as it is the relay suit. After a club opener with a major response , we still want to preserve the jump to game in the major as distributional. The flat hands with 4 card major support are shown with a two NT rebid after a club opener . After a club opener & a 2NT rebid , 3♣ is still a relay to 3♦ as these are “check back” bids also. A relay followed by a bid of 3NT is a mild slam try in partners minor ( i.e. clubs) in this instance. If we have a strong major/club hand as responder , we must force the auction to 4NT with a 4♣ bid as the relay gets in the way. After a club opener and a 1NT or 2NT response , club bids are natural bidding as opposed to relays.

Clubs also prove difficult when they are the secondary suit to a major opening. Once partner responds 1NT to a spade opener , the club “problem” is handled by the BART convention or 2♦ forcing one round. With a weak 5-5 in the blacks , my partners & I open 1♣ to circumvent some problems. After a heart opener , a forcing NT with a club rebid , we have the “idle” two spade bid to assist us with strong club hands.

What about the invitational 2NT bid by responder after a heart opener & a club rebid by opener ? Gittleman recommends reversing the relay concept with these kind of hands. In other words , a direct bid is weak & a relay to diamonds shows the strong club hands or weak 6-4’s . This is a good work around as any.

♠xx ♥AJxxx ♦x ♣AJ10xx

1♥-P-1NT-P

2♣-P-2NT-P

3♣ ends the auction.

A strong 5-5 ♠xx ♥AKxxx ♦x ♣AKxxx

is shown by 1♥-P-1NT-P

2♣-P-2NT-P

3♦-P-3♥-P

3NT . A 3♦ bid is a relay to 3♥ so 3NT completes the picture. The weak 6-4 can be shown in a similar manner as you can pass the relay. ♠x ♥AJ10xxx ♦xx ♣AJ10x

1♥-P-1NT-P

2♣-P-2NT-P

3♦-P-3♥-P P . With the strong 6-4 with hearts , you do not need the relay as 3♥ is strong anyway.

♠x ♥AKxxxx ♦xx ♣AKxx

1♥-P-1NT-P

2♣-P-2NT-P

3♥-P-4♥-P

The relay is a powerful tool in Bridge. Experts use them to fix standard bidding shortcomings. The above discussion where the club suit is involved addresses the shortcomings of the relay itself. Relays generally fit well with standard bidding & present very minor complications when clubs are involved. A relay of 3♦ to 3♥ fixes the club problem nicely when hearts are opened.