Saturday, April 05, 2003 5:26 PM

Hand Evaluation – Tactics ( Relays In Bridge )

PITBULLS:

Bridge experts should be able to incorporate relays into their bidding system as a general fix for some standard bidding failing. Relays in general take an “idle bid” & define a meaning to relay sequences using that suit. After that, the fact that you did or did not relay makes a whole new set of bids available . Relays should always follow the Lebensohl model . Direct natural bidding should be stronger so the relays show the weaker or invitational hands. The following relays are recommended for established partnerships:

XYZ 3 bids all at the one level. 2♣ is a relay to 2♦ so invitational sequences follow that . Prevents stupid up the line bidding to find 4-4 major fits & allows a NT rebid to show all balanced hands. Allows natural jumps to be strong. Prevents 4^th suit forcing at the one level , since the auction remaining at the one level for 3 rounds triggers the bid.

Lebensohl This treatment specifically uses the NT bid to relay to clubs to differentiate forcing from competitive/weak . Used over 1NT interference , weak 2’s , reverses , opponents 4 level major bids & pulling high level penalty doubles . Always shows weakness , so a direct action would be stronger with different meanings.

2 Clubs Relays are used to describe hard to bid two suited hands . 2♣ - 2♦ folowed by 2♥ is a relay to spades . A new suit bid shows the two suiter with hearts as the anchor suit. 2NT is now idle as the normal NT auctions would circumvent the relay . Therefore 2NT can show stronger balanced hands ( Kokish ). A 2♠ bid is a relay to 2NT so you show two suiters with spades as the anchor suit.

Sandwich Position When the opponents bid in the sandwich position at the two level , 2NT is the “good-bad 2NT” to show all competitive hands . This brings back the concept of “free bids” to show extra ( invitational ) . The 2NT bid demands a relay to 3♣ so a bid is now competitive .

2NT Openers Getting to minor slams are difficult . 3♠ to relay to 3NT , the bids after that can show all types of minor slam sequences. 3♠ is “idle” anyway .

2NT rebid 3♣ is a Wolff relay to 3♦ . This allows a partnership to escape out of 2NT , check back for a major , show weaker major suit hands , show weaker suits , and use an idle 3NT bid as a slam try. Failure to use 3♣ ( natural bidding ) is a “slam try” switch.

Forcing NT (1) If the forcing NT bidder invites with 2NT , use idle bids as a relay . This differentiates weak 5-5 , 5-4-3-1 & 6-4 ‘s from weak distributional ones. The bid is “idle” anyway so it should signal a relay for memory purposes. This idea attributable to Fred Gittleman . The relay shows the weaker 5-5 or 6-4 hands .

Forcing NT (2) Opener invites with 2NT after a forcing NT . Still another place where a relay is useful. A direct preference shows the limit raise. Relay followed by a suit bid is a bail out . A direct bid after 2NT shows values so slam exploration can take place. A relay is the great escape.

Puppet Stayman Reverses the Stayman asking process via a relay . When no 5 card major but 4 card majors , opener relays to 3♦ . This now asks responder to show their majors via a transfer.

Rubensohl System of transfers rather than a relay. If you transfer into their suit it is Stayman . A direct 3NT shows a stopper In their suits.

3♣ SJS - The 3♣ strong jump shift is the forcing club part of a natural system & demands a relay to 3♦. The true nature of the strong jump shift is described after that. The concept of “breaking the relay” now comes into play with strong or distributional hands by responder. Breaking the relay shows slam intentions immediately by responder.

Heart Transfers – 1NT opening & 2♠ after a heart transfer is a relay to 2NT & shows all invitational hands by responder.

Jacoby transfers , Texas transfers , “super acceptances” , game tries , asking bids , Bergen , serious 3NT are not relays per se . These bids convey information to partner where relays are just “puppet” bids to initiate a new sequence of meanings. Relays are a tool to throw a switch so new meanings for bids emerge. Failure to relay & breaking the relay are two very important inferences.

These tools are essential for partnerships to well - make them established partnerships !!