Structure 7G73 Main

Relay Major-Suit Game Try

by Richard Pavlicek

In a Nutshell

A serious problem with long-suit or help-suit game tries is that information is revealed about the closed hand, which often aids the defense. Much better is for the declaring hand to make nondescript relay bids, and for the dummy to describe. The premise is that dummy will be seen anyway, so its revelation offers no help after the opening lead. Defense is far more difficult when the shape of the concealed hand is unknown.

A further advantage is that failure to relay, i.e., bidding a new suit at the three level, becomes a natural slam-try.

In Detail

Whenever we raise a major from 1 to 2, whether an opening bid, a 1-level response or a 1-level rebid, game tries are launched by the cheapest bid (2 or 2 NT) to ask about dummy’s hand. Purpose is to allow effective game tries without revealing information about the closed hand. Other suit bids become slam tries.

1
? Pass 2 Pass

2
2 NT
3 3 3 *
3
3 NT
4 4
4

•

AF, asking
balanced, I
4+ cards, ST
blocking
choice of games
splinter, ST
sign-off

*only way to show spades, so 3 is not a splinter.

1
? Pass 2 Pass

2 NT
3 3 3
Other

AF, asking
4+ cards, ST
analogous to above

After the artificial ask, if dummy has a suit with secondary values (3+ cards with king or queen, or both) he should show it regardless of strength; otherwise he defines his strength.

1
2 Pass
Pass 2
? Pass

2 NT
3 3
3
3
4 •

•
spade values
values in suit bid
minimum
maximum, flat (4-3-3-3), suggests 3 NT
maximum

1
2 NT Pass
Pass 2
? Pass

3 3 3
3
3 NT
4

values in suit bid
minimum
maximum, flat (4-3-3-3), NF
maximum

When dummy shows secondary values, asker may base his decision on that or inquire further.

1
2
? Pass
Pass 2
3 Pass
Pass

3
3
3 NT
4

relay, asks if min or max
turned off by club values
choice of games
sign-off

1
2 NT
? Pass
Pass 2
3 Pass
Pass

3 *
Other
asks to pass with min
analogous to above

*With no relay available this does not imply dislike of heart values.

Subsequent bidding

If dummy is asked if min or max, he simply bids (or passes) 3 of the major with a minimum.

If asker bids a suit between 3 and 4 of the raised major, it is a slam try with a 1-suited hand.

After interference

If an opponent bids after our raise from 1 to 2, the relay structure is off; game tries are then made in the traditional manner by bidding a different suit. Note that early interference (before our raise to 2) and doubles of any kind change nothing.

Structure 7G73 Main Top Relay Major-Suit Game Try