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\begin{document}



\title{Symmetric Relay Bridge System}

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\maketitle




\section{Openings}



$1 \cs$: 16+ points any or distributional equivalent. \\ 

$1 \ds$: 10 - 15 points; either 5-4 primary minor, or 4-4-4-1
distribution in any suit, or  
5-5 in the minors. \\  

$1 \hs / 1 \sps$: 10 - 15 points; 5-card suit. \\

$1$ NT : 12 - 15 points; balanced hand. \\

$2 \cs / 2 \ds$: 10 - 15 points; six-card suit. \\

$2 \hs / 2 \sps$: 0 - 9 points; $5^+$-card suit. \\

$2$ NT : 0 - 10 points; 5-5 in the minors. \\

$3^+$ of a suit: natural and pretty weak. \\

$3$ NT: a good 4-major opener \\


\section{Some responses}

The responces are pretty natural except for $1 \cs$ responces and the 
following ones: \\

{\bf Responses to $1 \ds$:} \\

They are pretty natural except for:

$1 \ds - 1 \hs - 2 \ds$: good support in hearts;

$1 \ds - 1 \hs - 2 \hs$: minimal support in hearts;

$1 \ds - 1 \sps - 2 \hs$: good support in spades;

$1 \ds - 1 \sps - 2 \sps$: minimal support in spades;

$1 \ds - 1 \hs / 1 \sps - 1$ NT : three-card support in hearts/spades;

$1 \ds - 1 \hs - 2 \cs$: 5-4 or 5-5 in the minors;

$1 \ds - 1 \sps - 2 \cs: \cs \& \ds$ or $\cs \& \hs$;

$1 \ds - 1 \sps - 2 \ds: \ds \& \hs$. \\


{\bf Responses to $1$ NT :} \\

Again standard except for:

$1$ NT $- 2 \sps$: which is either invitational or strong;

$1$ NT $- 2$ NT: transfer to clubs;

$1$ NT $- 3 \cs$ : transfer to diamonds. \\

{\bf Responses to $2 \cs$ :} \\

Raises are weak.

$2 \cs - 2 \ds$ : balanced hand; invitational+.

$2 \cs - 2 \hs / 2 \sps$ : five-card suit; invitational+.

$2 \cs - 2$ NT : a good invitational raise. \\

{\bf Responses to $2 \ds$ :} \\

Raises are weak.

$2 \ds - 2 \hs / 2 \sps$ : five-card suit; invitational+.

$2 \ds - 2$ NT : balanced; the opener bids $3 \cs$ if he has maximum
hand, $3 \ds$ for minimal. 

$2 \ds - 3 \cs$ : a good invitational raise. 


\section{Strong club relays}

$1 \cs - 1 \ds$: less than 8 points. 

The responses from the opener are either natural (jumps show at least 20 
points) or artificial :

- $1 \hs$ : $20^+$ any except for $20 - 23$ with $\ds$;

- $1 \sps$ : $\sps \&$ Another / $\cs$;

- $1$ NT: $16 - 19$ Semi-balanced;

- $2 \cs$ : $16 - 23, \ds$;

- $2 \ds$ : $16 - 19, \hs$;

- $2 \hs$ : $5^+ \hs, 4 \sps$;

- $2 \sps$ : $16 - 19, \sps$; \\

After $1 \cs - 1 \ds - (1 \hs / 1 \sps) - 1$ NT, this goes straight into 
relays as after $1 \cs$. After the invite opener rebids $3 \hs$ with 
minimum when responder can correct to $3 \sps /$ pass. With maximum 
bid naturally. \\

This structure is on if opener has the opportunity to Double / bid a 
$1 \hs$ opening else natural bidding with T/O doubles. \\

From here on the responder has at least 8 points. \\

$1 \cs - 1 \hs$: 4+ spades, unbalanced.

- Relay of $1 \sps$ -

- $1$ NT: either a single suited hand in $\sps$ or a two suited hand
in $\sps \& \cs$. It is followed by a relay of $2 \cs$ and the answer
is: $2 \ds : \sps$ or $2 \hs : \sps \& \cs$.

- $2 \cs$: $\sps \& \ds$ - two suited hand.

- $2 \ds$: three suited hand including spades. For further description
see the end of the section.

- $2 \hs + : \sps \& \hs$ - two suited hand. \\


$1 \cs - 1 \sps$ : either balanced (no 5 card suit or shortage), or
$\cs \& \ds$ or $\cs$. 

- Relay of $1$ NT -

- $2 \cs: \cs \& \ds$

- $2 \ds: \cs$

- $2 \hs +$: balanced. 

More precisely:

- $2 \hs: 4 \sps - 2 \sps$ (R) - $2$ NT : $44 \hs \& \sps$,
$3 \cs: 4 \cs, 3 \ds: 3433, 
3 \hs : 2443, 3 \sps / NT: 3442$

- $2 \sps: 4 \hs, < 4 \sps$ - 2 NT (R) - $3 \cs: 4 \cs, 3 \ds: 3433, 
3 \hs : 2443, 3 \sps / NT: 3442$

- $2$ NT: $44 \cs \& \ds - 3 \cs (R) - 3 \ds: 2344, 3 \hs: 3244$

- $3 \cs: 3334$

- $3 \ds: 3343$ \\

$1 \cs - 1$ NT: $\hs / \hs \& \cs$

- Relay of $2 \cs$ -

- $2 \ds$: $\hs$ one suited hand.

- $2 \hs: \hs \& \cs$ two suited hand. \\

$1 \cs - 2 \cs : \hs \& \ds$ \\

$1 \cs - 2 \ds : \ds$ \\

$1 \cs - 2 \hs$ : 3 suiter, short spades. 

- Relay of $2 \sps $ -

- $2$ NT: $0445$

- $3 \cs: 0454$

- $3 \ds: 0544$

- $3 \hs: 1444$ \\


More about the sequence: $1 \cs - 1 \hs - 1 \sps (R) - 2 \ds - 2 \hs (R)$: 

- $2 \sps$: high shortage (in hearts) / 4144

- $2$ NT : middle shortage (in diamonds)

- $3 \cs: 4414/ 4441$

- $3 \ds: 4450$

- $3 \hs: 4540$

- $3 \sps / NT: 5440$ \\



\section{The Schemes}

\subsection{One Suiters}

After you've reached $2 \ds - 2 \hs (R)$: \\

$- 2 \sps - 2 NT (R) - 3 \cs = 6322 / 7222$ (numeric split), 
$3 \ds^+ =$ high shortage (as below) \\

$- 2 NT - 3 \cs (R) - 3 \ds +$ as below with middle shortage \\

$- 3 \cs: 6232 / 6223 - R -$ numeric split. \\

Low shortage goes direct \\

$- 3 \ds: 5332$ \\

$- 3 \hs: 6331$ \\

$- 3 \sps / NT: 7(xx)1$ \\

$- 4 \cs: 7330$ \\


\subsection{Two Suiters}

The scheme here is to first show your suits, then which is longer (or 
$5^+, 5^+$) then pattern out much as for one suiters. \\

Having shown your suits and reached $2 \cs - 2 \ds (R)$: \\

$- 2 \hs$: lower suit is longer (not $55^+$) $- 2 \sps (R) -$ then as below \\

$- 2 \sps : 55^+$ \\

From here on if bid directly, the higher suit is longer. \\

$- 2$ NT: high shortage \\

$- 3 \cs$: balanced $(5422 / 7411)$ - R - numeric \\

$- 3 \ds: 5431$ \\

$- 3 \hs: 6421$ \\

$- 3 \sps / NT: 6430$ \\

$- 4 \cs: 7420$ (numeric order) \\

After $2 \sps - R -$

$- 3 \cs:$ high shortage

$- 3 \ds: 5611 / 6511 / 66(01)$

$- 3 \hs: 5521$

$- 3 \sps / NT: 5530$

$- 4 \cs: 5620$

$- 4 \ds: 6520$ \\


\subsection{Relay Termination}

The $3 \sps / NT$ things always happens in strong club openings. \\

{\bf $3 \sps$ / NT} \\

This is triggered (A) by the relays stopping at $3 \sps$, or (B) a bid of 
$3 \hs$ if the relays have stopped lower. 

With $8-11 / 15^+$ points you bid $3 \sps$, with $12-14$ you bid $3$ NT. 
After either of these bids $4 \ds$ is the Puppet Terminator (see below), 
$4 \cs / \hs / \sps / NT$ are RKB in partners longest/next longest/etc. suit 
(ties broken in order $\cs / \ds / \hs / \sps$), see below for continuations.
$3 NT$ over $3 \sps$ is to play.

With $15^+$ you bid $4 \cs^+$ over a $3NT$ sign off/ $4 \sps^+$ over a 
$4 \ds$ puppet showing $5-, 6, 7 \dots$ controls after which new suits are RKB 
in length order again, with $5NT$ as an attempt to sign off in a small slam 
(puppets $6 \cs$). \\

{\bf The $3 \sps$ puppet} \\

The major alternative to the scheme above is to go straight into RKB / sign 
off / make a quantative slam try. This isn't always available (relays reach 
$3 \sps / NT$) but normally is. \\

At this point $3 \sps$ puppets $3 NT$ after which : \\

$4 \cs$ is RKB for partner's ``third'' longest suit, \\

$4 \ds$ is the puppet terminator (which triggers $4 \hs$ bid), \\

$4 \hs / 4 \sps / 4 NT / 5 \cs / 5 \ds$ are mild slam tries to be accepted by 
a decent $12 - 14$ point hands. These set trumps and after $4 \hs - NT$ 
keycards (controls $4-, 5, \dots$) are shown when acccepting. After acceptance 
it is possible to play in a lower ranked suit slam (to facilitate $4-4$ minor 
suit slams where you otherwise wish to play $4$ of a major).

At the same time $3 NT / 4 \cs / 4 \ds$ direct are RKB for partner's 
longest / second longest / shortest suits. If $3 \hs$ is available then it is 
used for range as specified above. If $3 \ds$ is available it acts as RKB 
for the longest suit with $4 \cs$ via $3 \sps$ keeping its place as RKB for 
the third longest suit and $4 \cs$ direct being RKB for the shortest suit. 

{\bf N.B.} $3 \ds$ here will nearly always be range RKB. Plenty of space to 
sort it all out though :) 

If you aren't giving range and stop early then $3 \sps$ puppet is still on 
but all other are RKB in normal length order including $3 \hs.$ \\

{\bf Slightly more relay stuff} \\

After a $3 \sps$ bid showing $9 - 11 / 15^+$ when opener jumps straight into 
RKB and you have $15^+$ then with $2$ keycards you jump straight to step $5^+$ 
spiral scanning.

With more you're fine of course but with $0$ or $1$ it is not quite sure 
($0 / 1$ is rather unlikely, esp. if opener is after keycards).

Also after a bid to show $15^+$ controls then if responder can bid $4 \sps$ 
then that puppets $4$ NT for sign offs. If the biddings reached $4 \sps$ then
use $4$ NT as a last sign off attempt. If responder has bid $4$ NT
then there's so many controls signing off would be silly. All others
are RKB in length order.  

If the shape showing has reached $4 \ds$ then you can only play in game in one
of responder's $2$ suits. Other bids are RKB in length order.  \\

{\bf Really early relay breaks} \\

A bid which isn't the relay bid early one is a relay break. This is
mainly done if you have a void and know the trump suit. As long as the
break is $3 \ds^+$ it is handled as above. Step 1 and above agree partners
last shown suit and show voids(in order $\cs / \ds  / \hs  / \sps$
). These dump you into cue bidding with serious $3$ NT in
majors. (Clearly only ever $3$ voids to show :))  \\

{\bf RKB and continuations} \\

When the hand being relayed out has shown range via the $3 \sps /NT$
system then the system uses standard responses to RKB step $1 = 0/3$, step
$2 = 1/4$, step $3 = 2$ no Q,step $4 = 2 \& $ Q. 

When the hand being relayed out has not yet shown range (when relays
stop in $3 \hs$ (Or below)/when you've lost a level. This ``doesn't'' apply
when you haven't got much range to show. Mostly with the balanced hands
with $3 / 4 \sps$ .) then the reponses are: 

Step 1: Any minimum. Then the lowest step which isn't game in the set
trump suit is RKB again when you give normal responses. Bidding game
in the trump suit after that is a sign off. Other bids indicate that
the relayer is AWOL :) (Actually other bids should be NNF. Small
chance of RKB for a minor then wish to play 4Maj/NT). 

Step 2: Maximum hand($13^+ - 15$ or $14^+$ after $1 \cs$ response) $0
/ 3 $ keycards. 

Step 3: Maximum $1 / 4$ keycards. 

Step 4: Maximum $2$ key cards no Q. 

Step 5: Maximum $2$ key cards $\&$ trump Q. 

After using RKB in a suit it is only possible to stop in $3 NT / 4 / 5
/ 6$ of that suit / $7$ of anything/ $6$ of a higher suit/$6$
NT. Other bids are part of the spirals.  \\

The spirals work by ordering the cards you want to ask for in this
order: Trump Q, Controls in side suits in length order (A or K), Trump
J, Q's in side suits in length order, then the T of trumps,J's in
side suits (if there is enough room for the last ones). 

If the trump Q has been shown then obviously that's ommited. Also you
don't show controls/Q's in singleton/void suits. The spiral normally
works by counting down the sequence until you find a card you don't
hold and then stopping. If opener skips $n$ steps then responder ignores
the first $n$ cards on the list. 

These spirals are also used after natural auctions except you order
any unknown suits in the order $\cs / \ds / \hs / \sps $ .  \\

\section{Interference}

This isn't normally damaging or indeed very frequent (you've already
got the opening past one person and you've set up your GF so you
aren't hopefully in much trouble). One thing it is a complete memory
strain. Just working out which steps you've lost. 

The idea here is to when possible just ignore it. Following deals with
interference in front of the person driving the relays. 

After a double (i.e., $1 \cs - P - 2 \cs - P - 2 \ds - x$) then if you
don't want to try passing or redoubling just bid the relay
step. Subsequently ignore the double after this. Passing suggests to
partner playing the contract redoubled if he's got ``good'' length in
context. Redouble strongly suggests trying to play the contract
redoubled. After either of these then responder can just go back into
normal relays if the length is missing :) 

After step $1$ interference then Double = Relay step, Pass suggests
clobbering it to partner :) Then double = penalty , bids as for normal
relays (W'out wish to try for penalties). 

After step 2 interference then Pass = Relay step then responder can double to
show step 1 / bid higher. (i.e.,  $1 \cs - P - 1 \hs - 1 NT - P -
P - x$ is the same hand as $1 \cs - 1 \hs - 1 \sps - 1NT$
shows). Double here by responder is a strong suggestion that you try
defending. Responder should pull if highly unsuitable showing his hand as
naturally as possible.   

Over step 3 then as over step 2 but you've lost 1 step. This is okay as
you can often just drop range showing. Or jam the 2 terminal hand
types together(They are normally very similair). 

Over higher bids there are no more relays :( Pass is forcing and
maybe suggests defending, dble strongly suggest doing that, jumps are
splinters; new suits (inc support) are natural. 

After interference in front of the person answering relays then
bassically you play Pass = step 1, double = step 2 (After pass then
relayer doubles again to relay). But we don't bother trying to ``gain''
steps. 

Over higher bids the bidding is natural. 

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