Sunday, November 09, 2003 12:45 AM

Hand Evaluation - Modified Wolff Relays

PITBULLS:

Responses after a 2NT rebid can be very cumbersome especially if the 2NT bidder can have a major . Relays to the rescue . The beauty of relays are that they describe a class of hands depending on whether or not you chose to relay . For memory purposes , If you choose to bid 3♣ as a relay you are doing so for the most part to describe weak hands or weak suits. If you spurn the relay & bid naturally , you have more distribution so possible slam interest. It is very similar to two way NMF but you do not need the diamond bid as forcing to game. Instead of the relay switch being invitational vrs game forcing , the relay is game forcing ( escape also ) or slam tries. You are forced to game, of course , except if dropped after a relay. Natural bidding replaces the 2♦ part of NMF. Natural bidding always has slam interest. Checkback Stayman is done via the 3♣ relay so your major fits are found “puppet Stayman” style.

The 6 main purposes of the 3♣ relay after 2NT

1. Escape with weak hands

2. Checkback Stayman

3. Bad suit slam tries

4. 3NT can have a special meaning after a relay ( slam try in openers minor)

5. No slam interest or distribution with the majors/minors

6. Identify a 4 card raise in responders major

Over the 3♣ relay partner must bid 3♦ or support your major ( break relay ) with 4 card support . After a minor opener , we sometimes bid 2NT with 4 card major support. This allows us to show the flat hands with 4 card support instead of jumping to game or worse bidding 3 invitational. After the relay , you can pass 3♦ or if you now rebid your major partner knows the strength of your hand. You tend to bid a major with diamonds after a 1♣ opener

♠KJ10x ♥xx ♦Jxxxxx ♣x 1♣-P-1♠-P

2NT-P-3♣-P

3♦-P-P-P

Finding the spade fit after a 2NT rebid is done from the relay side . 1♦-P-1♥-P

2NT-P-3♣-P

3♦-P-3♠-P

This shows 4-4 in the majors & you are checking back for a 4-4 spade fit

With single suited hands , you have the inference that you chose to relay instead of bidding naturally . This can mean a difference in the quality of your suits. Bidding naturally & insisting on your suit can show a solid suit slam try. Making a relay first & insisting on your suit can show broken suit slam tries.

Making a relay followed by bidding 3NT begs the question why relay in the first place ? This sequence shows a slam try with partners minor . If partner is not interested in the minor slam , 3NT is the spot to play.

Do not use relays to find out if you have a 5-3 major fit. Bid the 5 card suit naturally , partner will only raise with 3 card support. This sequence does not show a 6 card suit as you would have leapt to game with a 6 card suit and game values.

You hold ♠Axxxx ♥Kxxx ♦xx ♣xx or ♠AJxxx ♥AKxxx ♦xx ♣x and partner opens a minor , you respond 1♠ & rebids 2NT . With the first hand , relay first before bidding hearts. This tells partner you are 5-4 with no slam interests. The second hand just bid naturally which immediately clues in partner that you have distribution & possibly slam interest.

Relays are an excellent bidding tool to clarify auctions . Wolff relays have now become standard with Bridge World Standard 2001.