Sunday, July 31, 2005 7:31 AM
Inverted minors - Relays
Inverted minors apply only as non passed hands and not in
competition. If we have 5 of partners minor
and a game forcing hand we
suppress a 4 card major in favour of an inverted
minor bid. If limit raise values , we will respond a 4 card major. Inverted minors are fit showing bids limit raise or better .
Inverted minors also
include all balanced NT hands
of game going strength. Rather than playing a jump to 2NT or pre-empting
partner by bidding 3NT or making a shaky 2/1 in a 3 or 4 card suit , we bid an
inverted minor with balanced hands.
In addition , if the hand is NT
suitable with queens & jacks and tenaces to protect , we will bypass a 4 card major in favour of an inverted minor bid.
How do we sort this out ? A simple relay does the trick . An inverted minor becomes a relay.
A 2♦ inverted minor becomes a relay to 2♥. A 2♣ inverted minor becomes a relay to 2♦. Balanced hands are shown by bidding 2NT , as the opener is
forced to take the relay 99 % of the time. In order to keep the inverted minor
as “limit raise or better” , we work these hands into the
structure .The jump raises will remain as
pre-emptive ..
Besides handling the NT hands very well , this inverted
minor treatment has an unexpected benefit. It allows the partnership to
differentiate between an inverted minor with 4
trump as opposed to 5 or more.
The relay allows some sequences to check back for majors , stiffs and minimums.
An excellent way to handle the minors & flat hands !!
. Adding structure
to inverted minors , assist minor suit auctions where IMPS can be picked up in
bushels.
1♣-P-2♣*-P
* relay
2♦-P- 2♥ limit
raise in clubs – 3♣ ends auction.
2♠
is forcing and asking for more info.
2nt is minimum with bad clubs
3♣ minimum with good clubs
2nt is invitational to 3nt
Pass is minimum with bad clubs
3♣ is minimum with good clubs
2♠ inverted club raise GF with 5 or more clubs
2NT natural – 3 cards ( min )
3♣ waiting ( 4 or more clubs)
3♦
- asks for stiff ( step responses )
3♥/3♠
- natural
3NT - 4 clubs or more – no 4 card major , minimum
4♣ - KCB
2NT game forcing and may have a 4 card major
3♣ constructive
3♥/♠
natural
3♦
Stayman
3♣ inverted club raise GF with 4 clubs
3♦/♥/♠ are natural
3NT to play
4♣ - KCB
3♦
clubs & diamonds 5-4 or 5-5 game force
3NT 15-17 doubleton club
1♦-P-2♦*-P * relay
2♥-P-2♠
inverted diamond raise GF with 5 or more
2NT natural – 3 diamonds (min )
3♣ asks for stiff ( step responses)
3♦
waiting , 4 or more diamonds
3♥/♠
natural
3NT - 4 diamonds or more – no 4 card major , minimum
4♦ - KCB
2NT game forcing and may have 4 card major. Opener is now allowed to bid 4 card major
and major fits found that way (reverse Kokish)
3♣ Stayman
3♦
distro & minimum
3♥/♠
natural
3NT to play
3♣ Limit raise in diamonds.
3♦
by opener will end the auction.
3♥/♠ asks for a stopper in
the bid suit.
3NT to play
4♦ - KCB
3♦
Game forcing diamond raise with 4 diamonds
3♥/♠
natural
3NT to play
4♦
-
KCB
3NT 15-17 doubleton diamond
*Break relay with distro 6-5 etc or
with 18-19 bal 5-3-3-2 , 2-3-4-4 , 3-3-3-4 - bid
3NT
** Break relay with 18-19 flat with 4
card major(s) – bid 2NT
2nt
should be 18-19 with 1♣ opener 4423, 4324, 3424 or 1♦ opener 4432, 4342, 3442 hands. We need
2nt to find the 4 card major fit if possible. Over the 2nt partner should bid 3
of the minor with 6, 3nt or a 4 card major if he has 1 (or take control). Any
subsequent bid to a major is a q-bid in support of the major (or the minor if
6). If partner pulls 3nt to 4 of the minor it is KCB for the minor (he will
place the contract).
With this
solution , this leaves the one of a minor 3NT jump response to be a picture
bid. A 15-17 HCP hand with 4-3-3-3 distribution is almost impossible to
describe anyway.