Friday, March 09, 2007 11:27 AM

XYZ - Wolffe Relay

PITBULLS:

Experts have adopted XYZ as an excellent way of handling auctions where the bidding remains at the one level for 3 rounds. 2 way NMF is just a special case of XYZ where the last one level bid is 1NT. The beauty of the structure is that 2♣ shows all invitational hands , jumps are slam tries & 2♦ is the catch all game force. 2♣ demands a relay to 2♦ afterwards the invitational sequences commence. Having one bid ( 2♣) showing all invitational hands simplifies the bidding structure.

What is less known is the Wollfe relay is an extension of 2 way NMF but after opener makes a 2NT rebid. 3♣ by responder shows all hands that are the weaker range with no slam interest. In fact , in certain auctions you can escape from 2NT to a partial ! Since 2NT is a game force , you do not need 3♦ to signal a game force but with the 3♣ inference , all natural bids are strong so may be slam going. This understanding, signals our intentions immediately & Q bidding can commence. This brings the 2NT bidder into the picture also & allows her to use hand evaluation.

Susan Culham held this hand ♠xxx ♥KQJ109 ♦xx ♣AKx & I opened 1♣ . She replied a heart & I bid 2NT. What now ? This 5 card suit can be promoted to a 6 card suit due to suit quality but playing Wolffe relay , rebidding your 5 card major is the standard way 5 card majors are shown. Since you did not relay with 3♣ initially , you must have a decent hand. Partner bids 3NT so you now bid 4♣. You have now shown your slam intentions , as you do not pull 3NT from a position of weakness. This is the XYX ♣’s & ♦’s inferences used in a different way by the Wollfe relay . Natural bidding parallels the XYZ diamond bid understandings.

The 2NT bidder has a 5 card club suit so as you have shown your intentions, he is allowed to take control so you get to a baby slam which need a finesse for 7. Normally when one side bids NT , the other hand is captain of the auction. When you use Wolffe relay to show your intentions , you allow captaincy to switch to the other side. A useful side effect of the Wolffe relay & XYZ understandings !!