Jordan's Symmetric Positive Relay
Jordan's Symmetric Positive Relays
Opener's 1♣ shows a strong hand. With 8+ HCP and 2+ CP, Responder makes
a game forcing relay bid. Otherwise, Responder bids 1♦. If Responder
is a passed hand, then the game force is reduced to 7+ HCP and 1+ CP.
Without a game force, Responder bids 1♦ negative and further bidding
is described elsewhere.
Generally speaking, the relays clarify Responder's hand in order:
- Long Suits / General Shape
- Short Suits / Exact Shape
- Hand Strength
- Control Points
- Exact Honor Cards
We always show high shortness first and low shortness later. We also
show more probable shapes at a lower level, where possible, except if the
2nd rarest is actually more common than the rarest, we'll swap those two
since zoom saves a step.
We cover all shapes with up to 7 cards in one suit or 11 cards in two suits
(except 7321/7420 we cannot distinguish the second and third suits). Note
we consider 7420 a one suited hand (shape 7xx0).
If Responder should
be so unfortunate as to get a shape outside the box, Responder should pick
the least damaging lie.
Zoom
We make heavy use of the zoom principle. At any given point in the
structure, there are small number of responses to the last "question".
If we happen to hit the last response on the list, instead of making
that response, we go right on to the next question. This can cascade,
so a single bid could answer several questions at once.
As an example,
an immediate response of 3♥ to 1♣ shows minors (zoom to 2♥),
higher length (zoom to 2NT), lower shortness (zoom to 3♦) 6421 shape.
That is, exactly 2=1=6=4 shape.
We indicate zooms below using ">>"
Some Principles
- Shape showing relays always end with higher probability hands
first, except that if the 2nd last shape is more common than the
last shape, we switch the last two.
- 5NT is the last relay bid.
- If Opener jumps to a final contract, that is to play, showing a
minimum. Responder may bid again with 14+ (see
Hand Strength below).
- We use lower bids to show higher (S-H-D-C order) shortness
Initial Shape
Responder has four hand types: one suited (one 5+ card suit,
no other 4 card suit), two suited (at least 54),
three suited (4441 or 5440), or balanced (4432 or 4333). The basic
bids are:
- 1♥ - spades
- 1♠ - balanced or reds
- 1NT - hearts
- 2♣ - diamonds
- 2♦ (2♥) - clubs
With a one suited hand, you make the bid which shows your hand, and then
jump to one-suited mode which starts at 2♠. With
a two suited hand, you make bid for your first suit, then your second suit,
then go to two-suited mode. Balanced hands go through
1♠, and three-suited hands are explained below.
5332 with 2 Hearts and Long Minor
These two shapes are very likely to end up playing in 3NT; having no notable
major length. They also wrong-side NT since Responder's second bid is 2NT.
Since this is no fun, these two shapes are considered "balanced" and start
with 1♠ rather than 2m. Note that with excellent tenaces for a future
NT contract, Responder can use judgement to treat those hands as one-suiters
anyway. The tester, however, always considers them balanced.
Two Suiters with a Major and Clubs
To fit these in, we have to perform a little sleight of hand. If the first
bid in Two Suiter mode is 2♥ we bid that directly. If the first bid in
Two Suiter mode is 2♠ or higher, we pause in 2♦ to "set clubs". We have
to do this to distinguish between a direct 2♠+ bid which always shows
a one-suiter.
An easier way to think of this: 2♥ shows longer clubs, and 2♦ shows equal
or shorter clubs.
7-4 Hands
Because the 7 card suit usually plays better, we do not cover these hands.
Responder should use judgement whether to consider the hand 6-4 (if the long
suit is relatively bad), or report the hand as 7xx1 or 7xx0. The Practicer
always treats them as one-suited.
Full Details
Exact Shape
One Suiters
There are shapes with one short suit, and those with two or three doubletons
("flatness"). Meanwhile, we cannot distinguish the fragments for 7321 shape.
Double (triple) Shortness: two or three doubletons
- 3♥ - 6 and 2-2-3 (higher 2) / 7222 (reversed for zoom)
- 3♠>> - 6 and 2-3-2 / 6 and 3-2-2
Single Shortness
- 3♦ - 5332
- 3♥ - 6331
- 3♠ - 7xx0 (reversed for zoom)
- 3NT>> - 7xx1
Two Suiters
First we identify the relative lengths of the longs suits (following the
"high shortness first" rule implies low length first) then the relative
lengths of the short suits.
- 2♥ - Higher long suit is shorter (the "reverser")
- 2♠ - 55 or 11
- 2NT>> - Lower long suit is shorter
Fifty-Five or Eleven
- 3♣ = high shortness
- 3♦ = equal shortness (i.e. 6511 or 5611)
- 3♠ = higher long shortness (i.e. 5611)
- 3NT>> = lower long shorness (i.e. 6511)
- 3♥>> = low shortness
After showing the short suit...
- 3♥ = 5-5-3-0
- 3♠>> = 5-5-2-1
note that we've done the zoom reverse for the more likely 5521.
Long Suits Unequal
Now we need to identify which short suit is shorter.
- 2NT = high shortness
- 3♣ = 5422 -- equal shortness
- 3♦>> = low shortness
Long Suits Unequal, Short Suits Unequal
- 3♦ - 5431
- 3♥ - 6421
- 3♠ - 6520
- 3NT>> - 6430 (reversed for zoom)
We could potentially try to squeeze 7420 in here, at the cost of going past
3NT.
Balanced
When resolving balanced hands, we first resolve the number of hearts,
then a specific hand shape, and finally identify the shortest suit.
- 2♦ = 4 hearts
- 2♥ = 2 hearts
- 2♠ = 33 majors, 43 minors
- 2NT = 4333
- 3♣>> = 3 hearts in 4432
The full pattern:
2♦ | 4 hearts |
2♠ | other suits 2-3-4 ("2 above 3") |
2NT | 3433 |
3♣>> | other suits 4-3-2 ("3 above 2") |
2♥ | 2 hearts |
2NT | 5 minor |
3♦ | 3235 |
3♥>> | 3253 |
3♣>> | 2 hearts 4432 |
2♠ | 33 majors, 34 minors |
3♣ | 3334 ("high shortness") |
3♦>> | 3343 |
2NT | 4333 |
3♣>> | 3 hearts 4432 |
4-3-2 explanation #1
4-3-2 and 2-3-4 mean that if you go around the non-heart suits in a circle --
♠-♦-♣-♠-♦-♣ -- then you will meet the lengths in that order. So, 3442
would see 3-4-2-3-4-2 going around the circle which contains a 2-3-4
inside it.
4-3-2 explanation #2
Look at the 2 card suit and the 3 card suit. They are next to each other if
you ignore hearts and consider spades and clubs to be adjacent. If the two
card suit is immediately above the three card suit
(2♠-3♦ or 2♦-3♣ or 2♣-3♠) then you have a 2-3-4.
If it's immediately below (3♠-2♦ etc) then you have a 4-3-2.
The 4-3-2 shapes are 4432, 2443, 3424. The 2-3-4 shapes are 2434, 3442, 4423.
In 4432 and 5332 cases, we now identify the short non-heart suit, using H
lowest rules:
- 3♣ - High (♠) shortness
- 3♦ - Middle (♦) shortness
- 3♥>> - Low (♣) shortness
Three Suiters
The three-suiters are not symmetric, so we have to count out steps.
With a short minor we started 1♣-1♥-R-1NT-R-2♦-R and the first informational
bid is 2♠ (where R implies the next step, relay bid).
With a short major, we started 2♣-R-2♥-R, so the first informational step
is 2NT. In any case, the first step shows high shortness (♠ or ♦) and
we zoom with low shortness (♥ or ♣).
After showing the short suit, we now show exact shape:
- 1st step: 4441
- 2nd step: 5440 with 4-4-5
- 3rd step: 5440 with 4-5-4
- 4th step >>: 5440 with 5-4-4
No zoom reverse since 5440's are all equally likely.
Hand Strength
TOSR defines three hand strengths:
- Minimum - 8-10 HCP, except AKK is medium
- Medium:
- Most 11-12 HCP
- 13+HCP 3- control points
- However, 12 HCP with 8 AKQ points are maximums
(AAA,AAQQ,AKKQ,KKKK) AAKJ feels a little too weak?
- Maximum: 13+ HCP and 4+ control points
We discourage responding a positive with less than 2 control points, but
we absolutely never call it a medium!
Control points, as a reminder, are 2 for an ace and 1 for a king. AKQ points
(I like to call them "royal points") are A=3, K=2, Q=1.
When Opener asks for strength, the typical response structure is:
- 3NT - any minimum. May also be medium if 3NT is 1st step.
- 1st step -- if below 3NT -- any medium
- 2nd step (skipping 3NT), maxium 4 control points
- 3rd step (skipping 3NT), maxium 5 control points
- etc.
- n.b. 10 control points is maximum possible, zoom (this never happens in real life)
If strength is medium or better, then 3NT becomes forcing.
If the auction is already past 3♠, there is no HCP Range ask, and we go
directly to showing control points.
Also, if Responder is a passed hand, it is automatically a "minimum", so we
go directly to controls, and we additionally use the first step for 1 CP.
Voluntary Rebids
When Opener jumps to game (usually 3NT), Responder can rebid with 14+ HCP,
showing number of controls starting at 3 (4♣=3, 4♦=4, etc). Bidding proceeds
naturally at this point.
showing number of Royal Points (A=3, K=2, Q=1), starting at 8 over 3NT;
(e.g. 4♣=8, 4♦=9, etc.) or starting at 10 over a game level contract since
space is more limited. Typically 21 RP is good for 6NT and 20 RP for a suit
slam although sometimes a 19 RP pair of hands can squeak through. Without
enough Royal Points we do not bid on.
Exact Control Points
If after strength showing, the number of controls is still uncertain,
the next relay asks for exact number of controls, with expected responses:
- 1st step, 2- control points
- 2nd step, 3 control points
- 3rd step, 4 control points (zoom if minimum)
- 4th step >>, 5 control points
Exact Honors
Responder orders his suits from longest to shortest, using S-H-D-C order
to break ties. A circular scan of these suits is now performed. First
we scan for Aces and Kings, then a second scan for Queens, then a final
scan for Jacks.
- With an even number (0 or 2) is indicated by making a bid
- One honor is indicated by skipping a step
- We never scan singletons or voids
- We assume Opener can tell the difference between 0 and 2 controls cards
in a suit.
- Furthermore, when we have shown at least 5+ controls, we assume
Opener knows exactly how many control cards we have (i.e. can tell
whether our 5 controls are AAK or AKKK).
- Any scan which can be eliminated mathematically is skipped!
- If Responder shows 6+ controls, Opener can skip one step and start
directly on queen scans.
Example 1
Responder holds ♠x ♥AQxxx ♦AKx ♣QTxx. After showing a 1534 maximum with
5 controls, the scan order is ♥-♣-♦. Assuming responder has just bid
4♠ asking for exact honors, we skip the next bid, 4NT, because we have 1 AK
in ♥. In ♣ we have none, so we stop, and bid 5♣. 5♦ resumes the relay,
and we stop again in 5♥ because we have 2 AK in diamonds. 5♠ resumes the
relay again, and this time we skip 5NT because of the ♥Q, skip 6♣ because
of the ♣Q, and stop bidding 6♦ to show the ♦Q. The highest possible
relay is 5NT so Opener's next bid places the contract.
Example 2
Responder holds ♠QTxxx ♥AKQxx ♦Jx ♣x. After showing a medium 5521 with
3 controls, Opener asks for honor cards with 4♥. We stop at 4♠ because
of 0 in ♠. 4NT asks again, and we stop in 5♣ because of 2 in ♥.
5♦ asks a third time, and this time we assume Opener knows we showed 3
controls in hearts, so there are none more. We now go to queens. We have
the ♠Q so skip 5♥, we have the ♥Q so skip 5♠, but no ♦Q so stop in
5NT.
Practicer
The practicer always assumes that 5332 hands with 2 hearts and 5 minor
are balanced.
It also assumes 74xx hands are one suiters. It now handles stopper asking
breaks.
Other features like reverse relays, and 4♣/4♦ "end bids"
(none of which is currently mentioned above, but are mentioned in other
TOSR docs) are not implemented.
Try it
Last Chance Slam Try
If Opener makes a jump bid to 4♣ or 4♦, that is asking Responder to make
a judgement good-bad call within the context of what has been shown so far.
The next step is "bad" and Opener's next call places the contract. Further
steps continue with control count or honor scan as appropriate.
For the specific case when Responder just bid 3NT showing a minimum,
4♦ asks for 6 AKQ poits.
Interference
Directly over 1♣
If the Opponents bid directly over 1♣, we ignore when possible. There are
two options for 1♠.
- 1♣ - (X): XXALERT is semi-positive, Pass is negative with some clubs
(3+), 1♦ALERT is negative with 2- clubs. The semi-positive promises
at least one rebid below 2NT (exception: Opener bids 1NT). 1♥+
are systems on
- 1♣ - (1♦): XALERT is semi-positive, same rebid promise.
Pass is negative. 1♥+ systems on.
- 1♣ - (1♥): Pass is negative. XALERT shows GF with spades (systems on),
1♠+ system on
- 1♣ - (1♠): We can try to ignore, or go natural.
-
Ignore: XALERT shows GF with balanced or reds, 1NT+ is
systems on. The hand that was going to bid 1♥ showing spades
makes a "Trap Pass" and bids naturally after Opener reopens.
Slightly dangerous but usually works out.
- Natural:We bid naturally, approximately doing the same
as vs. 2-level overcalls.
After the Relay has Started
The most important rule is that if the opponents bid 3 steps or above,
the relay is off and we revert to natural. If the opponents double, or
bid the first two steps, we continue the system.
Opponents interfere over Responder, Opener makes the next call
Opener is Captain, so can Double as a strong penalty try, Redouble as
a cooperative penalty try (Responder may Pass to accept the penalty try or
bid the next relay response to deny it), Pass to ask for the next relay step, or
break the relay.
If Opener Passes to continue the relay, if we are in the shape-showing
part of the relay (where bids still have specific meanings like 3♥ showing
6-3-3-1 shape), then Opener just makes the appropriate bid and uses X for
stolen bids.
If we are in the part of the relay where we are counting steps: control
counts, honor scans, or even three suiter exact shapes, then Responder
uses X/XX for first step and bids for second+ steps.
Opponents interfere over Opener, Responder makes the next call
If we are in shape-showing mode, Responder typically just makes the
relay bid, using Pass and X as first and second stolen bid as
appropriate. That is, if the Opener's last call was 2♥ continuing the
relay..
- ...2♥-(X)-2♠ - means 2♠
- ...2♥-(2♠)-P - means 2♠
- ...2♥-(2NT)-P - means 2♠
- ...2♥-(2NT)-X - means 2NT
Advanced: Whenever we're below 3NT - Look for Stoppers
If the interference is an opposition double and we are in the shape-showing
phase, we can additionally try to suss out stoppers for free.
- Opponents Double Opener - Responder bids next:
- PassALERT - No stopper. Opener XX to resume the relay
- else - as per relay, promises a stopper
- Opponents Double Responder - Opener bids next:
- PassALERT - stopper ask. And now Responder:
- XXALERT - "no". Opener bids next step to resume the relay
- step 1ALERT - "half stopper". We are forced into natural
bidding from here on
- step 2+ - "yes" and normal relay meaning
- Step 1ALERT - normal "tell me more" bid
- Step 2+ - normal relay break bid
In general, if we looked for a stopper and failed to find one and then Opener
breaks the relay, this is showing a minimum 1♣ opener which has lost
confidence in the ability to make game opposite a minimum GF response now
that 3NT is unplayable. Bidding is natural but NF.
Responder can cue bid the danger suit to create a GF.
Stopper Asking
If we are going along showing shape, or we have just finished showing shape but
have yet to show strength, and Opener can tell that 3NT is the
likely final contract and there is a suit with a dubious stopper, Opener
can break the relay below 3NT to find out about that suit.
The suits are in standard order ♠-♥-♦-♣, however:
- Only suits which might have 2 or 3 cards count. Shown singletons are
assumed to never be a stopper. Shown 4+ card suits are assumed to
always be a stopper.
- A stopper is A, KQ, KTx, QJx, or xxxx. Kx or Kxx count as a stopper
only if NT will be correctly sided.
- If the Opponents have shown a suit, that suit goes to top priority,
instead of spades.
Opener's 1st step is the standard
relay. 2nd step asks for the first danger suit. 3rd step asks for the
second danger suit, and so on.
Responder's answers are:
- 3NT - <13 HCP with a stopper in the danger suit
- 1st other step - <13 HCP with no stopper
- 2nd other step - ≥13 HCP with no stopper
- 3rd other step - ≥13 HCP, 3- CP, stopper
- 4th other step - ≥13 HCP, 4 CP, stopper
- 5th other step - ≥13 HCP, 5 CP, stopper
- etc. zoom if you get to 10 (this never happens)
after stopper denying bids, Opener's next bid is to play. Over 3NT,
4♣ asks for controls (4♦=2, etc). Over stopper showing maximums, the
next step starts the honor scan.
Possible Changes
Here are changes I would like to consider, but have not implemented yet.
Honor Scans with Few Controls
When the number of controls is less than the number of suits to be scanned,
it saves relay steps on average to reverse the answers: stop on 1 and to
skip on 0/2. Some sample data:
Pattern | Controls | Regular | Reversed |
4333 | 2 | 6.17 | 4.74 |
4333 | 3 | 5.17 | 4.56 |
4432 | 2 | 6.13 | 4.80 |
4432 | 3 | 5.17 | 4.67 |
5332 | 2 | 6.15 | 4.79 |
5332 | 3 | 5.05 | 4.56 |
5431 | 2 | 4.68 | 4.06 |
4441 | 2 | 4.71 | 4.08 |
5521 | 2 | 4.64 | 4.03 |
We can also find cases where the number of queens is limited and get a
similar savings on the queen scan (e.g. if we showed a minimum with 3 controls,
there is at most one queen (AK) or none (KKK))
Two Suiters with 55+
The original TOSR document puts all such shapes considered: 5521, 5530, 6511,
6520 into the 2♠ bucket. This document currently keeps 6520 in the
non-2♠ sequence. TOSR's version has the (minor?) benefit that once Responder
fails to bid 2♠ (either by stepping on the 2♥ Reverser or zooming past), we
know that the second suit is exactly 4 cards. In particular with 3 cards
opposite, there is no pressure to necessarily find out the exact shape in
the forlorn hope that this is the 1 time in 1000 that Responder actually has
the 6520. Pulling 6520 out of the main line would also allow us to add 7420
to the main line, should we feel that is a benefit (instead of using 7xx0).
The downside to putting 6520 shapes into the 2♠ followups is that there isn't
enough bidding space to fit in all shapes below 3NT. Only 8 shapes can be
fit but there are 10 total (since there are actually 4 6520's).
Other possibilities would be to give up on covering 65xx shapes altoghether
(they are fairly rare); give up on being able to distinguish the 6 from the 5
(e.g. 3♣=5521, 3♦=5530, 3♥=(65)02 high 0, 3♠=(65)11, 3NT=(65)20, low 0);
or let ourselves use 4♣ for a couple of the rarer shapes.
Other 5332 Shapes
We allow 1♠ (balanced) to show 5 heart hands to avoid wrong-siding an eventual
NT contract. We could consider doing a similar thing for 5=3=2=3 (1♥-2NT-3♦),
3=2=3=5 (2♦-2NT-3♦), 3=2=5=3 (2♣-2NT-3♦). There is currently space
to squeeze two of the three shapes in (1♠-2♦-2NT and 1♠-2NT could both take
a 2-step response and still give us full shape by 3♥). If we are willing
to go to 3♠ on a couple of balanced shapes, we can fit all three in. One
might argue that 4333 shapes are poor for slams and therefore it is not
so costly to have them come out at 3♠ (Actually, at 3♥ with the more
useful shape zooming at 3♠, saving the step for the useful shape).
Balanced, 4 Hearts
Rather than have the second step show 2-3-4 vs. 4-3-2, maybe it is better to
show the doubleton first, and then show the tripleton? This would give
Opener more ability to break the realy for a stopper ask. Currently, by the
time we know which suits are short we are often quite high.
Relays over 1M Openers
We use 1NT as an artificial game force, and with a small amount of work, we
can use the same relays as above. Some work is also needed to handle non-GF
hands, which I will write sometime.
1NT GF Relay
After 1M-1NT, we have either a three suiter (5440), a two suiter (noting we
don't need the reverser) or a one suiter. Opener is now the answerer and
responds as:
- 2♣ - Two suiter w/minor (not 5 clubs)
- 2♥ - clubs (aka high shortness)
- 2♠>> - diamonds (low shortness)
- 2♦ - Two suiter with OM
- 2♥ - three suiter or 5 clubs:
- 2NT - three suiter:
- 3♦ - high shortness (OM)
- 3♥ - mid shortness (♦)
- 3♠>> - low shortness (♣)
- 3♣>> - 5 clubs
- 2♠>> - One Suiter
Strength Asks
When we get to the strength ask part of the relays, we only have two
strengths: min and max. Max is, like over 1♣ positives, 13+ with 4
controls or AAQQ or AAA or AKKQ. Min is "anything else". Max zooms at
7 controls (AAAK), and Min zooms at 5 controls (AAK).
Minor Improvement when M=♥
n.b. when the opening major is hearts, the sequence 1♥ → 2♦ → 2♠
is sort of wasted space; we wouldn't open 1♥ with 55 majors. This suggests
the mild improvement that when M=♥, then:
- 1♥ → 2♦ → 2♠ is 45(04) or 5611:
- 3♣ - high shortness 4504
- 3♦ - unlikely shape 5611
- 3♥>> - low shortness 4540
- 1♥ → 2♥ → 2NT is 0544 exactly.
Other Two Suiter Changes
When we open with 1M and reveal a two suited hand, there is only 6511 shape,
so we collapse that into 3♠>> when in 55-11 mode.