Symmetric Relay Precision

As all strong hands are jammed into the 1-opening, this is very suitable for relays. The 1-opener makes a sequence of relays, in each step acquiring more information about responder's hand. This continues until opener places the final contract.
1 16+ HCP, 15 HCP possible with a distributional hand.
1 11 - 15 HCP, 4+
1 11 - 15 HCP, 5+
1 11 - 15 HCP, 5+
1NT 12 - 15 balanced
2 Precision 2: 11 - 15 HCP, good 5 + 4/ or 6+
2 Mini-Roman 11 - 15 HCP, 3-suited with short : 4414 4405 3415 or 4315
2 Weak Two in
2 Weak Two in
2NT 22 - 23 balanced

Responses to 1

Except for the negative response (1), this is the start of the relay sequence. As the situation is GF, opener will continue to bid the next bid until he places the contract. The first step is to show your suits:
  • 1: Negative response (0-8)
  • 1: 9+ HCP, 4+
  • 1: 9+ HCP, 4+, no 4
  • 1NT: 9+ HCP, 4333, 4432, 5332
  • 2: 9+ HCP, 5+ or 4 + 5+ (no 4/)
  • 2: 9+ HCP, 5+, no other 4-card suit
  • 2: 9+ HCP, 3-suiter, short /
  • 2: 9+ HCP, 5+, 5+
  • 2NT+: First step done with 4 5+

    To continue, if you have shown a major, you get the opportunity to show another suit.
    To see the underlying pattern emerging, notice the following:
  • 2 starts a 1-suiter sequence
    In the case of 2-suiters where 1 suit is a 4-card suit, there is also parallel bidding:
  • 2 shows a reverse hand: A 4-card suit with a longer lower suit

    1 - 1 - 1(relay) - ?
  • 1NT: 4+ 4+
  • 2: 4+ 4+ (no 4)
  • 2: 5+, 4+
  • 2: 4, 5+
  • 2+: First step done, 1-suiter

    1 - 1 - 1NT(relay) - ?
  • 2: 4+ 4+ (no 4)
  • 2: 5+, 4+
  • 2: 4, 5+
  • 2+: First step done, 1-suiter

    In case of the minors, we almost directly go into the 1-suiter track:
    1 - 2 - 2(relay) - ?
  • 2: 4 5+
  • 2+ First step done, 1-suiter

    1 - 2 - 2(relay) - ?
  • 2+ First step done, 1-suiter

    Further sorting out after major suits:
    1 - 1 - 1 - 1NT - 2(relay) - ?
  • 2: 3-suiter, short /
  • 2: 5+ 4
  • 2: 5+ 5+
  • 2NT+: First step done with 4 5+

    1 - 1 - 1NT - 2 - 2(relay) - ?
  • 2: 5+ 4
  • 2: 5+ 5+
  • 2NT+: First step done with 4 5+

    1 - 1 - 1NT - 2 - 2(relay) - ?
  • 2: 5+ 4
  • 2: 5+ 5+
  • 2NT+: First step done with 4 5+

    Why is it called Symmetric Relay?

    To see the symmetric relay effect, here are all 12 sequences showing a 5422 distribution:
    4=5=2=2: 1 - 1 - 1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3
    5=4=2=2: 1 - 1 - 1 - 1NT - 2 - 3
    2=4=2=5: 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3
    2=5=2=4: 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 3
    2=5=4=2: 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 3
    2=4=5=2: 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 3
    4=2=2=5: 1 - 1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3
    5=2=2=4: 1 - 1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 3
    5=2=4=2: 1 - 1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 3
    4=2=5=2: 1 - 1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 3
    2=2=4=5: 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3
    2=2=5=4: 1 - 3

    As you can see, all of them end in 3. Every hand with reverse shape (i.e. the 4-card suit ranks higher than the 5-card suit) bids 2 at some point.

    1-suiter scheme

  • 2: high shortage
  • 2NT: middle shortage
  • 3: equal shortage
  • 3+: low shortage

    Shortage is known:
  • Step 1: 6331
  • Step 2: 7330
  • Step 3: 7321 high doubleton
  • Step 4: 7321 low doubleton

    2-suiter scheme

  • 2: 5-5 or longer
  • 2NT: high shortage
  • 3: equal shortage
  • 3+: low shortage

    Shortage is known:
  • 3: 5431
  • 3: 6421
  • 3: 7420
  • 3NT: 6430

    3-suiter scheme

  • Step 1: high shortage
  • Step 2: low shortage, 4441
  • Step 3: low shortage, 5440, high 5
  • Step 4: low shortage, 5440, middle 5
  • Step 5: low shortage, 5440, low 5

    Balanced scheme

  • 2: no 4-card major
  • 2: 4
  • 2: 4 no 4
  • 2NT: 5332
  • 3+: 5332

    1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 2(relay) - ?
  • 2: 5332
  • 2: 5332
  • 2NT: 4 + 432
  • 3: 4333
  • 3: 4333

    1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 2(relay) - ?
  • 2NT: 4 432
  • 3: 4 4 3-2
  • 3: 4 4 low doubleton
  • 3: 4 4 high doubleton

    1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 2NT(relay) - ?
  • 3: 4 4 3-2
  • 3: 4 4 low doubleton
  • 3: 4 4 high doubleton