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The Kokish Relay |
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Open 3NT with a big hand? – don't be silly. |
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What is 3NT in the sequence 2♣ - 2♦ - 3NT? Answer – a very silly bid! |
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You hold one of these hands and partner opens 3NT (25+) . Or else it goes 2♣ - 2♦ - 3NT to show 25+. |
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| Hand A |
Hand B |
Should you pass or bid Stayman with Hand A? |
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Should you pass or transfer with Hand B? |
| ♠ |
8632 |
♠ |
86532 |
Obviously it's a complete lottery and most players past the beginner's stage play have some way to show the big balanced hand below the level of 3NT (Benjamin twos, Multi 2♦ or Kokish). |
| ♥ |
4 |
♥ |
74 |
| ♦ |
J872 |
♦ |
J872 |
| ♣ |
843 |
♣ |
843 |
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Traditionally 3NT here (and/or an opening of 3NT) are used to show very big balanced hands, 25+ points. But there is absolutely no doubt that this is very silly as it inhibits the use of transfers/Stayman/Baron whatever by a very weak responder. One solution is to also play 2♦ as also a strong bid (or else Multi with a strong balanced hand included) so that the sequence 2♦ - 2♥ - 2NT shows 25+. However, many players, especially from America , are not enlightened enough to play two strong artificial bids. But if you play 2♣ as your only strong bid then one North American player has actually come up with a scheme to solve the problem: – |
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The Kokish relay : -
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After a strong 2♣ and 2♦ response (negative or waiting – however you play it)
Then 2♥ = either natural with a ♥ suit or 25+ balanced.
Responder then always bids 2♠ (the Kokish relay which says nothing at all) and –
| Opener then defines his hand: |
2NT = 25+ balanced |
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Any other bid = strong ♥ opener. |
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Note that the Kokish relay works fine with 2♦ waiting/2♥ negative when responder bids 2♦ but when responder bids 2♥ (totally bust) then there is a problem. But at least the Kokish relay solves the problem most of the time. If you want to solve it completely then play Benjamin twos or the Multi 2♦ or play 2♦ negative to 2♣. |
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For details of Benjamin twos or the Multi 2♦, refer to the link. |
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And what should a 3NT opening mean? Have a look at the Gambling 3NT. |
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Pattaya Bridge Club - |
www.pattayabridge.com |
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