Basic structure

• TOR = transfer or extra
  • (R) = NF negative, accepts the transfer
• TOR + 1 = transfer back to the suit of TOR

Examples

Birthright (Kokish Relay)

A classical problem with the strong 2♣ opening is whether the auction is game-forcing. One solution is the Kokish Relay, where opener bids 2♥ to show hearts or a unilaterally game-forcing hand. This treatment potentially wastes space because opener hardly passes 2♥-2♠.

The rebids after 2♣-2♦ I propose are:

2♥

5+ spades or FG

2♠

NF, 5+ hearts

2NT to 3♦

NAT NF

After 2♥, the default 2♠ fits any hand that responder would pass natural 2♠. Other responses are game-forcing.

After 2♠, responder passes with weak long spades. The 3♥ response is to play. Whether 2NT is game-forcing is up to partnership agreement.

Polish Club with swapped minor suits

1♣

Polish Club with diamonds instead of clubs:

1. Balanced 12–14 HCP
2. 11–17 HCP, 5+ diamonds or 4441
3. 18+ HCP, any

1♦

11–17 HCP, 5+ clubs or (441)4

It took me almost one year to accept this idea until I realized that 1♣-1X-2♣ should retransfer to diamonds. The strength difference between natural diamonds (11+ HCP) and clubs (18+ HCP) is so large that opener should transfer twice. The odwrotka sequence of 1♣-1X-2♦ remains a power reverse.

Drawbacks

Responding to TOR + 1 is more complicated than TOR. You can no longer park at the negative relay (TOR + 1). Accepting the transfer (TOR + 5) becomes default and often meets a pass. Take 1♦ (showing clubs) for example:

• Pass: weak long diamonds
• 1NT: constructive natural, effectively 4+ diamonds
• 2♣: almost a signoff with 3–4 clubs
• 2♥♠: game try with 3+ clubs
• 2NT: preemptive raise with 4+ clubs
• 3♣: mixed raise with 4+ clubs