July 2008 - 28

Bidding
Lab
Ideas and innovations
from ACBL members
By David Chuan

Art by Shane McDermott

KWC
Kokish relay solves the problems of
very big balanced hands. It goes: 2
- 2; 2, which is a relay to 2,
then opener bids 2NT to show a big
balanced hand. Systemic responses
such as Stayman and transfers, can be
used.
After strong 2, some pairs agree
that a response of 2 shows a bad
hand (parameters vary, but it's usually
not more than 3 HCP). In this structure, 2 shows game-forcing values
but without the requisite holding for a
positive response in a suit.
You can use the Kokish relay over a
2 response, but after partner's 2
response, it is necessary to jump to
3NT to show the big balanced hand.
If you play a 2 response to 2
as the super-negative, I suggest that
you employ this structure for more
efficient bidding when you have a big
balanced hand.
After 2 - 2 (bust), a 2 rebid
shows (a) strong 2 opening or (b) a
big balanced hand. Responder treats

opener's hand as (b) and bids accordingly.
So, after 2 - 2; 2
1) 3 = What kind of hand? If it is
a big balanced hand, tell me about
four-card majors. Opener rebids:
A) 3 = strong 2, may have
shorter heart suit.
B) 3 = big balanced hand,
four-card heart suit, may
have four spades.
C) 3 = big balanced hand,
four spades, fewer than four
hearts.
D) 3NT = big balanced hand, no
four-card major.
2) 3 = transfer to hearts. Opener's
third bid:
A) 3 = to play: big balanced
hand but not interested in
game opposite a 2 response or a strong 2 and
willing to play in hearts.

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B) 3 = strong 2, forget
about hearts.
C) 3NT or 4 = to play.
D) Other bids natural.
3) 3= transfer to spades. Opener's
third bids are as over 3.
What does it mean if responder
bids 2NT over partner's 2 relay?
You could play it as a transfer to
3 for a hand with one long minor
(you will correct to diamonds if that
is your suit). 2 - 2; 2 - 3
could be used to show at least 5-5
in the minors. If you have 5-5 in a
major and a minor, you probably will
want to show only the major.
When it goes 2 - 2; 3NT, that
bid will show nine tricks in hand or
whatever suits you and your partner.
I think this treatment is better than
2 - 2 (bust); 3NT to show a big
balanced hand.
This method, of course, does not
cover all possibilities or solve all
problems. If you really want to bid
slam when opener is strong and
balanced and responder is weak
and distributional, try a strong 1
system.
I call this structure KWC, for Kokish relay for weak responses to strong
2, and thank Jack Chao of Oceanside CA and Dr. Wally Goldban of
Palm Desert CA for practicing the
system with me.
r
The author, who lives in Rancho
Mirage CA, is a few points from
becoming a Gold Life Master.
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2008