Kokish Relays

Mr. Eric Kokish devised the following mechanism to illustrate how it is possible to show a strong holding and a balanced hand without having to consume bidding spade on the three level. This agreement is employed by those partnerships, which have agreed that 2 is the only forcing opening bid, that a 2NT opening is a Gambling 2NT opening or a Weak Minor Preempt. With this understanding all holdings with a 20-24 plus point range, balanced or unbalanced distribution, must be opened with the strong 2 opening.

Note: Some partnerships have agreed to employ the Kokish Relays only with a point count generally between 25-26 points. This is the definition provided by the Bridge World magazine.

It is generally accepted practice to show such a strong holding with an artificial strong 2 opening. Examine the following examples and review the following explanations of the auction sequences:

KJ98 A87 AK9 KQJ

2	Pass	2	Pass
2NT*

* This shows a balanced 20-22

KJ98 A87 AKQ KQJ

2	Pass	2	Pass
2*	Pass	2	Pass
2NT

* This is the Kokish Relay, a puppet for responder to bid an automatic 2 in order that the opener clarify his holding. North shows a balanced distribution of 23-24 points, a holding too strong for a normal 2 - 2NT rebid. The partnership remains on the two level, which is the key of this concept.

KJ98 AK7 AKQ KQJ

2	Pass	2	Pass
2	Pass	2	Pass
3NT*

* North shows a balanced distribution of 25-27 points, a holding too strong for a normal 2 - 3NT rebid. This rebid is not part of the original version of the Kokish Relays, but could be used as an extension of this concept by partnership agreement if an opening bid of 3NT would indicate a possible Gambling 3NT.

Using the Kokish Relay, the responder would do exactly the same thing if the strong holding has an independent suit. However, the opener would change the bidding sequence in the following manner:

2	Pass	2	Pass
2	Pass	2	Pass
3*

* North now has described his holding with a point range of 20-24 points and an independent Heart suit, insufficient however to bid game. Therefore this bid is invitational per partnership agreement.

Other partnerships have agreed upon the following auction, which is then game forcing:

2	Pass	2	Pass
3*

* No Kokish Relay is required to show an independent suit holding in Hearts to show a game forcing action. The partner must continue to game, and with additional values will initiate a slam try.

If the opener bids anything other than 2NT, then these rebids are natural and generally indicate Hearts. Some partnerships agree upon the Heart suit as being a requirement.

This approach is advantageous when holding strong, balanced hands, which are too strong in values for an immediate, non-forcing 2NT rebid. This is because the conventional approaches listed below can be employed with ease on the three level. The auction has not been raised dramatically and the bidding space is still available.

After this Kokish Relay, the responder can, by partnership agreement, employ the Stayman, the Jacoby Transfer, Texas Transfer, the Gerber, or the Roman Key Card conventions.

As with many other conventional methods, different variations have arisen. Included is a different approach suggested by Mr. Danny Kleinman.

• After a 2 rebid by the opener, the responder bids 3 and 3 naturally to indicate the corresponding long Minor suit and moderate values. It is possible that the responder then becomes the declarer.
• After a 2 rebid by the opener, the responder bids 2NT when holding a 6-card plus Spade suit, which the opener with the stronger holding will declare when holding Spade support. And, using the same approach, after a 2 rebid by the opener, the responder bids 3 promising a 6-card plus Spade suit and at least a 3-card Heart suit. With any support the opener, holding the stronger values, becomes the declarer in either Major suit.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.