Modified Wolff Relays

(Courtesy of Bob Crosby)

Responses after a 2NT rebid can be very cumbersome especially if the 2NT bidder can have a major. Relays to the rescue. The beauty of relays are that they describe a class of hands depending on whether or not you chose to relay. For memory purposes, If you choose to bid 3 as a relay you are doing so for the most part to describe weak hands or weak suits. If you spurn the relay and bid naturally, you have more distribution and possible slam interest.

The 5 main purposes of the 3 relay after 2NT:

• 1. Get out with weak hands
• 2. Checkback Stayman
• 3. Bad suit slam tries
• 4. 3NT can have a special meaning after a relay
• 5. No slam interest or distribution with the majors

Over the 3 relay partner must bid 3 or support your major (break relay) with 4 card support. You can pass 3 or if you now bid your major partner must pass. You tend to bid a major with diamonds.

KJ10x xx Jxxxxx x

1	Pass	1	Pass
2NT	Pass	3	Pass
3	Pass	Pass	Pass

Finding the spade fit after a 2NT rebid is done from the relay side.

1	Pass	1	Pass
2NT	Pass	3	Pass
3*	Pass

* This shows 4-4 in the majors and you are checking back for a 4-4 spade fit

With single suited hands you have the inference that you chose to relay instead of bidding naturally. This can mean a difference in the quality of your suits. Bidding naturally and insisting on your suit can show a solid suit slam try. Making a relay first and then insisting on your suit can show broken suit slam tries.

Making a relay and then bidding 3NT begs the question why relay in the first place? This sequence shows a slam try with partners minor. If partner is not interested in the minor slam, 3NT is the spot to play.

Do not use relays to find out if you have a 5-3 major fit. Bid the 5 card suit naturally and partner will only raise with 3 card support. This sequence does not show a 6 card suit as you would have leapt to game with a 6 card suit and game values.

You hold Axxxx Kxxx xx xx or AJxxx AKxxx xx x.

Partner opens a minor and rebids 2NT. With the first hand relay first before bidding hearts. This tells partner you are 5-4 with no slam interests. The second hand just bid naturally and immediately partner is clued in that you have distribution and possibly slam interest.

Relays are an excellent bidding tool to clarify auctions. Wolff relays have now become standard with Bridge World Standard 2001.