Symmetric Relays 2.0
====================

Suit-setting
------------

Length-rule 1: any proven 3+ length in opener's hand is a possible strain.
Length-rule 2: order suit by opener's longest to shortest.
Length-rule 3: length-ties are broken by cheaper game (H/S/C/D)

(Referred to as LR1/2/3 in later text)

If 4C is available then:

A) 3NT is always natural
B) 4D is the end-signal, a puppet to 4H
C) Remaining bids are Deadwood, cheapest is opener's longest by LR2 & LR3.

If opener's shape-showing response is 4C or higher:

X) Any playable 4-major is natural and NF
Y) 4D is Deadwood in opener's longest suit
Z) Remaining bids are Deadwood as (C) above

Breaking an End-Signal
----------------------

Where Opener has enough to make a slam try opposite minimum 2C response he may decline to bid 4D; typically this will be about 17 HCPs.

1) 'Soft' - to a NF 4S when 4H was not playable (opener has <3) showing great spades and modest extras
2) 'Hard' - show key cards with respect to longest suit by not bidding 4H
3) Where (1) was possible, bidding 4H and showing key-cards over responder's choice of strain. (We don't have an agreement for immediately bidding above 4S when 4H not playable)

Early Relay Breaks
------------------

If responder has sufficiently good clubs to envisage playing that strain without 3-card support, he must not relay after his first response.

1M - 2C; 2D - 3M = min balanced 3CR
 
1M - 2C; 2D - 2S = ART, 3CR with clubs, possible shortage (2NT waiting)
 
1M - 2C; 2D - 3C = clubs, single-suited
 
1M - 2C; 2D - 3D = clubs and diamonds
 
1M - 2C; 2D - 3OM = clubs and other-major
 
1M - 2C; 2D - 2NT = Clubs, no shortage
 
Of course you don't have to show a 3CR raise immediately - but that's what the calls mean if you do. Presumably, because this will wrongside no-trumps opposite a weak NT, responder won't have any tenaces to protect.
 
1M - 2C; 2H - much as above
 
1M - 2C; 2S - 3C is most club hands (opener is single-suited)
 
1M - 2C; 2NT - now opener is showing clubs so responder can relay with club hands.

After 1 Major
-------------

1M - 2C
2D = Transfer (to own suit = diamonds) OR 3-suited [5-4-4-0] OR MIN 5-3-3-2 (Weak NT)
2H = Transfer (to own suit = diamonds)
2S = single-suited
2NT = lower shortage (immediate 2NT and higher implies club length)
3C = 5-4-2-2 OR 6-5-1-1 OR 7-4-1-1 {3D? 5-4-2-2; 6-5-1-1; 7-4-1-1}
3D*= 5-5-2-1 OR 5-5-3-0 {3H? 5-5-2-1; 5-5-3-0}
3H = 5-4-3-1
3S = 6-4-2-1
3NT = 6-4-3-0
4C = 6-5-2-0
4D = 7-4-2-0
4H = 7-5-1-0
4S = 6-6-1-0

* = When 5-5 in the indicated two suits is impossible, 3D = MAX 5-4-3-1.

3-suited or Weak NT (4CM)
-------------------------
1M - 2C
2D - 2H
2S - 2NT
3C = weak NT [5-3-3-2 or 4CM]
3D = 5-4-4-0, void diamond
3H = 5-4-4-0, void NGF (if M = H then clubs)
3S = 5-4-4-0, void NGF (if M = S then clubs)

Single-suited
-------------

It is not possible to identify opener's 3 card suits when,
a) he might be 6-3-3-1 or 7-3-2-1 (both respond 3C)
b) he is 6-3-2-2

1M - 2C
2S - 2NT
3C = 6+ cards any singleton (not void) {3D? NGF as 3H below}
3D = "5-6-7-6" no shortage {3H? 17-19 5-3-3-2; 6-3-2-2 MIN; 7-2-2-2; 6-3-2-2 MAX}
3H = 7+ void NGF (if M = H then clubs)
3S = 7+ void NGF (if M = S then clubs)
3NT = 7+ void diamond (min)
4C = 7+ void diamond (MAX)
4D = "my suit is trumps"

After 1 Diamond
---------------

1D - 2C
2D = Hearts (transfer) OR 3-suited [5-4-4-0 / 4-4-4-1] OR Weak NT
2H = Spades (transfer)
2S = single-suited, no-shortage rebids (in 3D) are 6-6-7-7 MIN/MAX
2NT...

Patterns as above, immediate 2NT and higher implies club length.
With a major side-suit, 3D = MAX 5-4-3-1

Weak NT: no major-suit alternative to unravel so opener simply raises to 3NT

1D - 2C
2D - 2H
2S - 2NT
3C = 4-4-4-1 {3D? NGF 3NT = 4=4=4=1 MIN, 4C = 4=4=4=1 MAX}
3D = 5-4-4-0, void club
3H = 5-4-4-0, void heart
3S = 5-4-4-0, void spade
3NT = Weak NT

After 1 Club
------------

1S = Balanced (0-6 no major / 11-12 no major / 12+ FG any) OR diamonds

1C - 1S
1NT = Balanced (11-13 OR 17-19)
2C = MIN single-suited (relay-resp = 2S) OR MIN with diamonds (relay-resp = 2NT+)
2D = hearts OR 3-suited
2H = spades
2S = MAX (16+) single-suited
2NT...

Patterns as above, immediate 2NT and higher implies diamond length and extras (18+).
3D = MAX 5-4-3-1, 3H = 5-4-3-1 at any stage.

If opener rebids 2S (16+ single-suited) responder can still sign-off in 3-minor. When opener shows diamonds (2NT+) we may not be able to stop but with neither partner holding major length this is unlikely to occur.

To force to game after the balanced hand rebid, responder starts with 2C.
All others (except for 3M etc.) are INV or weaker.

1C - 1S
1NT - 2C = Puppet to 2D, possibly to play opp 17-19, otherwise FG
      2D = INV opp 17-19, diamonds,
      2M = INV opp 11-13, Nat + diamonds (opener's OM = strong NT)
      2NT = INV opp 11-13
      3m = INV opp 11-13
      3M = SPL 3OM, 5-4 minors
      3NT = Nat, no slam unless MAX 17-19

1C - 1S
1NT - 2C
2D - 2M = FG Nat + diamonds
     2NT = FG BAL
     3m = FG NAT
     3M = SPL 3OM, 5-4 minors, slam INV opp 11-13

1C - 1S
2C - Pass = OK
     2D = NF {opener can scramble or raise obstructively}
     2H = FG relay {2S = single-suited, 2NT.. etc.}
     2S = INV, diamonds
     2NT = INV BAL
     3C = INV, nat
     3D = INV, nat

1C - 1S
2D - 2H = FG relay 
     2S = INV, diamonds
     2NT = INV BAL
     3C = to play
     3D = to play

1C - 1S
2H - 2S = FG relay
     2NT = INV
     3C = to play
     3D = to play

1C - 1S
2S - 2NT = FG now opener has extras
     3C = weak
     3D = weak

1C - 1S
2NT - 3C = FG now opener has extras
      3D = weak

1C - 1S
3C - 3D = FG now opener has extras