[benlessard]

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We used to play system on if opponents decided to X or make the 1st step overcall. However since the odds taht opps keep bidding is too high we have change it. (partner tough is was relaying (i was showing S) he was showing clubs over the relay I tought he had 3s.

Our 1D is unbalanced 11-23,What do you prefer

1D--(1H)--??

a) standard
X= 4S
1S = 5
1Nt nat
etc

b) transfers (wich is ours main philosophy in general)

X= 4 or 5S
1S = values (5C+2/3D) may not have a stopper
1NT = clubs
2C = weak or GF D raise
2D = INV raise
2H= 6S weak or GF
2S= 6S inv

c) keeping the relays so that if 4th seat pass we will be able to inv and stop at 2m, or to play in right m if opener has both m.

X= relay
1S = 5 NF (we should probably make an exception and play that 1S is forcing and can be only 4 but im trying to downsize exceptions)
1NT = clubs
2C = weak or GF D raise
2D = inv

lost 13 here but i know we will fix this soon so its no big deal.

[wclass___]

Stop relays and put more emphasize on putting over-caller on lead.

[Raff90]

I usually play:
1♦-(1♥)-??
X= 4+♠
1♠ = takeout with 0-3 ♠
1NT = ♣
2♣ = good ♦ raise
2♦ = bad raise
i guess thats pretty standard and i wouldnt recommend to keep the relays.

[Gerben42]

I prefer b) by a lot if given the choice.

[Zelandakh]

You have not told us what hands you put in the relay so it is difficult to answer this. I would certainly go with b over a but whether c is in the running probably depends on how specific your X would be.

[benlessard]

we relay most hands

1D-1S show 5 & isnt forcing
1D--1nt show 6 clubs
1D-2C crappy D raise can be 3 card and even have 4M
1D-2D good raise can be 3 card and have 4M.
1D-2M = 6 cards 5-8

[Zelandakh]

If your relay is this loaded then it does not sound like it would be a winner in competition so I will vote for scheme b too.

[straube]

Of these choices, I like standard the best. After 1D (1H) there's a high likelihood of partner having four or more spades just as after P P there is a high likelihood of him having a good hand. I think it's useful to split his hand between four and five+ and the split is probably something like 60/40. Since 1D is natural, partner (with a minimum) is likely to be able to compete with 1N or 2D. 1N as natural with a stopper is useful because it rightsides notrump...and opener can often raise to game since 1D is so wide-ranging. The other thing about dbl as 4 only spades is that you can use the 1S rebid as something other than 3 spades.

[rbforster]

Scheme 2 seems pretty good.

What about Pass = weak balanced OR game forcing relay? Unbalanced weaker hands would make a direct bid to show their suit, likely NF. Since opener is unbalanced with diamonds, it seems pretty unlikely the auction would die at 1♥ anyway. You'd need to reorganize your relay responses to be semi-natural (so the weak hands can pass), and only use high responses for showing opener's hands with extra strength and/or shape.

1D - (1H) - ?:

P weak balanced or GF relay
X takeout
1S 5+ NF
1N inv balanced
2C 5+ NF
2D 3+ NF

and then after

1D - (1H) - P* - (P):

X extra values, no extra shape
...P always an option with the right strong hand
...1S GF relay
...1N-2D some scrambling scheme to sign off in openers' suit(s)
1S min natural
1N extra values and extra shape
2C min natural
2D min natural
2H+ various shapely hands without extra strength

First step relays after opener's rebid, pass or other bids are preferences with the weak hand (to play).

[straube]

I really don't see the value of 1S as 5+ nf. If you want to try to stop on a dime (and I'm not recommending this), you could use dbl as 5+ spades and 1S as 4 only spades; of course this means that after double, opener's 1S rebid will be to play and not showing some other feature.

[benlessard]

In competition I agree that 1S NF seems problematic, however in uncontested auction the 1S NF is at least as good as 1S forcing IMO. The strenght of 1S NF is that it allow responder to make delayed 2 card raises. It also allow to bid 1S a bit lighter than in standard.

2263 vs 5314 It would go

1D-1S
2C(6D)--2D (could be up to 10 pts with a stiff D)
2S (2 cards support and 15-18 pts)

With a minimum hand and 2 card support we just pass 1S. Often x vs KQxxx lead to ugly 2Nt/3Nt and when you have a doubleton 2S rate to be better than 2NT. Note that relaying and bidding 2S/2Nt is a relay break showing near solid spades so for us I believe most GF hands do better with a 1H start than a 1S start, so in the end using 1S as NF seems good. Ive seen a very good pair playing 1H--1S as not forcing (they bid 2C as art GF) Ive asked if they like it they told me it worked well for them.

[straube]

Do they play Flannery? This 1H-1S nf doesn't seem right to me. We relay (2C) with GF and only four spades but respond 1S with four spades or a GF hand with 5 spades. This helps find super-fits faster in competition.

I can see how they respond with hands they might otherwise pass, but they're removing opener from a playable (1H) contract to do so. And then it seems like opener would only want to pass with a minimum hand and two spades. Just low frequency/low win imo to want a 1S response to be nf.

[Zelandakh]

FWiiW I play a 1♠ response to an unbalanced 1♦ opening as 4+ and non-forcing which is not a million miles away, especially as it includes possible canape. Forcing hands with spades can go through the relay.