likely.

And third, no matter what the outlook

MOSCITO 2005 for 3], the opponents still have to figure out
what to do. They don’t know with any
By Paul Marston certainty whether you are in a good spot or
not. All they have to go on is their own
pm@grandslam.com.au
thirteen cards. They might pass when they
Note: This is the first draft of the booklet. should bid or bid when they should pass.
2nd draft is scheduled for September and the Bidding to your trump length remains an
book itself will be published by the end of the excellent tactical ploy. So what about the
year. Lawrence-Wirgren approach?
Any comments will be welcome. It is useful when you are presented with the
pm, July 05 last guess. When making the last guess 50%
accuracy is not good enough because now it is
Introduction most unlikely that the opponents will save you
when you guess wrong. But when you are
In search of the perfect bidding system faced with the last guess you will usually have
What do you want from a bidding system? a good idea about the short suits allowing you
You want to bid your partscores, games and to make good use of the added accuracy of the
slams but that is not all. You also want to make Lawrence-Wirgren approach.
life hard for the opponents. For example, with the hand above, if the
First, you want to give them as little bidding had gone:
information as possible to hinder their declarer South West North East
play and defence. Second, you want to take as 1[([) Dbl 3[ ?
much bidding space as you can. Bidding space You expect to have nine spades so the law
is like a jar of cookies – the more you take for might suggest you bid for nine tricks but here
yourself, the less that is left for them. Without there is nothing tactical about your decision –
room to exchange information, they have to it is simply a question of which side can make
guess. what. With their fit in hearts, you have no
So how should the system look? reason to expect that the partnership has
Since most business is done in the majors, it working shortages so you should pass and
makes sense to look first at your major suit hope that you can beat 3[.
holdings. While showing the major suits on the most
When you know about partner’s major suit common hands is your first priority, you
length you can directly bid to the right level, cannot afford to ignore the question of honour
using the degree of fit as a guide. Yes, I know strength completely. When faced with
that Lawrence and Wirgren tell us that the law ordinary decisions about game and slam you
of total tricks is wrong about half the time and will need to know about the honour strength.
that shortages are the key. But our aim is to The Moscito system presented here is our best
take a position before the opponents can get effort to meet these design objectives.
together. With the opponents still on the While I believe the system succeeds to a large
sidelines, 50% accuracy is just fine. We have no extent, being far ahead of standard and other
interest in going slowly so that we can modern systems, I make no grand claims
discover our shortages and improve the beyond that. Most of the system is well tested
accuracy because that would also allow the but not all. While I have no doubt that the semi
opponents back into the game. positive concept is correct, the way we go
For example: about it still needs to be proven in battle. No
West North East East’s hand matter how good an idea seems, it is only
1[(]) pass ? ]K7643 results from the table that prove its worth. In
[76 early relay structures we allowed for eight
}J76 card suits but after a few years we noted that
{J43 they had never come up so we moved on.
Bid 3]. It may be true that if partner has Systems and styles also need to change with
similar shape you are not going to go too well the market place. For example, following the
but you still have a lot going for you. First, advent of the law of total tricks, players have
partner with a two-suiter might bid and make become more willing to pass doubles of
game. Second, partner might have enough preempts without good trumps. As a
shape to make 3] a good contract. It’s quite consequence, you shouldn’t be quite as gay

1
with your preempts as you might have been 15 With four of a major and five of a minor, open
years ago. in the major but with four of a major and six of
Another point I would make is that Moscito is a minor, open in the six card suit. For a long
a simple system. While it would take hundreds time we opened 4-6 hands in the four card
of pages to fully describe most systems, major but this leads to problems. When
Moscito is fully described here in just 12 pages. partner raises your major to the two level you
The reason is that most of the bids on ordinary are usually in the wrong contract. If you then
hands are natural and, unlike traditional correct to the minor you will often be too high
systems, all the strong hands are developed in because the known 4-3 fit on the side is a
the same way. liability. Also, if the bidding gets competitive
The design of Moscito has also been influenced the lack of certainty about major suit length
by regulations and attitudes to system. can be an issue. For example:
Unfortunately, it is the view of the ACBL and West North East South
all that she influences that bridge players 1} 1] 2} 3]
should be protected from any bid that does not 4{
appear in the great American songbook. (See If West may be 4-6, you don’t know much
the unfortunate reshaping of the game, for more about West’s heart length. But with 4-6
more discussion on this point.) ruled out, as it is our way, you know that West
must be 5-5 plus.
The Moscito structure
All hands with 15+ HCP are opened 1{. With 1.3 Opening with a balanced hand
a hand of value that has less HCP, say 9-14 The 1NT opening is 11-14 HCP with no five
HCP, you can open and say something about card major. The trouble with opening a weak
your major suit holdings at the same time. notrump with a five card major is that when
These are the limited openings. you buy a worthless dummy you will usually
do better in the major.
1. Limited openings The 1NT may contain a four card major but in
1} = four plus hearts that case it will be 11 or 12 HCP. With a
1[ = four plus spades balanced 13-14 HCP, open in the major. By not
1] = six plus diamonds or a minor two suiter opening in the major with a balanced 11-12
1NT = 11-14 HCP, no 5-card major HCP, you ensure that your major suit
2{ = six plus clubs, not diamonds openings always have teeth.
48% of the hands are opened with a limited In general, we pass with 4333 shape and 11
opener. HCP.
Finally, with 10-12 HCP and 5 (major) -3-3-2
1.1 Strength for limited openings shape we open two of the major. More about
In essence the limited openings are 9-14 HCP that later.
but you need to exercise judgement. As a
guide, use the rule of 19 with a 5-card major 2. Responding to limited openings
and the rule of 20 with no 5-card major. In
marginal cases, go by the queen points (QPs) 2.1 The step bid is artificial and shows strength
A=3, K=2, Q=1. A limited opening will and other responses are consequently limited.
normally have 6 to 8 QPs. The step shows invitational strength and a
balanced hand or any game-going hand. Your
1.2 What shapes go where next bid shows what type of hand you have.
In other systems you can pick and choose your • Bidding the step again is artificial and
opening according to strength of suit. In forcing to game. In reply, the opener
Moscito in first and second position your shows his shape in relay fashion.
choice of opening is pretty much determined • Two of partner’s major or 2NT (not step
by your shape. The reason is that responder bids) are natural and invitational.
may relay for your distribution and all hand • A new suit is natural and game forcing.
patterns are associated with particular opening
bids. 2.2 Two level responses to 1} and 1[
Always open in a five card major (1[ with In response to 1} and 1[, two of a suit is
both). natural and forcing for one round. It needs to
With 4-4 in the majors, open 1}. be forcing to allow the responder to describe a
second suit or show belated support for the

2
major. The point count is about 8-11 HCP but A 2NT rebid by the opener shows a good 2-
it is more about intention. In essence, suiter with at least five in the major and a 4-
responder is saying if I buy the right hand card minor.
opposite there could be a game here. With a West’s hand West East
good suit and less strength, the responder ]AQJ876 1[ 2}
makes a weak jump response. [Q2 ?
Opener’s weakest rebid is two of his major. }5
This will a minimum hand with either a six {KJ43
card suit or a five card suit with a four card Bid 2NT. Showing five spades and four clubs.
minor and shortage in partner’s suit. The only time the minor is not clear is when
West’s hand West East the bidding starts 1[:2[.
]Q8652 1[ 2[ A 3NT rebid by the opener is natural,
[2 ? suggesting 13-14 HCP and a balanced hand.
}AK65 A single raise of responder’s suit will always
{J98 be based on a useful hand. If it is minimum in
Bid 2]. This shows that you have five spades points it will have shape on the side.
and wish you hadn’t opened. Apart from opener’s jump shift (splinter) and
Three of a minor shows a five card suit. You the 2NT rebid by opener, everything is natural
could be 5-5 plus or exactly 4-5. In the latter in these two over one auctions. This includes
case, you will have 11–14 HCP since the rule of fourth suit:
20 applies. West’s hand West East
West’s hand West East ]AJ876 1[ 2}
]2 1} 2} [KJ82 2[ 3{
[AKJ82 ? }3 ?
}65 {Q43
{AJ982 Pass. Partner doesn’t like our majors; we are
Bid 3{. This shows a promising hand with five okay with clubs. No reason to think that game
clubs. is on.
A jump shift by the opener is a splinter. Examples of two over one
West’s hand West East West East East’s hand
]AJ872 1[ 2} 1} 2{ ]QJ653
[2 ? 2} 2] [6
}KJ65 }2
{K82 {AQ8743
Bid 3[. This pretty much shows your hand so
3] or 4} by responder now is not forcing and West East East’s hand
you would pass such a call with this hand. 1[ 2} ]K53
Thus, a double jump of responder’s minor 2[ 2] [42
suggests 6-4. }AJ876
West’s hand West East {Q93
]KQ10976 1[ 2{
[2 ? West East East’s hand
}65 1[ 2{ ]6
{AJ82 2[ 3{ [Q5
Bid 4{. The singleton heart is not the issue. }Q92
You want to show a fine major and primary {AQJ9843
support for partner’s minor. The jump raise
does this. West East East’s hand
A double jump shift is natural. 1[ 2{ ]53
West’s hand West East 2} 2NT [QJ86
]AQJ876 1[ 2} }76
[KQJ82 ? {AKJ98
}--
{65 2.3 1}/[: 1NT and 1}:1]
Bid 4[. This is natural being a double jump The auction, 1}:1] is 4+ spades and 6 – 12
shift. HCP.

3
The 1NT response to 1} or 1[ is simply 6-10 Bid 2{. If West bids 2} showing no fit with
HCP and no fit. hearts you can bid 3{, which is pass or correct
for West’s longer minor.
With interest in game, responder can continue
with 2NT. In reply, opener bids:
2.4 Other responses to 1} and 1[ 3{/} = long suit and minimum
2NT shows a limit raise to three of the major 3 of the major = three cards in the major but
based on four trumps. minimum
3NT shows a game raise of the major based on 3 of the other major = long clubs maximum,
a balanced hand of about 12-15 HCP. not three cards in the major
Over both of these responses a new suit by the 3NT = long diamonds maximum, not three
opener is a shortage. cards in the major
The raise of the major to three is based on four 4 major = three cards in the major maximum
card support and about 6-9 HCP. West East East’s hand
1] 2} ]KJ653
2.5 Limited responses to 1] 2] ? [K65
The attraction of the 1] opening is that it takes }Q2
so much space away from the opponents. The {Q65
drawback of the 1] opening is that it takes so Bid 2NT. You don’t want to play game unless
much space away from you! partner has a maximum. West’s next bid will
So the cheapest responses show the majors – basically decide the contract.
like this:
1NT = the step bid. All strong hands go 2.6 Limited responses to 2{
through here. 2} is the step. 2NT is an invitation to game.
2{ = 5+[ The opener rebids 3{ with a minimum and a
2} = 5+] short suit or 3NT with a maximum. Change of
2[ = 5+{ suit responses are not forcing.
2] = limit raise in either minor (at least 3-3 in
the minors). Then 3{/} are to play. 2NT 2.7 Responding to 2[ or 2]
shows clubs and a maximum and 3[/] shows 2NT asks for the doubleton and begins a relay.
a shortage with diamonds and a maximum. All other bids are non-forcing and promise
2NT = limit raise in diamonds (at least 4 nothing.
diamonds) West East East’s hand
3{ = pass or correct 2] ? ]53
3} = to play [65
}KQ876
Note there is no way to directly get out to {9865
partner’s minor at the two level but in practice Bid 3} and see what happens. It’s not easy for
such a takeout is unnecessary. them because it is dangerous to come in.
West East East’s hand
1] ? ]J87 3 When responder bids the step
[9843 The opener’s rebid is basically natural though
}K72 1NT is an exception.
{J65 1}:1[
Bid 3{. You are sure to reach an eight card fit, 1] = spades (not necessarily 2-suited)
at least, in one of the minors. You will also 1NT = balanced, three suited with short spades
reduce the opponent’s bidding to guess work or four hearts and five diamonds.
and even the best sometimes guess wrong. 2{ = clubs, may be 4-5
2{/} promise no great strength. In reply, 2} = five hearts and four diamonds
opener accepts the transfer with Hx or better 2[ = six or seven hearts, no other suit, and
and bids the step with less, or bids a good six minimum
card minor. 2] and up = six or seven hearts, no other suit,
West East East’s hand and maximum (see one suited resolution).
1] ? ]87
[AQ843 1[:1]
}972 1NT = balanced, three suited with short hearts
{J65 or four spades and five diamonds.

4
2{ = clubs, maybe 4-5 can now continue to bid the step to find out
2} = five+ spades and four+ diamonds the exact shape.
2[ = five+ spades and four+ hearts The reason that the complete Moscito system
2] = six or seven spades, no other suit, and can be described in so few pages is that all
minimum strong hands are developed using the same
2NT and up = six or seven spades, no other four routines as described in this section.
suit, and maximum (see one suited resolution). These routines are the essence of symmetric
relay.
1]:1NT
2{ = 5-4 in the minors 4.1 One suited resolution
2} = six diamonds, no other suit, and After you have shown a one suiter, you next
minimum identify any short suit then you show the exact
2[ = six diamonds and four hearts pattern in numerical order, treating the hand
2] = six diamonds and four spades pattern as a four digit number.
2NT and up = six diamonds, no other suit, and Step 1 = no singleton or void (6322 or 7222)
maximum (see one suited resolution). Step 2 = shortage in the highest ranking side
suit
2{:2} Step 3 = shortage in the middle ranked side
2[ = six clubs and four hearts suit
2] = six clubs and four spades Step 4 = 6331
2NT and up = six clubs, no other suit (see one Step 5 = 7321
suited resolution) Step 6 = 7330
After opener bids steps 2 or 3, you can relay
In all but two cases the opener’s rebid shows for the precise shape in the same vein.
the exact hand type. That is, one, two, three After opener bids step 1, you can relay for
suited or balanced. The exceptions are after the opener’s exact shape, which is once again done
rebids of 1] and 1NT. In these cases, the in numerical order.…
opener could still be 2 or 3 suited or balanced. 6223
After 1}:1[, 1], 1NT asks again. The opener 6232
bids: 6322
2{ = clubs 7222
2} = diamonds
2[ = 4432 or 4423 4.2 Two suited resolution
2] = 5] and 6[ Once you have shown a two suiter, you must
2NT and up is four spades and five hearts (see next clarify whether both suits are at least five
two suited resolution) cards, if not, which suit is longer then any
short suit followed by the exact pattern. Once
After 1}:1[, 1NT, 2{ asks. Opener bids: again, this is done in numerical order.
2} = five diamonds, four hearts Step 1 = lower ranking suit is longer
2[ = balanced with four hearts Step 2 = 5-5 at least
2] = 5332 Step 3 = shortage in the higher ranking suit
2NT = 3-suited short spades Step 4 = 5422
Step 5 = 5431
After 1[:1], 1NT, 2{ asks. Opener bids: Step 6 = 6421
2} = five diamonds, four spades Step 7 = 6430
2[ = balanced with 4], not 4[ Step 8 = 7411
2] = 5332 Step 9 = 7420
2NT = 3-suited short hearts Often you would already know which suit is
3{ = 5404 longer. You might also be able to rule out 5-5
3} = 5440 shape. In these cases you simply drop the first
one or two steps from the resolution. For
4. Relaying out the shape example, after 1[:1], 2}:2[ you would skip
After you bid the step and the opener rebids, step one.
you know whether he is one, two, three suited
or balanced; admittedly it took a second step 4.3 Three suited resolution
from you when the rebid was 1] or 1NT. You When you come to resolve the three suiters,
you know the short suit – it only remains to

5
show the exact pattern, which is once again tricks. Instead of thinking about fit you start
done in numerical order. counting controls. It also helps to know that
1}:1[, 1]:1NT, 2{:2}… partner’s seven card suit is not solid, which
2[ = 4414 you do when he doesn’t respond 3{.
2] = 4405 It is no loss to be unable to respond at the three
2NT = 4504 level or higher with a preempt – it makes no
Similarly after 1}:1[, 1]:1NT, 2}:2[. sense to grab all the bidding space with a weak
hand when your partner has a random 15+
1}:1[, 1NT:2{, 2NT:3{… HCP.
3} = 1444 Indeed, the semi positive responses are set up
3[ = 0445 the way they are to ensure that responder gets
3] = 0454 in opener’s way as little as possible.
3N = 0544 Here is the full scheme:
Similarly after 1[:1], 1NT:2{, 2NT:3{. 1} = any positive apart from those from 2NT
up.
4.4 Resolving the balanced hands 1[ = 6-9 HCP. Either balanced or unbalanced
First identify the suits then show the pattern in without a five card major.
numerical order. 1] = 0-5 HCP any shape
1}:1[, 1]:1NT, 2[:2]… 1NT = 6-9 HCP, six diamonds, five hearts and
2NT = 4423 a minor, or five of a major 4-4
3{ = 4432 2{ = 6-9 HCP, six hearts, or five spades and a
minor
1}:1[, 1NT:2{, 2}:2[… 2} = 6-9 HCP, five spades and four hearts
2] = 4[ and 4{ 2[ = 6-9 HCP, exactly four spades, and five
2NT = 2443 plus hearts
3{ = 3442 2] = 6-9 HCP with six spades
3} = 3433 2NT = 9+ HCP 5440 with a major suit void
Similarly after 1[:1], 1NT:2{, 2}:2]. 3{ = a solid 7 or 8 card suit
The 4333 shape is put at the end instead of in 3} = 9+ HCP 5440 with a void diamond
strict numerical order because it is generally 3[ = 9+ HCP with 4450
the worst news. 3] = 9+ HCP with 4540
3NT = 9+ HCP with 5440
5. 1{ auctions
The responses of 1[, 1NT, 2{, 2}, 2[ and 2] 5.1 1{ - 1} auctions
are used to show the shape of semi positive With 12+ QPs (about 18+ HCP), opener bids
strength hands, that is about 6-9 HCP. 1[ to find out responder’s shape. With 9-11
This is not the usual way – other strong club QPs (about 15-17 HCP), opener uses the bids
systems respond 1[ up with game going from 1] up to show his shape.
hands and 1} with the rest. This approach is 1] = two suits without spades or a minor one
clearly wrong. About 19% of responding suiter
hands are junk, 45% are semi positives and the 1NT = balanced or 4441
remaining 36% are positives. Besides this, the 2{ = clubs and spades or just spades
semi positive hands are the ones that are most 2} = diamonds and spades
likely to be contested. 2[ = hearts
The 1} negative says nothing about semi 2] up is both majors, using the normal two
positives - it doesn’t even distinguish between suited resolution. So 2] is second suit ([)
semi positive and junk. longer, 2NT is 55, 3{ is high shortage etc.
You might be thinking, if the semi positive
approach is so superior how come no one is That the 1{ opener can choose whether to ask
using it? I think the reason is that it takes quite or show (a by-product of the 1} positive) gives
a bit of work and understanding to get it all the system a significant advantage. It allows
going and there is no body of experience or auctions to often be cut very short, minimising
literature to help you. the information that is conveyed to the
The responses of 2NT to 3NT show 5440 opponents.
shapes apart from 3{, which shows a solid West’s hand West East East’s hand
seven or eight card suit. It is important to ]J43 1{ 1} ]752
know when you have such a great source of [KQJ765 2[ 4[ [A92

6
}KQ }J876 2[ = relay
{A6 {KQ3 2] = to play
West has shown six hearts and 15-17 HCP so 2NT/3{/} = natural, not forcing
East goes straight to game. A more scientific
auction might help the opponents to find their 5.2.5 1{:2[…
four top tricks. 2] = preference
2NT = relay (the only time the step is not
5.1.1 After opener rebids 1], 1NT relays and relay)
the continuations are as above. That is… 3{/} = natural, not forcing
2{ = clubs and hearts or clubs
2} = diamonds and hearts 5.2.6 1{:2]…
2[ = diamonds 2NT = relay
2] and up is both minors. 3{/}/[ = natural, not forcing

Aide memoire: in relay after 1{, all one suited 5.3 Showing shape after a semi positive
hands stop on two hearts and all two suiters 5.3.1 1{:1[, 1]…
start at 2]. 1NT = balanced
2{ = five clubs
5.1.2 After opener rebids 1NT, 2{ relays. 2} = 5-4 in the minors
Opener bids… 2[ = four hearts exactly and five diamonds
2} = no major 2] = four spades exactly and five diamonds
2[ = balanced with four or five hearts 2NT = 0445 or 0454
2] = balanced with four spades 3{ = 4045 or 4054
2NT = 5 spades 332 3} = 4405
3{ = 4[ and 4] 32 3[ = 4450
3} = 1444
3[ = 4144 5.3.2 1{:1NT, 2{…
3] = 4414 2} = hearts and clubs
3NT = 4441 2[ = hearts and diamonds
2] = diamonds
After 1{:1}, 1[, responder shows shape using 2NT = 5404 or 4504
the exact same bids. 3{ = 5440 or 4540
3} = 0544
5.2 Opener’s rebid after a semi positive 3[ = 5044
5.2.1 1{:1[…
1] = relay (18+ HCP) 5.3.3 1{:2{, 2}…
1NT = 15-17 balanced 2[ = spades and clubs
2{ = five plus hearts 2] = hearts
2} = five plus spades 2NT and up is spades and diamonds
2[ = four hearts and a longer minor
2] = four spades and a longer minor The responses to 1{ of 2}/[/], show directly
2NT = both minors the responder’s hand type; they are resolved in
the normal way.
5.2.2 1{:1NT…
2{ = relay 6. After shape
2}/[ = pass or correct You will often have no ambition beyond game.
2] = natural, not forcing In that case, bid 3NT, which is to play, or 4},
2NT = hearts which is the end signal. That is, the partner
3{/} = natural, not forcing must bid 4[ and await the sign off. In the
course of the relay, you may even lose interest
5.2.3 1{:2{… in game. Tough luck – you cannot make a non
2} = relay forcing bid below game.
2[/] = pass or correct
2NT = spades 6.1 Queen point ask
3{/}/[ = natural, not forcing After shape, the step bid (not 3NT) asks for
QPs (A=3, K=2, Q=1). The QP bases are
5.2.4 1{:2}… approximately .6 of the HCPs. They are:

7
A limited opening = 6+ QPs With one or two honours, bypass the step and
A 1{ opening = 9+ QPs look at the next suit. With no honour or A, K,
A positive response to 1{ in first or second Q, bid the step plus one. With one or two
position = 6+ QPs honours in that suit, bypass the next step and
A semi positive response to 1{ in first or so on.
second position = 3-5 QPs An example might help:
After a 1{ opening in third or fourth position, West’s hand West East
deduct one QP from the base for the positive ]AK854 1[ 1]
and semi positive. [93 2} 2[
Also, deduct one QP from your base if you }Q983 3{ = 5242 3}
have ten cards in two suits and add one if you {K7 3NT = 8 QP 4{
have shown a maximum. 4NT = hons in ],},{ not [.
The first step shows you have the base QPs (or To spell it out, over 4{, 4} would deny an
occasionally less), step +1 = base +1 etc. Count honour (A, K, Q) in spades; 4[ would show an
nothing for singleton kings and queens. honour in spades but deny one in diamonds;
This is the most common way to continue after 4] would show in spades and diamonds but
shape because you get a snapshot of partner’s deny in clubs; 4NT shows in spades, diamonds
strength. There are 24 QPs in the deck. and clubs but denies in hearts.
Ordinary hands need a total of about 19 or 20 On the second pass, return to all the suits
QPs to be serious about slam. where you showed one or two honours. Stop if
you only have one honour and bypass the suit
West’s hand West East East 1 if you have two. At the end of the second pass,
]AJ6 1{ 1} ]KQ732 look at any singleton. Stop unless you have a
[AK5 1[ 1NT [Q4 bare K or Q. On the third pass, if it should go
}AQ82 2} 2NT }K54 that far, look for jacks in all non-singleton
{654 3{ 3} {J98 suits.
3[ 3] In each case, the step relays for more
? information. Any bid that is more than the step
East 2 East 3 is to play.
]KQ732 ]KQ7632
[Q4 [Q42 Exclusion Queen Points
}K54 }K54 When the asker has a singleton or void and is
{KJ9 {J not interested in the K or Q in the short suit –
West knows that the partnership has 18 QPs so this is generally the case when you are
6 QPs are missing. There is clearly no chance planning to play in a suit contract - exclusion
for slam so West should sign off. If East had QPs (EQPs) is the answer.
shown 8 QPs (East 2), West would have Step plus one to step plus four ask for QPs
soldiered on. excluding the K or Q in a particular suit.
To make slam with less than 19 QPs you need Exclude suits in length order and where equal
to have some shape working for you – either in ascending order. The QP base is minus one
long suits with nothing wasted in the off suits when a suit has been excluded.
or well placed shortages. For example, West East East’s hand
opposite East 3, West would be happy to bid 1} 1[ ]AK76
slam with just 18 QPs. The QP ask works best 2] 2NT [QJ5
when it is a relatively balanced hand that is 3{ ? }A9764
doing the asking. Here West can see that the {5
singleton club is well placed because he has West has shown 2623 shape and a maximum
nothing in clubs. East 3 would not be so well hand. Slam will be good if West has enough of
informed. [AK, }K and {A, not the {K,Q.
East continues:
Denial control bids West’s hand West East
Once you have found out partner’s QPs, the ]93 … 3]
next relay is to show where they are. Look at [AK9843 3NT 4[
the suits in length order; where the length is }Q3
equal, look in numerical order ({}[]). {KQ3
Bid the step to show that you have no honour West shows at most 6 QP, not including {K,Q,
in the suit you are looking at, or the A, K, Q. so East knows to sign off.

8
West East }85
]Q9654 ]-- {J984
[AK65 [82 You have no ambition beyond game but you
}A5 }KQJ984 don’t know which game. Opener could have a
{K2 {QJ103 five card major or 4441 shape. To investigate
1{ 1} further while revealing as little as possible to
3} 5422 3] the opposition, respond 2}. In reply, opener
4} 8 EQPs 4[ bids: 2[/]/NT/3{ = 4441 shape, 3} = at least
5[ 6} one four card major, 3[/] = five, and 3NT =
5[ shows two heart honours, one club and one no major.
diamond so West has either:
]?xxxx, [AKxx, }Ax, {Kx or The unfortunate reshaping of the game
]?xxxx, [AQxx, }Ax, {Ax As I mentioned in the introduction, the
Either way, slam is fine. administrators are reshaping the game by
Of course, West’s 5[ drove the bidding to slam deciding what methods you can use and when.
but West only responded this high because his Of course it makes sense to protect beginners
hand was so suitable. from bids they do not understand but nowhere
in the Laws does it suggest that experienced
Switching to natural players should have the same protection.
In relay before the shape is complete, any non Despite this, the ACBL shelters its experienced
step game bid is to play and any non step bid players from methods they do not play
below game switches the bidding to natural. themselves. For example, in 2003 an ACBL
For example: committee that included Chip Martel and Jeff
West East Meckstroth decided that you could not open
]AKJ43 ]Q9 1} to show hearts in the Reisinger. By any
[754 [92 measure, this was less about bridge and more
}AJ9 }K763 about hegemony.
{65 {AKQJ3 In a free world I would systematically open
1[ 1] with any hand that I judge to be worth an
1NT 2{ overcall. If overcalling good-looking hands of
2] 3{ modest HCP is a winning strategy then
3} 3] opening them will be an even more effective
4] pass strategy because you are in first.
It is clear to West that East has a problem with I would make my limited openers 8-12 HCP so
hearts. that I can open any hand of value and prevent
Once you have no interest in slam you will the likes of Meckwell from using their well-
often be wise to switch to natural. oiled system but the ACBL has rules to
West East prevent us from doing this. They let us
]A984 ]Q9 overcall on nothing but we can only open if we
[K54 [AQJ92 are within a king of normal.
}KQJ2 }A63 This is also the case in the WBF. Okay, they
{62 {873 occasionally let you play what you like (in
1[ 1] keeping with the laws of the game) but even
1NT 2{ then they burden you with so much
2[ 3[ bureaucracy and attitude that all but the
4[ pass strongest will buckle.
Switching to natural with 3[ is best. Another I am talking primarily about the categorisation
relay would needlessly reveal West’s hand. of systems and conventions by the ACBL and
the WBF. Allowing this system or convention
Knowing opener is in the 15-17 HCP range here but not there is the root of the problem. It
allows responder to cut short many auctions. has changed the essential nature of the game.
In fact, it is only when slam is in the air that Now the game is about how well you do using
relay is usually employed. the approved methods. Gone are the days
One other special situation: when bridge was a no-holds-barred contest,
West East East’s hand and, I might add, when it was popular.
1{ 1} ]K875 Some people argue that you have to keep the
1NT ? [AQ3 game simple so the general public can

9
understand. Not true. Right now the game is I developed a relay system that I played with
coloured green and the public couldn’t give a Malcolm Sims in the New Zealand team in the
damn. late 70s. Around this time I approached Roy
The WBF and the ACBL would say that they Kerr about solving the relay problem. He put
are protecting the players. They would say it is his considerable weight into the project and
unfair to confront players with unfamiliar came up with symmetric relay, which remains
methods in, say, a pairs event, where they may the engine of our relay approach.
not have time to prepare their defence. Around 1980 Sims and I adopted a forcing
This may be the case if you adopt the Chinese pass style.
Menu approach to defensive methods. That is, From 1981 until 1984 I played forcing pass
list every possible combination in detail. But with Stephen Burgess and from 1985 to 1990
this is a very silly way to tackle the problem. we played Moscito. This was a variation on
Instead the partnership should have a set of forcing pass, designed to minimise the hassle
generic agreements that will allow them to from administrators.
face anything with little or no discussion. In the 15 years that have followed, the system
If the WBF and the ACBL freed up the market, has gone through radical change and many
those weighty Chinese Menus would soon people have made contributions. They include
disappear. The bridge community is very Richard Willey, Bob Richman and Matthew
clever and its theoreticians would soon work Thomson.
out effective generic agreements.
The real point is that bridge players do not To come
need protection from bids. The last thing they Putting it all together
need is for administrators to decide what bids In competition
they can and can’t use in what events! All they Defending against 1}/[/]
really need is proper disclosure. Of course, this
is a real problem in itself but that is not a
reason to outlaw the methods.
Making whatever bid you like and ensuring
that it is fully explained is the very essence of
our game.
If you don’t want to play bridge like this, you
don’t belong in open competition.
One day a leader with vision and courage will
come along and he or she will tear down all
this senseless red tape. No more mid chart, no
more brown sticker, no more green systems,
no more HUM systems, etc – just bridge. The
game will flourish and we will remember
these red tape days in much the same way that
we remember Communism.
Maybe that’s a bit tongue in cheek but I long
for the time when we can try to solve the
bridge puzzle with only the laws of the game
to concern us.
Sadly, I am not holding my breath. Right now
there is little resistance to the WBF/ ACBL
line. This is because most players are happy to
choose their methods from the official list. The
mood will only change when a high profile
body of players decides to strive for something
better.

System genesis
My interest in relay was triggered by the
success of a relay system in the bidding
challenge in the Bridge World Magazine in the
mid 70s.

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