[straube]

I've had the idea that if openings were arranged with relays in mind (i.e. partner can find out opener's pattern before 3N) that not only relays, but other constructive auctions would benefit. We chose our 2m openings with that in mind and I thought I'd share how this is working out. I've posted the 2C opening before and had a lot of help with the continuations (credit Zelandakh in particular), but the 2D opening uses the same idea and is even simpler...

The 2D opening, showing 10-15 and 6 or 7 diamonds, up to 4 clubs, but no 4+ major

2H-GF ask OR GI 5 spades OR constructive 6+ spades
.....2S-0-1 spades
..........P-constructive with 6+ spades
..........2N-GF relay
...............3C-4 clubs
....................3D-relay
.........................3H-1264
.........................3S-0364
.........................3N-0274
.........................4C-1174
...............3D-1336
...............3H-1237
...............3S-1327
...............3N-0337
..........3C-artificial GI with 5 spades
...............3D-minimum
..........3D-constructive, fit
..........3H-GI, 5S/5H
..........3S-GI, long spades
.....2N-2 spades
..........3C-GF relay
...............3D-bal
....................3H-relay
.........................3S-2263
.........................3N-2363
.........................4C-2272
...............3H-4 clubs
....................3S-relay
.........................3N-2164
.........................4C-2074
...............3S-1273
...............3N-3271
..........3D-constructive, invitational
..........3H-GI, 5S/5H
..........3S-constructive, 6 spades
.....3C-3 spades, higher short
..........3D-GF relay
...............3H-3163
...............3S-3172
...............3N-3370
..........3H-game try spades
..........3S-constructive, 5+ spades
.....3D-3 spades, lower short
..........3H-GF relay
...............3S-3361
...............3N-3271
...............4C-3370
.....3H-3064
.....3S-3262 (11-13)

2S-GI, hearts
.....2N-short hearts
..........3C-artificial GT
.....3C-minimum, 2 hearts
.....3D-maximum, 2 hearts
.....3H-minimum, 3 hearts

2N-diamond fit, constructive or invitational
.....3C-game try

3C-GI, no diamond fit or major, hence clubs

3D-bump

3H-FSJ

3S-FSJ


Now for the 2C opening which is more complicated but uses the same ideas. As with the 2D opening, it is easy to show a constructive hand with 5S and tolerance for opener's minor, but not possible to show this when holding only 5H and tolerance.

2D-GF relay or constructive+ hearts
.....2H-0-1 hearts
..........2S-GF relay
...............2N-4D
....................3C-relay
..........................3D-1246
..........................3H-0346
..........................3S-0247
..........................3N-1147
...............3C-single-suited
..........................3D-relay
...............................3H-3136
...............................3S-2137
...............................3N-3127
...............................4C-3037
...............3D-4216
...............3H-4306
...............3S-4207
...............3N-4117
..........2N-GI
..........3C-constructive
..........3D-5H/5D, GI
..........3H-GI
.....2S-2 hearts
..........2N-GF relay
...............3C-balanced
....................3D-relay
.........................3H-2236
.........................3S-3226
.........................3N-2227
...............3D-4 diamonds
....................3H-relay
.........................3S-1246
.........................3N-0247
...............3H-7 clubs, other
....................3S-relay
.........................3N-1237
.........................4C-3217
...............3S-4216
...............3N-4207
..........3C-constructive or GI
..........3D-5H/5D, GI
..........3H-constructive
.....2N-3 hearts, higher
..........3C-GF relay
...............3D-1336
...............3H-1327
...............3S-3307
..........3D-game try hearts
..........3H-constructive
.....3C-3 hearts, lower
..........3D-GF relay
...............3H-3316
...............3S-2317
...............3N-3307
..........3H-constructive
.....3D-0346
.....3H-2326 (11-13)
.....3S-3046

2H-5+ spades
.....2S-0-1 spades
..........P-constructive, 6+ spades
..........2N-artificial GI
..........3C-constructive
..........3D-5S/5D, GI
..........3H-5S/5H, GI
..........3S-GI
.....2N-2 spades, minimum
.....3C-2 spades, maximum
.....3D-3 spades, minimum
.....3H-3 spades, maximum
.....3S-4 spades, minimum

2S-club fit, constructive or GI (could have GI 5 hearts but not GI 5 spades)
.....2N-artificial GT
..........3H-3 hearts
...............4 spades
..........3S-4 spades
.....3C-sign off
.....etc

2N-GI, no club fit (could have GI 5 hearts but not GI 5 spades)
.....natural bidding

3C-bump

3D-GI, natural

3H-FSJ

3S-FSJ