Flannery + Kaplan Inversion combined with relay

[Kungsgeten]

Here's a little something I thought of: combining Kaplan Inversion with a GF relay, when also playing a Flannery opening. I think this would work best in a system with limited openings. Undisturbed I think it has merit, but if the opponents interfere things might be a bit more awkward (like when playing MOSCITO and playing that the relay could be both strong or weak). My idea of the method is to combine it with 2/1 GF where responder can choose to enter relay bidding or natural bidding. I guess you could also use transfers from 1NT or play 2/1 as non-forcing.

 

1H---

1S = Forcing NT / GF relay

1N = 5+ spades, F1

2CD = 5+ minor, GF

2H+ = Whatever you usually play

 

1H--1S;

1N = 3+ diamonds

2C = 4+ clubs or 3-5-2-3

2D = Extras with 6+ hearts

2H = Min with 6+ hearts

2S = 5-6 majors

 

Over 1N and 2C responder may take preference or relay (or bid something else as in standard forcing NT). Over 2D and 2H you use 2S as the relay. An idea is that opener can also show min/max (when holding a single-suiter or a short-legged two-suiter) at an early level:

 

1H--1S; 1N--2C;

2D = 0-5-4-4 (other three-suiters are opened with Flannery)

2H = 5332

2S = 5-4 min

2N = 5-5

3C+ = 5-4 max

 

Same principle over 1H--1S; 2C--2D;

 

1H--1S; 2D/2H--2S;

2N = High shortness

3C = Middle shortness

3D = Equal shortness

etc.

 

I guess you could play it without using a Flannery opening but you would have some problems with 4-5-(40) patterns and would need 2D or 2H to show 4 spades (using 2NT as the relay probably).

[straube]

Good idea. How about...

 

1H--1S; 1N--2C;

2D = 5-4 min

2H = 5332

2S = 5-4 max

2N = 5-5

3C-0-5-4-4 min (other three-suiters are opened with Flannery)

etc-0-5-4-4 max

[Zelandakh]

You could also drop Flannery and add Gazzilli instead as we have previously discussed. Then 1♥ - 1NT = GF, 4+♠ and 1♥ - 1♠ = any <GF (F1NT). After 1♠ a 1NT rebid shows diamonds or a strong hand and the 2♦ rebid is now available to show a minimum with spades, that is a Flannery hand. This spade-diamond inversion is the trick that allows precisely the same Gazzilli structure to be used after a 1♥ opening as with a 1♠ opening, thus saving a few brain cells.

 

I think that the above is better for simplicity (natural-ish) while both 1♠ art INV+ and 2♣ art GF are probably better for relays. An interesting idea would be 1♠ as a F1NT and 1NT as a GF relay, with 2m responses non-forcing; but I have no experience with that to know if it could be made to work.

[Kungsgeten]

Good idea. How about...

 

1H--1S; 1N--2C;

2D = 5-4 min

2H = 5332

2S = 5-4 max

2N = 5-5

3C-0-5-4-4 min (other three-suiters are opened with Flannery)

etc-0-5-4-4 max

 

Yes something like this is probably better but lacks somewhat in symmetry (5-4 and min resolves two steps lower). The suggested structure was so that opener rebids the same over 1H--1S; 1N--2C; (with the exception of 0-5-4-4) as over 1H--1S; 2C--2D. Resolving 0-5-4-4 at 2D is a waste of space but makes it easier (I think) to remember and bid somewhat rapidly :)

[Kungsgeten]

An interesting idea would be 1♠ as a F1NT and 1NT as a GF relay, with 2m responses non-forcing; but I have no experience with that to know if it could be made to work.

 

Auken-Welland play 1NT as GF relay and 1♠ as F1NT. Their 2m is artificial however (2C shows spades and 2D is a raise).

[MickyB]

The basic idea is good, arguably you are underusing 1H:1S, 1N though.

 

You could so something like -

 

1N = diamonds; or extras with hearts

- 2C = weak or GF

--- 2D = diamonds

----- 2S = GF relay

--- 2H = hearts

----- 2S = GF relay

- 2D = good preference for diamonds

- 2H = good preference for hearts

 

2C = natural

2D = spades

2H = natural, limited

 

There are better ways of doing it than the above - spade hands are pretty messy, that's easily fixed - but it demonstrates the basic idea. No need for Flannery and can be played with wide-ranging openings, indeed it makes opening light pretty playable.

 

Obviously the trade-off is that you have less space for your relays.