Inverted Minors - Relays

Inverted minors apply only as non passed hands and not in competition. If we have 5 of partners minor and a game forcing hand we suppress a 4 card major in favour of an inverted minor bid. If limit raise values , we will respond a 4 card major. Inverted minors are fit showing bids limit raise or better .

Inverted minors also include all balanced NT hands of game going strength. Rather than playing a jump to 2NT or pre-empting partner by bidding 3NT or making a shaky 2/1 in a 3 or 4 card suit , we bid an inverted minor with balanced hands. In addition , if the hand is NT suitable with queens & jacks and tenaces to protect , we will bypass a 4 card major in favour of an inverted minor bid.

How do we sort this out ? A simple relay does the trick . An inverted minor becomes a relay. A 2 inverted minor becomes a relay to 2. A 2 inverted minor becomes a relay to 2. Balanced hands are shown by bidding 2NT , as the opener is forced to take the relay 99 % of the time. In order to keep the inverted minor as limit raise or better , we work these hands into the structure .The jump raises will remain as pre-emptive ..

Besides handling the NT hands very well , this inverted minor treatment has an unexpected benefit. It allows the partnership to differentiate between an inverted minor with 4 trump as opposed to 5 or more. The relay allows some sequences to check back for majors , stiffs and minimums. An excellent way to handle the minors & flat hands !!

Adding structure to inverted minors , assist minor suit auctions where IMPS can be picked up in bushels.

1-P-2*-P * relay 2-P-2 limit raise in clubs

• 3 ends auction.
• 2 is forcing and asking for more info.
  • 2NT is minimum with bad clubs
  • 3 minimum with good clubs
• 2NT is invitational to 3NT
  • Pass is minimum with bad clubs
  • 3 is minimum with good clubs
• 2 inverted club raise GF with 5 or more clubs
  • 2NT natural 3 cards ( min )
  • 3 waiting ( 4 or more clubs)
  • 3 asks for stiff ( step responses )
  • 3/3 natural
  • 3NT 4 clubs or more no 4 card major , minimum
  • 4 KCB
• 2NT game forcing and may have a 4 card major
  • 3 constructive
  • 3/ natural
  • 3 Stayman
• 3 inverted club raise GF with 4 clubs
  • 3// are natural
  • 3NT to play
  • 4 KCB
• 3 clubs & diamonds 5-4 or 5-5 game force
• 3NT 15-17 doubleton club

1-P-2*-P * relay 2-P-

• 2 inverted diamond raise GF with 5 or more
  • 2NT natural 3 diamonds (min )
  • 3 asks for stiff ( step responses)
  • 3 waiting , 4 or more diamonds
  • 3/ natural
  • 3NT 4 diamonds or more no 4 card major , minimum
  • 4 KCB

• 2NT game forcing and may have 4 card major. Opener is now allowed to bid 4 card major

• and major fits found that way (reverse Kokish)
  • 3 Stayman
  • 3 distro & minimum
  • 3/ natural
  • 3NT to play
• 3 Limit raise in diamonds.
  • 3 by opener will end the auction.
  • 3/ asks for a stopper in the bid suit.
  • 3NT to play
  • 4 - KCB
• 3 Game forcing diamond raise with 4 diamonds
  • 3/ natural
  • 3NT to play
  • 4 - KCB
• 3NT 15-17 doubleton diamond

*Break relay with distro 6-5 etc or with 18-19 bal 5-3-3-2 , 2-3-4-4 , 3-3-3-4 - bid 3NT

** Break relay with 18-19 flat with 4 card major(s) bid 2NT

2NT should be 18-19 with 1 opener 4423, 4324, 3424 or 1 opener 4432, 4342, 3442 hands. We need 2nt to find the 4 card major fit if possible. Over the 2nt partner should bid 3 of the minor with 6, 3nt or a 4 card major if he has 1 (or take control). Any subsequent bid to a major is a q-bid in support of the major (or the minor if 6). If partner pulls 3nt to 4 of the minor it is KCB for the minor (he will place the contract).

With this solution , this leaves the one of a minor 3NT jump response to be a picture bid. A 15-17 HCP hand with 4-3-3-3 distribution is almost impossible to describe anyway.