KOKISH RELAY

Mr. Eric Kokish devised the following mechanism to illustrate how it is possible to show a holding of 25 to 27 high card points and a balanced hand without having to consume bidding spade on the Three Level.

It is generally accepted practice to show such a strong holding with an artificial strong 2 Clubs opening. Examine the following example:

	KJ98
	AK7
	AKQ
	KQJ

The generally accepted preference is shown in the following bidding sequence:

North		South
2		2		Normally a Waiting Bid. Other responses are possible
3 NT				North shows 25-27 high card points and a balanced holding.

Using the Kokish Relay, the responder would do exactly the same thing, but the opener would change the bidding sequence in the following manner, which is the Kokish Relay:

North		South
2		2		Waiting Bid. No other response is agreed upon.
2				This is a forcing bid and is completely artificial.
		2		South is forced by agreement to rebid 2 Spades to learn more.
2 NT				North now has described his holding as 25-27 HCPs and balanced.

With this bidding sequence, the partnership remains on the Two Level and has described a holding which normally would have ended on the Three Level. If the opener simply had a 22-24 high card point balanced holding, then the first rebid by the opener would have been 2 No Trump.

After this Kokish Relay, the responder can, by partnership agreement, employ the Stayman, the Jacoby Transfer, Texas Transfer, the Gerber, or the Roman Key Card conventions.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.