The Symmetric Relay bidding system is a relay system developed by a group of bridge players from New Zealand. The system was first described by Mr. Roy Patrick Kerr of Kurow, New Zealand, and Mr. Walt Jones. This bidding system was very successfully played at international tournaments by Mr. Paul Marston and Mr. Malcolm Sims.

Various modifications of this concept and refinements thereof have led to different versions. Such a modified version was developed by Mr. Hugh Grosvenor and Mr. Ian Robinson, both from Australia, and published online in the year 1986. This version is also a strong club system, similar in many ways to Precision Club but using relay continuations over all of the openings.

Noteworthy

The 1 Club opening is the only strong opening in the Symmetric Relay bidding system. It shows either 16 plus high card points and unbalanced distribution or 17 plus high card points and balanced distribution. Holdings with exceptional playing strength may be upgraded to open 1 Club, but this should, however, be a discretionary judgment call of the player.

Opening Bids Only

Bid		Strength		Meaning
1 :		16+ high card points		Shows any unbalanced distribution., or
		17+ high card points		shows a balanced distribution.
1 :		11-15 high card points		No 5-card Major suit, not 14-15 points and balanced, and not single-suited with 6 plus in a Minor suit, and not 6-4.
1 :		11-15 high card points		Promises a 5-card plus Heart suit. May have a longer Minor suit, but not 5 plus Spades.
1 :		11-15 high card points		Promises a 5-card plus Spade suit. May have a longer Minor suit, but not 5 plus Hearts.
1 NT:		14-16 high card points		Shows balanced shape.
2 :		11-15 high card points		Promises a 6-card plus Club suit, and no outside 4-card Major suit. A 4-card Diamond suit is possible.
2 :		11-15 high card points		Promises a 6-card plus Diamond suit, and no outside 4-card suit.
2 :		11-15 high card points		Promises a minimum of 5-5 distribution in both Major suits.
2 :		5-10 high card points		Normal Weak Two bid.
2NT:				Shows fewer than opening values and promises either a distribution of 5-5 in both red suits (Hearts and Diamonds), or
				shows fewer than opening values abd a distribution of 5-5 in both Major suits.
3 :				Standard preemptive opening.
3 :				Standard preemptive opening.
3 :				Standard preemptive opening.
3 :				Standard preemptive opening.
3 NT:				Minor suit preemptive opening at the four level.
4 :				Transfer opening to Hearts.
4 :				Transfer opening to Spades.
4 :				To play.
4 :				To play.
4 NT:				Ace asking.

Additional Information

For a full and complete review the bridge student should read the online .pdf file compiled by Mr. Hugh Grosvenor and Mr. Ian Robinson, which they authored in the year 1986. It contains all the additional information for the execution of this bidding system.

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.