After a strong 2♣ and 2♦ relay (waiting bid).

You can go two ways with this to demonstrate two different NnTrump strength holdings.

  • Bidding 2♥ forces 2♠. Now the 2NT bid shows 25+ points
  • Bid 2NT directly shows 23-24 points.

Some people play reverse Kokish as well – where the two bids above are reversed…so make sure you know which Kokish you are playing if you are playing it.

Partnerships can have different points holding for 2NT openers so make sure you have a partnership agreement as some people play 20-21 2NT openers.

Let’s look at some examples of 2♣ openers using kokish relays :-

a)b)c)d)
♠ AK
♥ AJ10
♦ AQ532
♣ AK7		♠ AKJ5
♥ AQ9
♦ A87
♣ AK5		♠ AQ10
♥ AK
♦ QJ104
♣ AQJ10		♠ Q103
♥ AQJ
♦ AQJ
♣ AK96
♠ QJ732
♥ 98765
♦ 5
♣ 42		♠ 107
♥ K108632
♦ K52
♣ 43		♠ 7432
♥ 543
♦ 987
♣ 973		♠ KJ954
♥ 42
♦ 1074
♣ 743

a) 2♣ – 2♦ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 4♦ – 4♥.

The 2NT bid shows 25+ points. partner bids muppet stayman and the 3♥ response denies a 4 card major. Partner bids 4♦ to show 5-5 in the majors and 4♥ is reached.

b) 2♣ – 2♦ – 2NT – 4♣ – 4♦ – 4NT – 5♣ – 5♦ – 6♦ – 6NT

The 2NT bid shows 25+ points. Partner bids a two under slam try 4♣ and partner accepts with a cue bid of 4♦. Partner does a quick check for keycards and decides 6NT is a better contract.

c) 2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 2♠ – 2NT – All Pass

The 2NT bid shows 23-24points.

d) 2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 2♠ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 3NT – 4♠

The 2NT bid shows 23-24 points. 3♣ is muppet stayman, 3♥ denies a 4 card major, 3NT shows a 5 card major and partner bids 4♠.

The kokish relay is a useful system for keeping the bidding at 2NT when you have these 25+ point holding allowing partner to investigate major holdings below the 3NT level. The disadvantage of this system is in order to agree hearts you can end up bidding 4H…

2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 2♠ – 3♥ – ? harder to agree hearts without signing off in 4♥

Where the bidding previously may have preceded with…

2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 3♥ – now can look for a slam in hearts more comfortably

So it’s up to you if you want to play the Kokish relay system…how often do you pick up 25 counts?

Kokish has some more complex bids – but as far as I know – most people don’t play these bids or have even discussed them…

After 2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ then:

  • 3♣: 5+ hearts and 4+ clubs
  • 3♦: 5+ hearts and 4+ diamonds
  • 3♥: 6+ hearts
  • 3♠: 5+hearts and 4+ spades

Now if you were to bid 2nt and show a 5 card heart suit (after puppet/muppet) – partner should know you are 5332 shape