<p>This is <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/XYZ_convention" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the XYZ convention</a>. It applies when the partnership has made their first three bids at the 1 level. Briefly, 2D is an artificial game force and 2C is a relay to 2D, either to sign off or to describe an invitational hand. It's an extension of two-way New Minor Forcing to any rebid at the one level by opener, instead of just 1NT.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-12T07:02:47.743Z
Ok. Thank you so much. That is very helpful and so kind of you to answering
AmarjitSingh Bhatia
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-08-02T15:47:00.653Z
Can it not just be fourth suit forcing?
AlDante
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-08-02T15:50:07.190Z
Fourth-suit forcing doesn't relay partner into 2D and is not bid when you have a hand that wants to sign off in diamonds. I agree that many partnerships play fourth-suit forcing here, but that doesn't match the description given in this case.
ruds
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-08-29T00:30:10.993Z
2C is not a "relays". 2C is a puppet.  A relay is an artificial bid asking partner to describe their hand. A puppet is an artificial bid forcing partner to make an automatic bid which says nothing about their hand. Puppets and relays are two very different concepts.
Michal
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-08-29T03:14:03.240Z
@Michal I don't know how to tell you this, but this usage is common. But go off with your prescriptivist self
ruds
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-08-29T03:15:43.640Z
But also, from the link in the post: "Although it is mandatory in the XY Notrump form of the convention to complete the relay 2♣ to 2♦, when Z was a suit, opener may be unlimited. In such a case it is acceptable, if opener has too good a hand to risk being dropped in 2♦ to bypass the relay and make a (forcing) bid."
ruds
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-08-29T03:41:26.920Z
@ruds - common it might be, it is not correct.  After all, last time I checked Puppet Stayman was called Puppet Stayman not "Relay" Stayman.
Michal
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-08-29T14:23:12.863Z
Words mean what they are used to mean, not what one person thinks they should mean. A puppet bid and a "relay to" are essentially the same thing in common usage.
ruds
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-11T11:50:59.913Z
2024-05-11T11:50:59.913Z
ruds
<p>I have come across similar auctions a few times but have not been able to figure out what the convention is. Will be thankful if someone can help.</p>
<pre><code>N. E. S. W
P. P. 1D  P
1H p. 1S. P
2c p
</code></pre>
<p>2c is Alert asking partner to bid 2d and may hide a weak hand with diamonds or an invitational hand.
Thanks</p>

<duplicate-bridge>
What is this note-taking convention?
AmarjitSingh Bhatia
# What is this note-taking convention?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-05-11)

I have come across similar auctions a few times but have not been able to figure out what the convention is. Will be thankful if someone can help.
N. E. S. W
P. P. 1D  P
1H p. 1S. P
2c p

2c is Alert asking partner to bid 2d and may hide a weak hand with diamonds or an invitational hand.
Thanks

**Tags:** duplicate-bridge


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2024-05-11. Score: 4

This is [the XYZ convention](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/XYZ_convention). It applies when the partnership has made their first three bids at the 1 level. Briefly, 2D is an artificial game force and 2C is a relay to 2D, either to sign off or to describe an invitational hand. It's an extension of two-way New Minor Forcing to any rebid at the one level by opener, instead of just 1NT.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Ok. Thank you so much. That is very helpful and so kind of you to answering  
> **username_2**: Can it not just be fourth suit forcing?  
> **username_1**: Fourth-suit forcing doesn't relay partner into 2D and is not bid when you have a hand that wants to sign off in diamonds. I agree that many partnerships play fourth-suit forcing here, but that doesn't match the description given in this case.  
> **username_3**: 2C is not a "relays". 2C is a puppet.  A relay is an artificial bid asking partner to describe their hand. A puppet is an artificial bid forcing partner to make an automatic bid which says nothing about their hand. Puppets and relays are two very different concepts.  
> **username_1**: @username_3 I don't know how to tell you this, but this usage is common. But go off with your prescriptivist self  
> **username_1**: But also, from the link in the post: "Although it is mandatory in the XY Notrump form of the convention to complete the relay 2♣ to 2♦, when Z was a suit, opener may be unlimited. In such a case it is acceptable, if opener has too good a hand to risk being dropped in 2♦ to bypass the relay and make a (forcing) bid."  
> **username_3**: @username_1 - common it might be, it is not correct.  After all, last time I checked Puppet Stayman was called Puppet Stayman not "Relay" Stayman.  
> **username_1**: Words mean what they are used to mean, not what one person thinks they should mean. A puppet bid and a "relay to" are essentially the same thing in common usage.  

---

