Practice on Cuebids
Practice strong constructive auctions where strain, controls, and slam judgment matter after very strong hands are shown.
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Systems
Last updated
2026-07-31
What is the Kokish Relay?
Kokish Relay is an add-on after a strong artificial 2 opening and a waiting 2 response. Instead of jumping to 3NT with a very strong balanced hand, opener can rebid 2 as a relay. In the standard version, 2 shows either that big balanced hand or a genuine heart suit. Responder normally completes the relay with 2, and opener then describes the hand at a lower level.
The usual gain is space. Very strong balanced hands are hard to bid after 2 because a direct jump to 3NT may consume the room needed to find a major fit, choose the right notrump level, or investigate slam.
Basic relay shape
- 2 is strong and artificial.
- 2 is waiting or negative in many methods.
- 2 is the Kokish relay, not necessarily natural hearts.
- 2 usually completes the relay unless responder has an agreed reason to break it.
Showing the big balanced hand
After the relay is completed, opener can rebid 2NT to show a very strong balanced hand by partnership agreement. Many pairs use direct 2NT over 2 for one balanced range and the Kokish route for a stronger range.
The exact numbers vary. A common scheme uses roughly 22 to 24 for the direct 2NT rebid and 25 or more for the Kokish route; some pairs tighten that to 22-23 and 24 plus. The important agreement is relative: one route shows the smaller strong notrump range, and the Kokish route shows the larger one.
Unlike the direct 2NT rebid, which most pairs allow responder to pass with a hopeless hand, the delayed 2NT sets up a game force. Many partnerships then use the same responses as after a 2NT opening, so Stayman or Puppet Stayman and transfers stay available a level lower than after a 3NT rebid.
Kokish into notrump
- After the forced 2, 2NT shows the agreed very strong balanced range.
- In the standard version this 2NT is forcing, so responder bids again even with nothing.
- Responder can now use the partnership notrump tools at a lower level than after a direct 3NT rebid.
Responder uses the notrump tools
- Many pairs keep their normal 2NT-opening responses here, so 3 is Stayman or Puppet Stayman by agreement.
- Transfers and other agreed gadgets apply in the same way, all below 3NT.
Direct 2NT instead
- With 23 HCP and balanced shape, opener rebids 2NT directly over 2 in the common 22-24 scheme.
- Swap the club jack for the club king and the hand grows into the Kokish route.
Heart hands and relay breaks
The Kokish 2 rebid also carries strong heart hands, so opener no longer has a simple natural 2 rebid in the same auction. After responder completes the relay with 2, opener distinguishes a heart one-suiter from hearts with a second suit.
A common shape structure uses 3 for hearts and clubs, 3 for hearts and diamonds, 3 for a heart one-suiter, and 3 for hearts and spades. Exact suit-length and strength requirements remain partnership agreements.
Responder breaks are partnership-specific. Some pairs allow responder to bid naturally with a very descriptive hand; others keep the relay almost compulsory to protect opener's strong balanced hands.
The extra step is not free. When opener actually holds hearts, the relay consumes the space responder would have used for a cheap second negative or a delayed positive over a natural 2 rebid, so agree how responder signs off with a bust once the heart hand appears.
- 2NT: the agreed very strong balanced range.
- 3: at least five hearts and four clubs in a common structure.
- 3: at least five hearts and four diamonds in a common structure.
- 3: at least six hearts without a second suit that needs to be shown.
- 3: at least five hearts and four spades in a common structure.
Strong heart hand
- In many Kokish structures, opener uses this type of continuation for a strong heart hand.
- The exact strength and forcing level must be agreed.
Why it helps
Kokish is strongest when opener is strong enough that slam is plausible but there is no obvious strain yet. Starting the description below 3NT lets responder show a five-card major, transfer, ask, or cooperate naturally.
It also reduces pressure on responder. Instead of guessing after a fast 3NT rebid, responder hears a more measured description and can place the contract with more information.
Classic Kokish balanced hand
- This hand is too strong for a normal 2NT opening.
- After 2-2, a Kokish route can show the big balanced range without leaping to 3NT.
Strong heart one-suiter
- This hand may also start with 2.
- Playing Kokish, opener rebids 2, and after the 2 completion the 3 rebid shows the one-suiter, while 2NT would instead have shown the big balanced hand.
Follow-up agreements
Kokish does not stand alone. It affects notrump systems, responder positives, transfers, major-suit searches, and slam methods after the strong balanced range is shown.
Before playing it, decide whether responder can break the relay, which ranges are assigned to direct 2NT and delayed 2NT, and whether Puppet Stayman or transfers apply after the delayed notrump rebid.
Common mistakes
- Treating opener's 2 rebid as natural hearts when Kokish is on.
- Failing to define the direct 2NT range versus the delayed 2NT range.
- Adding Kokish without discussing how strong heart one-suiters are shown.
- Passing the delayed 2NT with a bust when the partnership plays it as forcing.
- Forgetting which notrump tools apply after the delayed 2NT rebid.
FAQ
What auction starts the Kokish Relay?
The common auction is 2-2-2, where 2 is artificial and asks responder to bid 2.
Does Kokish always show hearts?
No. In Kokish methods, 2 is often a relay and may lead to a very strong balanced hand rather than a heart suit.
Is the delayed 2NT forcing?
In the standard version, yes. The 2-2-2NT route sets up a game force, so responder must bid even with a worthless hand, and many pairs then use their normal 2NT-opening responses.
Why not just rebid 3NT?
A direct 3NT rebid can use too much space. Kokish keeps the auction lower so the partnership can still look for the right strain and level.