[hylins]

In the standard Precision system, 1♣ opener can start 6-step asking to explore partner's holding once partner shows positive response.
However, the original 6-step asking uses lots of bidding space. Moreover, the stronger 1♣ opener won't be the declarer when playing partner's suit as trump.

A new RELAY approach is that partner's positive response is required to bid one step below the suit he/she has such that the 1♣ opener can bid partner's suit step to do 6-step asking.
The new responses to 1♣ opening will be like

1♦ 0-7 HCPs, Any
1♥ 8+ HCPs, ♠x5+
1♠ 8+ HCPs, Balanced NT hand
1NT 8+ HCPs, ♣x5+
2♣ 8+ HCPs, ♦x5+
2♦ 8+ HCPs, ♥x5+

Using 6-step ♠ suit asking as an example, the original asking

1♣ 1♠
2♠

will be replaced by the new RELAY approach

1♣-1♥
1♠


To further improve this 6-step asking responses, a 1+6 step approach is introduced.

Continuing with the example of 1♣-1♥-1♠ above, when partner has 16+ HCPs, the immediate next step (1NT in this case) will be bidden to show slam going hand.
The 1♣ opener will bid the next step (2♣ in this case) to continue the 6-step asking and partner will bid the 6-step responses from 2♦ to 3♦.

1♣ 1♥
1♠ 1NT
2♣ (2♦-3♦)

If partner has 8-15 HCPs, responses from 2♣ to 3♣ will be the normal 6-step responses.

1♣ 1♥
1♠ (2♣-3♣)

This new 1+6 responses RELAY asking approach brings in 4 advantages. They are

1) Bidding space saving.
2) Strong hand be the declarer.
3) Knowing the strength of partner's hand for Game or Slam strength at lower bidding level.
4) Easily integrated into the Precision system

Additionally, this 1+6 step responses RELAY asking approach for Precision system
can also be used for responses to the strong 2C opening in SAYC or 2/1 sytem with proper HCP range adjustment.

[mike777]

Are the opponents allowed to bid? If so, what are your agreements?

One question I would always ask the opponents at the table, how high do I need to bid to break the relay? I am entitled to know that particular partnership agreement.

[PrecisionL]

Yes, Transfer Precision is an improvement!

Many of us Precision lovers use the acceptance of the transfer as Beta for Total Controls: 1-2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 to ascertain slam prospects.

Others of us use the acceptance as an ask for further distributional information.

A new suit by opener would be an SAB. Have fun with all these extras.

[steve2005]

I think using the standard responses in relay Precision makes more sense.
1♥=♠
1♠=♥
1N=♣
2♣=♦
In relay Precision you are potentially showing a 4-card major in order that you can eventually get exact shape below 3NT. But that is a lot of memory work to get exact shape, symmetric relay helps.
If you use this to show 5-card suits or better you are a little better off than the standard Precision.
For flat hands (balanced with no 5-card suit) you can use 2♦ for 8-11 or 15+ hcp and 2NT for 12-14
Then you are only left with 4-4-4-1 hands. You didn't mention what you do with those. You have 2 main options 2♠ for all 4441 hands or bid the singleton either 2♥, 2♠, 3♣ or 3♦

Over 1♣-1♠(hearts) use 1NT as the relay

In any event the main advantage from Precision occurs when you don't open 1♣ and have limited you hand to 15 hcp. and usually a 5 hcp range.
The 1♣ opening just doesn't come up enough to worry about tinkering with it.
Right now using Santa Fe Precision (Meck-lite) so using a set method and not tinkering.

[hylins]

mike777, on 2026-August-07, 07:55, said:

Are the opponents allowed to bid? If so, what are your agreements?

One question I would always ask the opponents at the table, how high do I need to bid to break the relay? I am entitled to know that particular partnership agreement.

Ideally, all systems are built on a uncontested condition.

In case the opponent does bid, all bids afterward will depend on when and how high opponents bid.

1) If LHO bids at at low level after Precision 1♣ opening
the responder can have standard Precision's: Pass for 0-4, X for 5-8, and bid with 9+ Hcps, ....

2) If RHO bids at low level after partner's response,
then the opener still can do 1+6 step asking on Partner's suit, or 1+N step asking on own suit (which is not covered in this article).

3) If LHO bids at low level after Precision 1♣ opener starts 1+6 asking bid,
then the responder can take advantages of the extra 2 steps (X and Pass) to reply.

4) If LHO X after Precision 1♣ opener's 1+6 asking bid,
then the responder can take advantages of the extra 2 steps (XX and Pass) to reply.

5) When Opp's bidding level is high, one will have no choice but using common sense bidding.