Symmetric Relay is a bidding system in which one partner describes the exact hand pattern, honour strength and location of high cards enabling the other partner to accurately place the final contract.

Symmetric Relay was developed by New Zealanders Roy Kerr and Paul Marston and has been played by many New Zealand and Australian experts.

The version of Symmetric Relay described here is based on the system played by myself and Andrei Sharko.

First the hand type (balanced or unbalanced) and the long suits are identified;

After the long suits have been shown the relative length of the short suits is shown;

Then the exact hand pattern is shown;

Then the number of controls (Aces and Kings) are shown;

Finally the location of the honour cards are shown.