[straube]

After a strong (16+) club and an 1H response showing roughly 4-7 hcps we've been using

1S-relays (generally GF)
1N-16-18
2L-natural
2N-19
3L-invitational

I want Stayman, but it's nice to be able to retire in 2C with A Axx xxxx AKQxx. Might have to rebid some offshape NTs

How about

1S-relays (generally GF)
1N-16-18
2C-asks a major
.....2D-4+H
..........2H-fit
..........2S-4 spades
.....2H-4+S
..........2S-fit
.....2S-spade tolerance
.....2N-spade intolerance
2D-diamonds
2H-hearts
2S-spades, denies 4 hearts
2N-19
3C-clubs, no 4-cd major
3D-5/5 majors
3M-invitational

Of course, this loses some things, too. For example, it loses 1C-1H, 2C-3C invitational. Any time it goes 1C-1H, 3C responder has to guess what to do...including whether to show a 5-cd major or not.

[wclass___]

This is how i would do it.

Look what players use after 1♣-1♦ and try to build our method so we would be least behind them.

1♣-1♦
==>
1♥ 4+ F1
1♠ 4+F1
1N nat
2m=nat no 4M NF

I guess i would use 1♣-1♥-1♠ to ask for a 4+major - generally 4M5m+ hands, but some strong hands (if not all strong ones) should be also added there.