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STAYMAN.NTA
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1995-10-17
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FORCING STAYMAN
Opener Responder
1NT 2C - asks opener to bid a major
2D - no four-card major
2H/2S - four-card major
2NT - two four-card majors, minimum hand
3C - two four-card majors, maximum hand
3D/3H/3S - five-card suit, maximum hand
The 2C response is not a telling bid, it is an asking bid: "Do you
have a four-card major?" Responder may not have four cards in
either major. He may be just kidding the opposition, or he may be
planning a raise to 2NT, which requires a bid of 2C first (an
immediate 2NT response is a transfer to diamonds).
The 2D response does not absolutely deny four cards in a major.
Opener may elect to suppress a very weak major with a maximum hand
and double stoppers in the other suits. Similarly, he may bid 2H
or 2S when holding four weak cards in the other major, usually with
a maximum hand and double stoppers in the minor suits.
Opener cannot bid 3C to show five clubs and a maximum, because
responder could have a very weak hand with the plan of passing
opener's response to Stayman: S-10852 H-J875 D-Q8642 C- void We
therefore use this bid to show both majors and a maximum notrump.
If responder now bids three of a major, opener must pass because
responder could have that bust hand. After a 2NT or 3C response,
responder can bid 3D to ask for opener's better major.
If opener bids 2NT or 3C to show both majors, he must pass a 3H or
3S bid. Why? See the previous paragraph. Besides, he has already
shown his hand.
When Opener Bids 2D
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2D 2H/2S - asks if opener has support for the suit (forcing)
2NT - natural invitational raise (only way to raise NT)
3C - natural, 4-1-4-4 (bidding the "middle" suit)
3D - natural, 1-4-4-4 " " " "
3H - natural, 4-4-4-1 " " " "
3S - natural, 4-4-1-4 " " " "
3NT - sign-off
4C - Gerber
4D - Texas transfer to hearts (4-6 in the majors)
4H - Texas transfer to spades (6-4 in the majors)
4S - mild notrump slam try (see THE BOLAND CONVENTION)
4NT - strong notrump slam try (see BOLAND)
Note that the 2H and 2S rebids do not show anything. They merely
ask if opener has trump support for the suit named. Responder
probably has a five-card suit, but may have a weak doubleton, just
trying to confuse the opposition. These bids must be alerted, "This
is an asking bid, and I am not allowed to bid higher than the three
level at this point." A 3NT bid by responder after "showing" a
major should therefore also alerted by opener ("I must pass").
After a 2D response, all three-level suit bids show a three-suited
hand with at least 10 HCP, and responder is bidding the middle
suit. Opener can ask for responder's points by bidding the next
higher ranking suit. He should do this whenever there is a minor
suit fit and a disappointing answer will not get the partnership
too high.
A singleton face card is not counted in the response (and a
singleton ace counts 3 HCP not 4): first step, 7-8 HCP; second step
9-10, etc. A singleton face card is not counted. To play slam in
a 4-4 fit requires a total of 29 HCP between the two hands,
excluding face cards in the short suit. A grand slam requires 33
HCP. Opener signs off by bidding game in notrump or in one of
responder's suits.
A repeat inquiry is possible by bidding the next higher ranking
suit after the first response (as long as that is not a game bid
in one of responder's suits). First step shows the lower value of
the range previously shown, second step the higher value.
When responder bids a new major on the second round, opener gives
information concerning support for that suit and general strength:
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2D 2H? (Alert: "She is asking about hearts, not telling.")
2S - minimum hand, no heart support (does not show spades)
2NT - maximum hand, no heart support (game force)
3C/3D - notrumper cue bids, heart support, minimum hand
3H - heart support, minimum hand, notrumper cue bid in spades?
3S - heart support, maximum hand, notrumper cue bid in spades
3NT - heart support, maximum hand
Naturally all these bids by opener must be alerted. Opener cannot
go beyond 3H with a minimum hand, nor can he go beyond 3NT on his
own. And once responder bids 3NT, the auction is over; opener must
pass. Why? Because responder may have nothing in hearts! She was
only asking about heart support, not telling anything.
Note that the only notrumper cue bid available with a maximum hand
and trump support is in spades; the alternative is to bid 3NT. Also
note that a raise to 3H shows a hand that is unsuitable for a
notrumper cue bid in a minor. The bid implies either a notrumper
cue bid in spades or lack of notrumper cue bid strength in any
suit.
The bidding after responder rebids 2S is similar:
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2D - 2S (Alert: "She is asking about spades, not telling.")
2NT - minimum hand, no spade support (cheapest bid)
3C - maximum hand, no spade support (game force)
3D/3H - notrumper cue bid, spade support, minimum hand
3S - spade support, minimum hand, notrumper cue bid in clubs?
3NT - spade support, maximum hand
In this case there is no suit available for opener to make a
notrumper cue bid with a maximum and support. The raise to 3S shows
a hand that is unsuitable for a notrumper cue bid in a red suit.
It implies either a notrumper cue bid in clubs or lack of notrumper
cue bid strength in any suit.
Note that whichever major responder bids, opener's raise shows a
minimum hand, support for the suit, and a possible notrumper cue
bid in the suit above partner's suit. Clubs are "above" spades.
Whenever opener shows a maximum, the partnership is committed to
game:
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2D 2S
3C 3D/3H - natural, forcing
3S - forcing
4S - very strong spades
Opener's 3C bid shows a maximum hand without spade support.
Responder's non-game bids are forcing because the 3C rebid commits
the partnership to game. If interested in slam, responder can bid
3S to elicit more information (like strong doubleton support for
spades). The unnecessary jump to 4S emphasizes suit quality, so
opener need not worry about a spade fit. It also says that
responder's assumed heart suit is not weak, since unnecessary jumps
imply good suit quality in any suit(s) previously shown by the
jumper.
The auctions that might occur when responder rebids 2H and opener
does not show support need elaboration:
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2D 2H
2S/2NT 3H/3D/3C/3S
The 3H bid implies an invitational hand with 4-6 in the majors. If
opener has rebid 2S (minimum, poor heart support), he can pass 3H
with a bad fit. The minor suit bids imply a good 4-5-4-0 or 4-5-0-4
hand, and are forcing even if opener showed a minimum. Stopping at
3C or 3D is a bit unrealistic, and there is no other way to show
such a hand. With a 5-5 hand responder would have used UHC instead
of Stayman. The 3S bid is forcing, implying six hearts and five
spade.
When Opener Bids a Major
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2H 2S - asking about spade support (see above)
2NT/3H - invitational raise
3C - 4-1-4-4 distribution, singleton heart
3D - artificial, seeking more information
3S/4C/4D - splinter bid, heart support, slam try
3NT - artificial heart raise, balanced, slam try
4H - sign-off, no slam interest
4S - Mild slam try in notrump, Boland applies
4NT - Stronger slam try in notrump, Boland applies
If the 3D bid gets doubled, opener redoubles with a double stopper,
makes his normal bid with a single stopper, and passes with no
stopper. The 3D rebid (which must be alerted) after a major suit
response serves a number of purposes:
-- It gives opener a chance to rebid the major or show a second
(weaker) major. Opener may choose to rebid a strong four-card major
(e.g., AKJ3), particularly when he has an unstopped suit.
-- After a major suit response to Stayman, 3D is a necessary
prelude to Blackwood or Gerber. An immediate 4NT rebid is natural,
and an immediate 4C rebid is a splinter bid in support of the
major.
-- After a major suit response to Stayman, a jump to 3NT is
artificial, showing a balanced hand with four-card support and slam
interest. The 3D bid must precede a natural raise to 3NT in this
situation.
A splinter bid, which requires 11 HCP excluding any face card in
the splinter suit, shows a singleton and at least four-card
support. With fewer HCP slam is unlikely, so just bid game. Opener
can bid the next higher ranking suit (excluding notrump, and
excluding the agreed suit) to ask for point range:
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2H 3S - splinter
4C? 4D - 11-12 HCP
4H - 13-14 HCP, etc
A repeat inquiry is possible by bidding the next higher ranking
suit after the first response (as long as that is not a game bid
in opener's major). First step shows the lower value of the range
previously shown, second step the higher value.
You would think that a notrump bid could be used to ask for points,
since there is a major suit fit, but no, a notrump bid is to play.
Opener could want to play notrump with something like AKQ in the
short suit.
This point-asking convention applies only after a Stayman bid, not
after a splinter following a transfer bid. Responder does not count
a singleton face card in this situation, and a singleton ace counts
3 HCP, not 4. Opener should ask for range whenever a disappointing
answer will not get the partnership too high. A fifth trump or a
strong five-card side suit may be counted as an extra point. The
partnership needs 29 HCP, excluding any face cards in the short
suit, for a small slam, and 33 HCP for a grand slam.
Opener can also ask for points when responder shows a 4-4-4-1 hand
and opener has a good fitting hand with a second suit. Opener bids
the next higher ranking suit (3D) to ask for HCP. As said before,
the first step in this situation shows 7-8 HCP, excluding a
singleton face card and deducting one point for a singleton ace.
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2S 2NT/3S - invitational raise
3C - 1-4-4-4 distribution, singleton spade
3D - artificial, seeking more information
3H - forcing, asking about the heart suit
3NT - artificial spade raise, balanced, slam try
4C/4D/4H - splinter bid, spade support, slam try
4S - sign-off
4NT - natural, invitational, Boland convention applies
After a 3H rebid by responder, opener raises with heart support
and a maximum, makes a notrumper cue bid (e.g., 3S, which is not
a rebid of the spade suit) with heart support and a minimum, bids
3NT with no heart support--whatever his strength.
After a 3NT bid by responder, showing a balanced raise with slam
interest (and at least four trumps, of course), a new suit by
opener is not a notrumper cue bid--which is only useful opposite
an unbalanced hand. Rather, a new suit says, "Need help here for
slam." It is usually a broken four-card suit (e.g., KJ97).
When Opener Shows Both Majors
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2NT/3C 3D - artificial, seeking more information
3H/3S - sign-off that must be passed
3NT - sign-off
4C/4D - splinter bid in support of at least one major
4H/4S - sign-off
4NT - natural, invitational
In response to 3D, opener bids his stronger major (3NT if both are
weak). After bidding 3D, responder (assuming opener has bid his
stronger major, can bid 4D to ask opener to bid the other major so
that opener can play the hand. He can also bid 4C (Gerber), or 4NT
(Roman Key Card Blackwood).
When Opener Shows a Five-card Suit
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
3D 3H/3S - forcing
3NT - sign-off
4C - Gerber
4D - raise, forcing ("Tell me more")
4H - splinter bid, diamond support
4S - notrump raise, poor diamond support
4NT - natural, invitational
Opener has already shown a maximum, so the 4S bid says, "Are your
diamonds solid enough to stand on their own?," while the 4NT raise
just says, "Are you sure you have a maximum?"
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
3H 3S - forcing, natural, five or more spades
3NT - sign-off
4C - Gerber
4D - natural, probably four spades and good diamonds
4S - notrump raise, poor heart support
4NT - natural, invitational
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
3S 4C - Gerber
4D - natural, probably four hearts and good diamonds
4H - natural, at least six hearts, balanced hand, strong
4NT - natural, invitational (poor spade fit)
Responder shows slam interest and a long but not strong heart suit
when he uses Stayman and then insists on a heart game.
Two-Suited Hands
Stayman is used with two-suited hands of invitational strength when
one of the suits is spades:
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2D 2S - forcing, asking about spades
2NT 3C/3D/3H - not forcing
Opener will probably pass, in view of his announced minimum opening
and lack of spade support. He might raise a heart bid, however,
with a good fit in both suits: S-AQ H-KQ2 D-A873 C-J542
Even when opener has indicated support for a major, responder can
still show a second suit:
Opener Responder Opener Responder
1NT 2C 1NT 2C
2D 2S 2H 2S
3S 4C/4D/4H 3S 4C/4D - second suit
4H - heart support
Responder's follow-up new suit bid usually shows a second suit. In
the first auction, the 4H bid is not forcing. Opener could have
suppressed a weak heart suit, so responder will bid 4H with 5-5 in
the majors and no slam interest. Responder is looking for slam with
the 4C or 4D bid, however, since a major suit has been supported.
In the second auction, responder no doubt has five strong spades,
three good hearts, and an unbalanced hand. He is giving opener a
choice between a heart and spade game.
With a two-suited invitational hand that includes hearts but not
spades, use the Unbalanced Heart Convention (next chapter).
Use Stayman with invitational strength, five or more spades, and
an unbalanced hand, even if not two-suited:
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2D/2H 2S
2NT Pass with S-K9873 H-2 D-9632 C-AJ2
3S with S-Q87632 H-4 D-853 C-KJ7 (invitational)
3C with S-Q8753 H-82 D-9 C-AJ984 (invitational)
The "invitations" will probably not be accepted, in view of
opener's minimum hand. Opener may bid on with a good fit, however.
The Stayman sequence gives opener a chance to make a notrumper cue
bid in support of spades, which may permit a game bid on the basis
of a good fit. It is also the only way to bid two suits without
forcing to game, since a second suit bid after using Jacoby is game
forcing.
Slam Tries with One-Suited Hands
When a Stayman responder insists on game in a major suit that has
not been supported, and responder has shown the other major, it is
obvious he had slam in mind:
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2H 2S
2NT 4S
Responder implies a long but perhaps weakish spade suit, and the
hand may be balanced or unbalanced. With strong spades, responder
would have started with 3S (if unbalanced) or Jacoby 2H (if
balanced) to show slam interest. With no slam in mind, he would
have used Texas.
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2S 3H
3NT 4H - weakish suit, slam interest
Responder could not bid 4H over 2S, because that is a splinter bid
in support of spades. Using Stayman to arrive at the heart game
implies a balanced hand, since UHC is available for unbalanced
hands with hearts.
When opener has responded 2D, the bidding goes this way with such
hands:
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2D 2S
2NT 4H/4S
Opener's 2NT bid showed a minimum and no support, so responder just
bids game. With a weak 6-4 in the majors, responder would have used
Texas over 2D, bidding 4D with six hearts, 4H with six spades.
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2D 2S
3C 3S - forcing
4S - "fast arrival"
The unnecessary jump to 4S implies responder is giving up on slam
in spite of opener's maximum, due to opener's lack of spade
support. With a weak 6-4 in the majors, she would have used Texas
over 2D, jumping to 4H. Similarly:
Opener Responder
1NT 2C
2D 2H
2S 3H - forcing
4H - "fast arrival"
With a weak 4-6 in the majors, responder would have jumped to 4D
(Texas) over 2D.
Also see WHEN THE OPPONENTS INTERVENE.