1NT – Stayman - Introduction

 

This is surely the world’s most commonly used convention.  It applies after Partner opens 1NT, and is designed to find a 4-4 major fit.  According to the theory, if we have a 4-4 major fit, that is likely to be a better place to play than No Trump.

 

Responses

 

You open 1NT, Partner bids 2♣ asking if you have a 4-card major.  There are 3 possible responses:

 

♠ A87                          After Partner’s Stayman bid, your call is 2♦.  This says nothing

♥ K75                          about Diamonds, it merely denies possession of a 4-card major.

♦ A3

♣ KQ752

 

♠ A87                          Here, we do have a 4-card major, and we bid 2♥ to show it.

♥ K754

♦ A32

♣ KQ75

 

♠ AKQ7                      When we have both majors, we bid the Hearts, notwithstanding

♥ 5432                         the huge disparity in the suit strength.  If we were to bid 2♠ here

♦ A32                          we would be saying “I don’t have 4 Hearts”.  And, pitiful as that

♣ K7                           4-card Heart suit may be, we should bid it anyway.

 

Sample Auctions

 

The follow-up to Stayman is, for the most part, natural and intuitive.  Here are some typical auctions:

 

1NT     2♣                   Responder tried for a 4-4 major fit, didn’t get one, and is now

2♦        2NT                 inviting to game in No Trump.  Opener will bid 3NT if he likes

                                    his hand, otherwise he will pass.

 

1NT     2♣                   The same as before, but Responder has enough for game.

2♦        3NT

 

1NT     2♣                   Responder tried for a 4-4 major fit, heard about the Hearts, and

2♥        3NT                 then bid 3NT.  Clearly, he has enough for game and 4 Spades …

                                    so Opener will pass 3NT without 4 Spades, but, if he happens
                                    to have 4 cards in both majors, he’ll convert to 4♠.

 

1NT     2♣                   In this auction, we have found our 4-4 major fit, but Responder is

2♠        3♠                    not strong enough to bid game … that 3♠ bid is invitational.

 

 

Non-Stayman Hands

 

Just because you have a 4-card major is not sufficient reason to use Stayman.  Here are some hands where Stayman is not applicable.

 

♠ K876                        First of all, remember that Stayman is primarily a constructive

♥ 98                             bid, and (with exceptions that we’ll get to in a follow-up article)

♦ 754                           it normally shows at least an invitational hand.  Why not use

♣ Q732                       use Stayman here, anyway?  Pretty simple, really.  If Opener

                                    bids 2♦ or 2♥ (over our 2♣) we’ll be left with nowhere to go.

 

♠ K87                          Well, of course, no Stayman on this hand, we have no 4-card

♥ K74                          major.  1NT 3NT is obviously the route to take.

♦ A654

♣ 742

 

♠ K8753                      Here, we have a 5-card major, and most partnerships use Jacoby

♥ K65                          Transfers for this type of hand.

♦ A32

♣ 82

 

♠ 5432                         It’s no doubt the worst hand you have ever held in your entire

♥ 5432                         life!  But, that’s no reason for a craven Pass when Partner opens

♦ 5432                         1NT.  Here is one of those exceptions we mentioned earlier.

♣2                               This is not a “Non-Stayman Hand” at all!  Bid 2♣!  Your plan is to                                     pass Partner’s response, whatever it may be.  If Partner bids 2♥ or

                                    2♠, you will cheerfully pass, certain that you are now in a better

                                    spot than 1NT.  And, if Partner bids 2♦?  Well, chances are that                                     this is a better spot, too, and, again, you pass.

 

                                    Please see this link also:  Stayman - Part Two

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