Stayman

Stayman is a bidding convention used by a partnership to find an 8 card trump fit in a major suit after making a 1NT opening bid; it has been adapted for use after a 2NT opening, a 1NT overcall and many other natural notrump bids.

After a 1NT opening (or overcall), 2

asks the 1NT bidder about majors. This artificial club bid typically promises four cards in at least one of the major suits and invitational values. (Exceptions: Responder has a hand that is willing to pass any response by Opener; or a hand that has both majors (at least 4-4) and is willing to pass 2

/2 or correct a 2

answer to 2 to show a weak hand with both majors.)

The opener responds with the following rebids.

2♦ = no 4 card major

2♥ = 4 (or 5) hearts, does not deny a 4 card spade suit

2♠ = 4 (or5) spades, generally denies a 4 card heart suit

NOTE: Depending on partnership agreement, a bid of 3♥ or 3♠ can be used to show a 4 card suit with maximum values.

Continuances of the Responder

Since the No Trump bidder has limited his hand to 15-17/18 high card points, the responder becomes the Captain of the partnership and must decide the correct contract.

1. If responder has 8-9 high card points, and he realizes that they have an 8-card fit in a Major, then the rebid of the responder is either 3♥ or 3♠. This is purely invitational and not forcing. The No Trump bidder continues to game with the maximum high card points and passes with the minimum high card points.

2. If the responder finds no fit, then the responder bids 2NT with 8/9 points to show no fit.

3. If the responder has 10-14 points (high card points plus distributional points) after finding an 8-card Major fit, then the responder bids game in that suit.

4. If the responder has 10-14 high card points, and he realizes there is no fit in either Major suit, the responder bids game in No Trump.

5. If the responder has 15 plus points, high card points plus distributional points after re-evaluating his hand, after finding an 8-card Major fit, then the responder should try for slam.

6. If the responder has 15 high card points plus, and discovers no fit, the responder should try for slam by asking the No Trump bidder for his number of Aces with the Blackwood convention, or the agreed partnership slam conventional methods, with the intention of playing the contract in No Trump.

For a more detailed description of the Stayman convention see Wikipedia or BridgeGuys.