Stayman Advanced
Article by Woodgrove
Artificial and asks opener to bid a 4-card major suit. Responser typically has
at least one 4-card major and some ruffing potential (not 4-3-3-3 shape), and is
searching for a possible 4-4 trump fit. Stayman is also used as stepingstone to
show a 5-card or longer minor suit in a game-going hand (usually with slam
interest).
Stayman Over 1NT (2C Response to 1NT)
1NT Opener Response After 2C:
- 2D: denies a 4-card major.
- 2H: shows a 4-card heart suit and may have
4-card spades.
- 2S: shows a 4-card spade suit and denies 4-card
hearts.
Rebids By Stayman Bidder:
- 2H/S: 8-9 HCP with 5-card suit, invitational and
non-forcing.
- 2NT: 8-9 HCP, invitational and non-forcing.
- 3C/D: 10 HCP or above and at least a 5-card
suit, forcing and slam interest. 1NT-3C/D are weak sign-off bids.
- 3 of unbid major: 10 HCP or above and at least a
5-card suit, forcing to game.
- Raise to 3 of a major: 8-9 HCP and 4-card
support for opener, invitational to game.
- 3NT: sign-off.
- 4C: Gerber.
- 4H/S: sign-off.
- 4NT: quantitative invitation to 6NT.
INTERFERENCE BY THE OPPONENTS:
- If 1NT is doubled: Stayman is off, 2C becomes a
weak rescue bid showing clubs. Responser may redouble to show at least 7
HCP.
- If 1NT is overcalled: Stayman is off. Responser
may ask for a 4-card major by cue-bidding the natural enemy suit with
9 HCP or above.
- If 2C is doubled: opener may:
(a) make his normal rebids;
(b) pass with 4 clubs; or
(c) redouble with 5 clubs or a good 4 clubs.
If opener elects to pass or redouble (after 2CX),
responder may:
(a) make his normal rebids;
(b) redouble or pass to play; or
(c) 2D as rescue maneuver with the "weak three-suiter"
short in clubs.
- If 2C is overcalled: opener may:
(a) bid a 4-card suit major at the 2-level;
(b) double for penalty with four cards in the enemy
suit; or
(c) pass.
- Stayman Over 2NT (3C Response to 2NT):
All responder's rebids are game-forcing and 4C is not Gerber
after using Stayman.