516
Replying to Partner's Stayman
Stayman is an artificial bid used by a partnership to find a 4-4 or 5-3 trump fit in a major suit. After the opener makes a one notrump (1NT) opening bid or overcall or an opening 2NT bid partner responds 2C and you must reply.
The Issue
Partner has Stayman-ed (bid 2C) after opening or overcall of 1NT, this is a force and you must respond.
A 2♦ bid from the opener denies a holding in either of the 4-card majors.
The responder may then bid his 5 card major at the level of 2 of his major with 8-9 HCP, or with a call of 3 of his major with 10 HCP.
This allows No-Trump bidder to find game in a major with a 5-3 split, otherwise, opener has the option to retreat to the appropriate notrump contract.
A No-Trump opener who holds at least four cards in each major suit should “correct” by bidding the other major suit at the lowest level.
Openers Rebid after Partner's 2C Stayman bid
Stayman Responses
| Openers rebid | What The Bid Says | |
|---|---|---|
| 2♦ | denys four cards in either of the major suits | |
| 2♥ | shows 4+ cards in the heart suit and does not deny a 4 card spade suit | |
| 2♠ | showing 4 spades and deny’s having 4 heart cards otherwise the hearts would have been bid first | |
| 3♣ | no major suit holdings but a long club suit usually 6+ clubs |
Exercise
You open 1NT and your partner Stayman’s – 2C asking for your 4 card Major suits. What is your next bid?
- ♠ A 9
- ♥ J T 7
- ♦ A J T 9 3
- ♣ A 7 6
Answer: You bid 2D. Your bid says nothing about your diamond suit it is artificial and tells partner you don’t have any 4 card major suits