Conventions: Puppet Stayman

Source: bridge.ustc.edu.cn

I feel all flat hands with the appropriate HCP range should be opened NT regardless of the fact that you have a 5 card major . Coming with the territory is throwing out Stayman . Stayman invented his convention to ask the NT bidder if she has a 4 card major . It does not have to be that way . It works just as well if it is reversed , the NT opener asks responder for the 4 card major !!

Modified puppet Stayman does just that by a clever use of a relay. 1NT- 2 or  2NT- 3 asks for a 5 card major period. If the NT opener ( 1NT or 2NT ) does not have a 5 card major then she relays to 2 which now asks responder for the 4 card major !!  The invitational 2NT is not lost as 2 has the same effect . Taking the relay to 2 means exactly 4 or no majors with a 2NT invite . Partner bids 2 with 4 and you bail out to 2NT saying you were just kidding about he spades it’s a 2NT invite ! I invented some of the responses below so the Stans of the world might come up with better bids . The 2 relay opens up a number of possibilities ..

The 2 response to 1NT is a modified version of “puppet” Stayman. Responder must have at least game interest unless he is able to pass opener’s rebid of 2, 2  or 2.

	Call	Meaning
	2	exactly 4 spades or no major interest
	2	exactly 4 hearts
	2NT	4-4 or 5-4 in majors; I
	3	5-4 or 6-4 in majors; GF
	3	4-4 in majors; GF
	3	4-4 in majors , GF , stiff club
	3	4-4 in majors; GF , stiff diamond
	3NT	sign-off (was looking for 5 card major)
	4	Gerber

Memory aid: After the 2relay responder’s next suit bid is always artificial. Note that a 2 or 2bid denies interest in the major bid and denies five cards in the major shown.

*if responder has 4 spades

*If responder has slam interest, he may continue with a minor-suit splinter, opposite major (natural) or key-card Blackwood.

*denies spade fit; 3 NT offers choice of game after heart fit

*If 3 is not available (i.e., if opener bid 3 ) then 3 shows 5+ clubs and 4 shows exactly 4 clubs.

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