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You are here: Experts > Games > Card Games > Bridge & other card games > stayman
Expert: Unhunk
Date: 5/11/2008
Subject: stayman
Question
1NT- opening 12-15
Partner has 1 -4card (hearts)8 points... bids 2 clubs
(stayman) ( his hand=SS HHHH DDDD CC )
opener bids his 4 card suit ... 2 Spades!
What is responder's bid at this point??????
( problem..if he bids 2 NT it guarantees 4 spades in hand and opener goes on to 3 spades.)
Since this option is not available, what is partner's next bid?
HELP!
Answer
Hi,
First of all a responder should only use Stayman over 1NT if his hand is at least worth a game invitation. That means that over a 12-15 point 1NT, responder should have at minimum 11 points or at worst a good 10 points. That way if no major suit is found and the partnership is forced to play in 2NT there will be sufficient combined values to make that a reasonable contract and the partnership will not get too high.
The answer to your question is that with 8 points and a balanced hand, responder should just pass 1NT even if he does have a 4 card major (with a 5 card or longer major, though, he can use Jacoby Transfers).
Also, in the situation you gave, opener showed a 4 card spade suit. If responder had 4 spades he would be happy to play in spades, after all that is what he was asking about. He would therefore definitely not bid 2NT. Over 2S, a bid of 2NT would deny having 4 spades and show a game invitational hand. A bid of 3NT would deny 4 spades and be strong enough to bid game. If responder did have 4 spades he would bid 3S with game invitational strength or 4S with a stronger hand. With a weaker hand, though, just pass 1NT.
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