The Stayman 2 response to an opening 1NT bid is the most widely used convention
in bridge.
The most popular contemporary version is known as "non-forcing"
Stayman.
The non-forcing part does not refer to the 2 bid itself (opener must
reply to it) but rather to the fact that the 2 response needn't be very strong,
with responder making no commitment to bid a second time.
The 1NT opener is
asked to respond to the question, "do you have a four-card major?"
He is
restricted to the following replies:
1) 2, artificial, denies a four-card major.
2) 2, shows four (occasionally five) hearts and does not preclude four spades.
3) 2, shows four spades but denies four hearts (else respond N° 2).
Responder's most common continuations:
-
Pass (including a pass of the "no major" 2 response): shows support but denies
as much as 8-9 points (i.e. game-invitational strength.
-
Two of a major: Encouraging but not forcing; at least a five-card suit.
-
2NT: shows invitational strength and implies four cards in an unbid major(s);
after a 2 reply by opener, responder's 2NT may conceal a five-card heart suit (because
3 would be forcing).
-
Three of a minor: Natural, game-forcing (often with slam interest), at least
five cards in the suit.
-
Three of an unbid major: at least five cards, forcing to game.
-
Three of opener's bid major: Encouraging but not forcing, with at least four-card
support.
-
Game or slam bids: signoffs.
-
Four-level jumps in new suits over 2 or 2: slam tries agreeing opener's major
(some prefer to do this only with shortage in the jump-suit); over 2: there is
no standard treatment; choose something that appeals to you.
Opener Responder 1NT 2 2 ?
Opener's 1NT promises 15-17 HCP. What would you bid next as responder with each
of the following hands after opener's 2 reply to your Stayman 2?
a) |
KJ1054 |
1092 |
A43 |
76 |
b) |
KQ62 |
A63 |
KJ1098 |
7 |
c) |
K975 |
J3 |
Q1053 |
QJ6 |
Solutions:
a) 2. Invitational with five spades. Opener may pass, raise to
3 or 4, or bid
2NT or 3NT, depending on his strength and the degree of his spade support.
b) 3. Natural, forcing to game. Opener may sign off in 3NT, show a four-card
spade suit, rebid a five-card heart suit, or move forward with support for
diamonds and a hand willing to go past 3NT.
c) 2NT. Invitational with four cards in the unbid major. Opener may pass or
correct to 3 (with four of those) with minimum values, or accept the invitation
by bidding 3NT or 4. Some would jump to 3NT with this 9-point hand that has two
fair four-card suits. It's a close decision. |