Stayman Convention - Five Card Major Stayman

Five Card Major Stayman

As described by Australian Ron Klinger, it can be played with a weak or strong 1NT.

1NT - 2♣

  • 2 = minimum, no 5M
  • 2M = minimum, 5M
  • 2NT = Maximum, no 5M
  • 3M = Maximum, 5M

1NT - 2♣, 2 OR 2NT

  • 3♣ = Stayman
  • 3 = --> ♥
  • 3♥ = --> ♠
  • 3♠ = ?
  • 3NT = to play

After a transfer, accept it with any 4333, bid 3NT with only two trumps, otherwise bid 4M.

1NT - 2♣, 2 OR 2NT - 3♣ = Stayman

  • 3 = 4M333
  • 3♥ = 4♥, not 4333
  • 3♠ = 4♠, not 4333, not 4♥
  • 3NT = no 4M

1NT - 2♣, (2 OR 2NT) - 3♣, 3

  • 3♥ = 4♠, not 4♥
  • 3♠ = 4♥, not 4♠
  • 3NT = to play
  • 4 = bid your 4 card Major

An alternative, simpler version of 5 card Stayman is:

1NT - 2♣

  • 2 = No 5M
  • 2M = 5M

This structure permits use by weak hands with 5+ diamonds and 2+ cards in each major.

After 1NT - 2♣, 2

  • 2M = 4M invitational
  • 2NT = invitational, no major
  • 3M = 4M game-forcng

With a five-card major, responder begins with a transfer. After completion of the transfer, bidding the other major at the three level shows four cards in it and a game forcing hand, in line with the 1NT - 2♣, 2 structure above (1NT - 2, 2♥ - 2♠ = invitational 5♥-4♠).

Read more about this topic:  Stayman Convention

Famous quotes containing the words card and/or major:

    I must save this government if possible. What I cannot do, of course I will not do; but it may as well be understood, once for all, that I shall not surrender this game leaving any available card unplayed.
    Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)

    Self-centeredness is a natural outgrowth of one of the toddler’s major concerns: What is me and what is mine...? This is why most toddlers are incapable of sharing ... to a toddler, what’s his is what he can get his hands on.... When something is taken away from him, he feels as though a piece of him—an integral piece—is being torn from him.
    Lawrence Balter (20th century)