Bridge Conventions

Stayman – Stayman[1] is a system used by responder after an opening bid of 1Nt, 2Nt or most natural Nt bidding sequences[2] to find four‑four major suit fits and right side[3] the play of the hand. Major suit contracts usually play better than Nt contracts with an 8‑card fit. After an opening bid of 1Nt (showing a balanced hand and specifying a point range such as 15-17 hcp), responder’s bid of 2♣ is conventional, saying nothing about clubs, asking opener if he has a 4‑card major suit (four ♠ or four ♥). As responder’s use of Stayman (2♣) commits the partnership to at least 2Nt, responder needs an invitational hand (8‑9 hcp) or better and at least one 4‑card major suit.

After an opening bid of 1Nt and a 2♣ bid by responder, asking opener if he has a 4‑card major, a response to Stayman will allow opener to show a 4‑card major by naming the denomination (2♠ or 2♥) or denying a 4‑card major (2♦). Most responses to Stayman are standard, but variations can be employed. After a Stayman bidding sequence, the second bid by responder will support/deny a fit with opener and show the size of responder’s hand.

While almost all conventional bids must be announced/alerted, because of its common usage, Stayman is specifically excluded from the ACBL Alert Procedures.

Most conventions and/or systems are subject to different usage and interpretations; while Stayman is fairly standard, some usage may vary. The following analysis and tables are based on common elements of published versions of Stayman. In application, it is imperative to have a partnership agreement on the use of Stayman.

A Stayman bidding sequence of 1Nt - 2♣ shows that responder holds a game invitational hand (8-9 hcp) or better & at least one 4‑card major and asks opener if he also has a 4‑card major.

Stayman – Opener’s 2^nd Bid © Fred E. Ferguson, 2004
After 1Nt - 2♣ Opener Holds	Opener’s 2^nd Bid (Denies bids above.)	Explanation of Opener’s 2^nd Bid
No 4‑card major.	2♦	Opener does not hold a 4‑card major.
Four ♥	2♥	Opener holds four ♥ and may also hold four ♠.
Four ♠	2♠	Opener holds four ♠ but does not hold four ♥.
NO OTHER RESPONSES ARE ALLOWED.
*Stayman is not alertable! Responses are natural. Stayman should be used over a double.*

Principles of 1Nt Bidding: After partner opens 1Nt showing a balanced hand (no singletons, no voids, and not more than one doubleton) with 15-17 hcp such as: ♠KJ97 ♥AQ73 ♦Q107 ♣A8, responder has captaincy of the auction and needs to guide the partnership into the correct contract. With a weak hand of 0-7 hcp and balanced shape, responder should pass and let partner play in a 1Nt contract. With an unbalanced shape, responder can make a natural bid or conventional bid as a ‘drop dead’ bid to get partner into a long suit contract. With an invitational hand of 8-9 hcp, responder should make a natural bid or conventional bid (such as Stayman) to explore a partnership fit and give opener an option to bid game. Opener should deny game with minimum values (15 to a bad 16 hcp) and accept game with maximum values (good 16 to bad 18 hcp). With a strong hand of 10-14 hcp, responder has the responsibility to reach game. Through the use of natural or conventional bids responder should explore for a fit, but should make sure the partnership reaches game. With an Nt size hand of his own (15-17 hcp), responder should explore for slam.

On the second bid responder quantifies his hand. After a Stayman bidding sequence of 1Nt - 2♣ and Opener’s 2^nd bid, responder will support or deny a fit with opener and show the size of her hand.

Stayman – Responder’s 2^nd Bid © Fred E. Ferguson, 2004
After 1Nt - 2♣ and Opener Bids	Responder’s 2^nd Bid	Explanation of Responder’s 2^nd Bid and Opener’s 3^rd Bid.
Opener bids 2♦ denying a 4‑card major.	w/ 8-9 hcp 2Nt	2Nt shows and invitational hand. Opener should pass with minimum values or bid 3Nt with maximum values.
Opener bids 2♦ denying a 4‑card major.	w/ 10-14 hcp 3Nt	3Nt shows game forcing values and no interest in slam. Opener must pass.
Opener bids 2M (2♠ or 2♥) - your major.	w/ 8-9 hcp 3M (3♠ or 3♥)	3M shows and invitational hand and support for opener’s major. Opener should pass with minimum values or bid game with maximum values.
Opener bids 2M (2♠ or 2♥) - your major.	w/ 10-14hcp 4M (4♠ or 4♥)	4M shows game forcing values and support for opener’s major and no interest in slam. Opener must pass.
Opener bids 2M - the wrong major.	w/ 8-9 hcp 2Nt	2Nt shows an invitational hand and four of other major (“OM”). Opener should pass with minimum values or bid 3Nt with maximum values. If opener originally bids 2♥ and also has four ♠, he should correct to 3♠ with minimum values or 4♠ with maximum values.
Opener bids 2M - the wrong major.	w/ 10-14 hcp 3Nt	3Nt shows game forcing values and no interest in slam. Opener should pass or bid 4OM if he also has four of other major.
Any bid by responder beyond game signifies slam interest.

Remember Bridge should be fun!

Fred E. Ferguson

See ACBL Alert Procedures PART II: Conventions, 1) Stayman; ACBL: The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (ISBN: 0‑943855‑44‑6) pp. 440-441; Root & Pavlicek: Modern Bridge Conventions (ISBN 0-517-88429-1) pp. 2-7; Seagram: 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know (ISBN 1-894154-07-X): pp. 13-20. Also see Smolen, Jacoby Transfers, and Four‑Way Transfers. Thanks to my friend and partner Marty Nathan for his review and comments of this analysis.

C:\Fred\Bridge\Conventions\Stayman\Stayman.doc