Minor Suit Stayman
Rev: August 28, 2000
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Minor
Suit Stayman is a device that allows a partnership to look for a minor-suit fit
after an opening bid of 1NT or 2NT. Presupposing the use of Jacoby Transfers,
the 2S
response to 1NT is no longer needed and can be
used to ask opener to bid a four-card minor suit. Assuming the partnership is
playing a strong no-trump, the 2S
bid shows 9+ points and usually promises at
least 4-5 or 5-4 in the minors. Minor Suit Stayman is off in competition.
A. 2S Over 1NT
Opener's
responses to 2S
are:
 | 2NT:
A minimum hand with no four-card minor |
| 3C
:
A minimum hand with a four-card club suit |
| 3D
: A minimum hand with a four-card diamonds
suit |
|
3H
:
Showing (or asking) for a heart stopper, depending on agreement. Opener may
have a four-card minor but is looking for 3NT |
| 3S
: Showing (or asking) for a spade stopper,
depending on agreement. Opener may have a four-card minor but is looking for
3NT |
| 3NT:
A maximum hand with no four-card minor |
| 4C
: A maximum hand with a four-card club suit |
| 4D
: A maximum hand with a four-card diamond
suit |
| 4H:
Shows slam interest in Clubs or NT (max hand, 5-card club suit) |
| 4S:
Shows slam interest in Diamonds or NT (max hand, 5-card diamond suit) |
Responder's
rebids are:
| Pass:
Minimum hand |
| 3C
: At least a five-card suit; non-forcing. |
|
3D
:
At least a five-card suit; non-forcing over 2NT but forcing over 3C
|
| 3H
/3S
: Respective splinters: |
| 3NT:
Signoff |
|
4C
:
Invitational if partner bid 3
; strong and forcing otherwise. |
| 4D
: Invitational if partner bid 3
; strong and forcing otherwise. |
B. 3S Over 2NT
Responder's
Requirements:
|
Slam
interest with at least 5/4 shape in the minors |
Opener's
responses to 3S
are:
| 3NT:
No four-card minor |
|
4C
:
Four-card club suit |
|
4D
:
Four-card diamonds suit |
| 4H:
Shows slam interest in Clubs or NT (max hand, 5-card club suit) |
| 4S:
Shows slam interest in Diamonds or NT (max hand, 5-card diamond suit) |
Responder's
rebids are:
|
Pass/3NT
- will play there. |
|
4NT/3NT
- Quantitative |
|
4C/3NT
- Gerber |
|
5C/4C
or 5D/4D - Sign off |
|
5C/3NT
or 5D/3NT - Sign off. |
|
4NT/4H
or 4NT/4S - RKC Blackwood in clubs or diamonds (to decide between small or
grand slam) |
|
6C
or 6D to play |