Bidding and conventions
Stayman
Stayman is a 2♣ response to partner's 1NT opening that asks whether opener holds a four-card major. It is used to find a 4-4 major fit, and it is usually the first convention a new player learns.
Why it exists
A 1NT opening shows a balanced hand of 15–17 points, and balanced hands frequently contain a four-card major. If responder holds four of that major, the partnership has an eight-card fit.
An eight-card major fit is worth playing in: it usually takes one more trick than notrump on the same cards, because the trumps let you ruff losers. And 4♥ outscores 3NT.
Natural bidding can't find that fit. Responder can't bid a four-card major themselves, because partner might have two, and a 4-2 fit plays badly.
So responder asks instead, using 2♣, the cheapest response available. A natural 2♣ response is rarely missed.
When to use it
You need two things: a four-card major, and enough strength to do something useful with the answer.
- At least one four-card major. There's one common exception, covered below.
- 8 or more points, enough to invite game. With less and a balanced hand, pass 1NT.
9 points and four spades. Ask; if partner has four spades you belong in a spade contract.
14 points and both majors. You're going to game, and Stayman finds out whether to play in a major or notrump.
Opener's three answers, and what you do next
2♦: no four-card major
An artificial denial. It says nothing about diamonds, and responder mustn't pass it with a real hand.
- 8–9 points: bid 2NT, inviting. Opener passes with 15 and bids game with 16–17.
- 10+ points: bid 3NT.
2♥ or 2♠: a four-card major
If it's the major you hold, you've found your fit:
- 8–9 points: raise to three of the major. Invitational; opener passes or bids game.
- 10+ points: raise straight to four.
If it's the other major (you asked holding hearts and partner showed spades), you have no fit in that suit. Bid notrump at the level your strength justifies, exactly as after 2♦.
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1NT | |||
| Pass | 2♣ | Pass | 2♥ |
| Pass | 4♥ | Pass | Pass |
| Pass |
Garbage Stayman: the one weak-hand exception
One hand type uses Stayman with almost no points at all. It's sometimes called garbage or drop-dead Stayman, and it needs shortness in clubs and length in everything else, typically 4-4-4-1 or 4-4-5-0.
Whatever partner answers, you pass. Any of 2♦, 2♥ or 2♠ plays better than 1NT with a club void.
You pass whatever opener says. 1NT is a poor contract when dummy has a club void and almost no points; two of a suit, in a fit of at least seven cards, plays better. This only works when you can pass every possible answer, which is why the club shortage is the requirement.
When not to use Stayman
On these hands Stayman gains nothing or loses points:
- With a five-card major. Use a Jacoby transfer instead (2♦ for hearts, 2♥ for spades). A transfer finds the fit with five cards opposite three, which Stayman can't, and it makes the strong hand declarer.
- With 4-3-3-3 shape and a flat hand. A 4-3-3-3 hand usually takes the same number of tricks in notrump as in a suit, because there is nothing to ruff. You gain nothing, and you've told the opponents about your major.
- With a weak hand and no club shortage. If you can't pass every answer and aren't strong enough to invite game, pass 1NT.
- With a long minor and slam ambitions. Stayman asks about majors. Use your partnership's methods for showing the minor instead.
Over a 2NT opening
The same convention works one level up: after 2NT (20–21 balanced), 3♣ is Stayman, with the same three answers at the three level. It's also used after a 2♣ opening and a 2NT rebid.