Bidding and conventions
Stayman
Stayman is the first convention almost every bridge player learns, and the one nearly every partnership plays. It asks a single question after partner opens 1NT: do you have a four-card major?
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 cannot find that fit. Responder cannot bid a four-card major themselves — partner might have two, and a 4-2 fit is a disaster.
So the question has to be asked instead of guessed at, and 2♣ is the cheapest bid whose natural meaning nobody wanted.
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. Usually. There is one common exception, below.
- 8 or more points — enough to invite game. With less, and a balanced hand, just 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 are going to game; Stayman finds out which one.
Opener's three answers, and what you do next
2♦ — no four-card major
An artificial denial. It says nothing about diamonds, and responder must not pass it with a genuine 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 is the major you hold, you have 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 is the other major — you asked holding hearts and partner showed spades — then 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
There is one hand type that uses Stayman with almost no points at all — sometimes called garbage or drop-dead Stayman. It requires 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.
The logic is that you intend to pass whatever opener says. 1NT with a club void and nothing to lead is a poor contract; two of anything else, in a fit of at least seven cards, is 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
This is where the convention actually costs partnerships 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 cannot, and it makes the strong hand declarer.
- With 4-3-3-3 shape and a flat hand. A 4-3-3-3 hand takes the same number of tricks in notrump as in a suit, because there is nothing to ruff. You gain nothing and you have told the opponents where a major suit lives.
- With a weak hand and no club shortage. If you cannot pass every answer and cannot invite game, you have no plan. Pass 1NT.
- With a long minor and slam ambitions. Stayman starts an auction about majors. If your hand is about diamonds, start an auction about diamonds.
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 is also used after a 2♣ opening rebid into 2NT, on the same principle.