Keyboard shortcuts

Press ← or → to navigate between chapters

Press S or / to search in the book

Press ? to show this help

Press Esc to hide this help

Weak 1NT

This bidding system has a weak notrump opening. This opening can be made with a 5-card major. All the possible distributions are:

  • 2–4♠, 2–4♥, 2–5♦, 2–5♣
  • Any (5332)

BTU Stayman 2♣ not only asks for a 4-card major but also takes care of invitational 5= spades. Puppet Stayman 3♣ forces to game and queries 5 and 4-card majors.

1NT-BAL 13–15
2♣!(Garbage) STAY or INV 5=♠
2♦!TRF, 5+♥
2♥!TRF, 5+♠
2♠!6+♣ or QUANT INV
2NT!5+♦, 4+♣ or 6+♦
3♣!PUP STAY
3♦!INV+, 5+♠, 5+♥
3♥!SPL, 0–1♥, 0–3♠, 4–6♦, 4–6♣
3♠!SPL, 0–1♠, 0–3♥, 4–6♦, 4–6♣
3NTS/O
4♣!TRF, 6+♥, South African Texas
4♦!TRF, 6+♠, South African Texas
4♥♠S/O
4NTQUANT INV to 6NT, NF
5NTQUANT INV to 7NT, F

Picking the better Stayman

Both Staymans come into range when responder has game-forcing values.

  • 5+ 4+ majors: Stayman 2♣ wins via subsequent Smolen transfers.
  • 4− 3− majors: Only Puppet Stayman 3♣ finds 5-3 fits.
  • Balanced 4-4 majors: The lower 2♣ allows playing 3NT if opener is (4333).
  • Unbalanced 4-4 majors: Anything goes.

Discussion on bidding 5-5 majors

  • Weak: Transfer to the better major suit. Give up on the other one.
  • Invitational: Bid 3♦.
  • Choice of games: Bid 3♦ most of the time. Transfer to spades and then bid 4♥ if you prefer 4♠ > 4♥ > 3NT.
  • Slam try: Transfer to spades and then bid 3♥.

Minor suit transfers

1NT-2♠-6+♣ or QUANT INV
2NTMIN
3♣!MAX, 1–3♣
3♣-3♦!FG PUP STAY
3♣-3♥♠!SPL, 0–1#
3♦♥♠!MAX, 4–6♣, good stopper
1NT-2NT-5+♦, 4+♣ or 6+♦
3♣!1–2♦
3♦3–4♦
3♥♠!5–6♦, good stopper
3NT!5–6♦, good ♣ stopper

Puppet Stayman at 3♣

1NT-3♣-PUP STAY
3♦!2–4♠, 2–4♥
3♦-3♥!Smolen TRF, 4=♠
3♦-3♠!Smolen TRF, 4=♥
3♦-3NTS/O
3♦-4♣!S/T, 44(xx)
3♦-4♦!COG, 44(xx)
3♥♠5=#