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INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 17

THE STAYMAN CONVENTION

Review of Responses to 1NT Opening Bids When Holding a Balanced Hand: (Count only HCP’s)

The following is based upon a 15‑17 HCP opening bid by partner and 26,33, & 37 point plateaus.

a. 0‑ 8 HCP's = Pass

b. 9-10 HCP's = Bid 2NT inviting partner to pass with a minimum (15 HCP's) and to proceed to game with a

maximum (16‑17 HCP's)

c. 11‑15 HCP's = Bid 3NT (Sign‑off)

d. 16‑17 HCP's = Bid 4NT inviting partner to pass with a minimum (15 HCP's) and to proceed to 6NT with a

maximum (16‑17 HCP's) ‑ Note: 6NT will rarely make even with 33 HCP's unless one member of the team

has a 5‑card suit.

e. 18‑19 HCP's = Bid 6NT (Sign‑off)

f. 20‑21 HCP's = Bid 5NT demanding partner bid 6NT with a minimum (15 HCP's) and to proceed to 7NT

with a maximum (16‑17 HCP's)

g. 22‑23 HCP's = Bid 7NT

Review of Responses to 1NT Opening Bids When Holding an Unbalanced Hand:

(Count Distributional and HCP’s)

a. 0‑ 8 Points = Pass (Unless hand is terribly distributional and then the fewer the HCP's the better it be to bid

two of a suit (Sign-off) requesting pass by partner

b. 9-15 Points = Bid 3 of any suit forcing partner to bid to game either in your bid suit or into 3NT. (Could

also bid 4H or 4S directly if holding a 6‑card suit since opening 1NT hand promises at least 2 of any suit.

c. 16 Points or more = Consider the possibility of slam.

THE STAYMAN CONVENTION

Definition: ‑ The Artificial bid of “2C” over partner's opening bid of 1NT (or alternatively “3C” over partner’s opening of 2NT) asks the NT opener for a 4‑card major suit.

Notes:

1. The Stayman Convention is used only with a 4-Card Major suit looking for a 4‑Card Major suit fit. Jacoby Transfer bids are used with a 5‑Card suit looking for a 3‑Card fit.

2. If the Combined hands have 26‑28 HCP's the hand plays better in 4 of the Major. If the Combined hands have 29-32 HCP's the hand plays better in 3NT not‑with‑standing the potential 8‑Card Major suit fit.

3. The artificial bids of “2C’ over a 1NT opening bid, or of “3C” over a 2NT opening bid, both signifying the Stayman Convention, do not need to be alerted despite the artificial nature of the call. This is due to the fact that the Convention is almost universally accepted as the norm.

4. The opening bidder responds “2D” over “2C” or “3D” over “3C” to signify “NO 4-CARD MAJOR” or alternatively 2H or 2S (3H or 3S), up the ladder, to signify a 4-Card Heart or Spade holding.

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THE STAYMAN CONVENTION

OPENER RESPONDER MEANING OF RESPONDER’S LAST BID

1NT “2C”

“2D” 2H/2S A sign-off promising a 5-card suit

1NT “2C An invitational bid showing 9-10 HCP’s. with a

“2D”/2H/2S 2NT 4-card alternative Major holding. Partner can correct to

the other Major if appropriate

1NT “2C” An invitational bid showing support for partner’s

2H/2S 3H/3S 4-card Major. Invites opener to game with a maximum

holding of 16-17 HCP’s

1NT “2C” A sign-off acceptance of partner’s Major suit with no

2H/2S 4H/4S interest in Slam

1NT “2C” A sign-off unable to find a 4-4 fit in the desired Major suit

“2D”/2H/2S 3NT Partner can correct to four of the alternate Major

suit if appropriate

1NT “2C” A sign-off showing a 5- or 6-card Minor suit with no game

“2D”/2H/2S 3C/3D interest and no Major suit interest

1NT “2C” The Gerber Convention asking for Aces

“2D”/2H/2S “4C”

1NT “2C” A natural quantitative bid requiring opener to pass with a

“2D”/2H/2S 4NT minimum of 15 HCP’s and to proceed to 6NT with a maximum

of 16-17 HCP’s