Stayman applies in many situations:
Standard
| Partner |
Response |
| 1NT |
2♣ (Stayman) |
| 2NT |
3♣ (Stayman) |
Overcall
| Opponent |
Partner |
Response to partner |
| 1♣ |
1NT |
2♣ (Stayman) |
| 1♦ |
1NT |
2♣ (Stayman) |
| 1♥ |
1NT |
2♣ (Stayman) |
| 1♠ |
1NT |
2♣ (Stayman) |
Stolen Bid Recovery
| Partner |
Opponent |
Response |
Exception |
| 1NT |
2♣ |
Double (Stayman) |
(if opponents 2♣ shows both majors (e.g. Landy) then System is off |
Delayed No Trump Opening
| Partner |
Response |
Advance |
2nd Response |
| 2♣ |
2♦ |
2NT |
3♣ (Stayman) |
Double Interference
With double interference system is on
| Partner |
Opponent |
Response |
| 1NT |
Double |
2♣ (Stayman) |
| 2NT |
Double |
3♣ (Stayman) |
Smolen
game forcing response when 5-4 in the majors
1NT opening
| Opener’s Response to Stayman (ie 1NT-2♣-) |
Smolen Advance |
Explanation |
| 2♥ |
4♥ |
8 or 9 card major match found |
| 2♠ |
4♠ |
8 or 9 card major match found |
| 2♦ |
3♥ (the shorter major) |
shows exactly 4♥, 5♠ |
| 2♦ |
3♠ (the shorter major) |
shows exactly 4♠, 5♥ |
2NT opening
| Opener’s Response to Stayman (ie 2NT-3♣-) |
Smolen Advance |
Explanation |
| 3♥ |
4♥ |
8 or 9 card major match found |
| 3♠ |
4♠ |
8 or 9 card major match found |
| 3♦ |
3♥* (the shorter major) |
shows exactly 4♥, 5♠ |
| 3♦ |
3♠* (the shorter major) |
shows exactly 4♠, 5♥ |
*note there is no jump in the 2NT opening case, as this would preclude a final contract of 3NT. So Garbage Stayman cannot be used over 2NT, as the bids needed are lost to Smolen in preference.
Garbage Stayman
attempt to find major match when weak and 5-4 in the majors
| Stayman Response |
Advance |
Explanation |
| 2♥ |
pass |
8 or 9 card major match found |
| 2♠ |
pass |
8 or 9 card major match found |
| 2♦ |
2♥ (the longer major) |
shows 5♥, 4♠ |
| 2♦ |
2♠ (the longer major) |
shows 5♠, 4♥ |
note Garbage Stayman doesn’t apply over 2NT (as the bids needed are lost to Smolen)
Long (6+) Minor, 4 Card Major, Game-forcing
Example Hand
♠ QJ73
♥ 96
♦ 5
♣ AK9862
| Stayman Response |
Rebid |
Meaning |
| 2♦ |
3♣ |
6♣, 4 of a major, forcing. Partner will probably bid 3NT, but may pursue ♣ |
| 2♥ |
3♣ |
6♣, 4 spades. Partner may choose NT, spades (may still have 4), or clubs |
| 2♠ |
4♠ |
match found (6 card minor not mentioned) |
Slam Interest (jump in the other major)
Example Hand (partner opens 1NT)
♠ AKJ3
♥ A3
♦ J965
♣ Q83
| Stayman Response |
Rebid |
Meaning |
| 2♦ |
3NT |
No match. Too weak for quantitative invite (see below). |
| 2♥ |
3NT |
4♠s. No match (yet). Too weak for quantitative invite. Slam prospecting can be re-initated with a cue-bid if partner follows up 4♠ |
| 2♠ |
3♥ |
Artificial. 4♠ slam interest, start cuebidding if interested |
Slam Interest (quantitative invite)
Example Hand (partner opens 1NT, slightly stronger than above)
♠ AKJ3
♥ A3
♦ Q965
♣ Q83
| Stayman Response |
Rebid |
Meaning |
| 2♦ |
4NT |
Invite to 6NT (not Blackwood as no suit established) |
| 2♥ |
4NT |
No match (as declined to bid 3♠). Invite to 6NT (not Blackwood as no match) |