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Puppet Stayman
- Used by responder with at least invitational values to discover whether opener's
Notrump bid may consist of a 5 card major suit.
In the sequence: 2N - 3C
responder's 3C bid
behaves similar to the Stayman convention, but promising at least a 3 card major
suit and at least game invitational values. Using Puppet Stayman, responder
can no longer use treatments like Garbage Stayman to show a bust hand short in
Clubs since opener may jump directly to 3N with a good hand lacking major
support. Note: some extend Puppet Stayman to opener's 1 Notrump (1N - 2C)
as well. However others object to that treatment believing the often
verbose bidding sequences reveal more information to defenders than the supposed
benefit discovering a 5-3 major suit fit. Using Puppet over opener's 1
Notrump bid also permits defenders to Double artificial bids during the
bidding, either for lead direction or possible sacrifice bids.
Classic
Puppet Stayman over 1 Notrump:
Note: Several
variations of Puppet Stayman are in use.
Method 1:
Over Opener's
1N
or 2N
bid, some play responder's 2C or 3C should be used when
holding a 3 card major to find a possible 8 card fit when opener
holds a 5 card major. If opener does not bid the anticipated major, responder
signs off in 3N as:
2N - 3C;
3D - 3N.
Using this method,
Responder bids 4D to show both 4 card majors:
2N - 3C;
3D - 4D.
Method 2 -
classic treatment:
Unlike Method 1
above, responder's 3N rebid promises both 4 cards majors. So
in the sequence:
2N - 3C;
3D - 3N
Opener may correct to a 4 level
major suit game when holding 4 cards in either major.
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1N - 2C;
2H/S
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If 1 Notrump opener has a 5 card major, opener may rebid the
major if responder makes a Notrump response. With 3+ cards in opener's
5 card major suit, responder bids game, etc (may be slam-going).
Otherwise, responder makes appropriate Notrump bid. |
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1N - 2C;
2D |
If the 1 Notrump Opener has 4 cards in a major but no 5 card major, opener begins by bidding
2D
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1N - 2C;
2N |
If 1 Notrump opener does not
have a 5 or 4 card major, opener bids 2N. |
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1N - 2C;
2D - 2H/S |
If the 1 Notrump opener has 4 cards in a major, opener begins by bidding
2D. Next, responder bids 4 card major not held by the
responder (Smolen-like); this allows the stronger opener to become declarer.
Opener may now invite or force game in the other major with the
appropriate fit; otherwise, opener may make the appropriate Notrump
response.
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1N - 2C;
2D - 2N
See Note: |
After the 1 Notrump opener
promises a 4 card major, the responder bids 2N to promise both 4 card
majors.
Note: alternative treatments
exist for partners that use 1N - 2N for other purposes (Minor Suit
Stayman or Four Way Stayman); those players must use the 1N - 2C; 2D - 2N
to show an invitational hand. The alternative treatment may substitute
3C or 3D in place of 2N to show 4-4 in both majors
(others may reserve minor suit rebids to initiate slam invites in the
respective minor suit). |
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1N - 2C;
2D - 3H/S |
When the opener shows a 4 card major and the responder has 4 cards in one
major and 5 cards in the other major, the responder bids the shorter
4 card major at the 3 level - thus allowing the stronger opener to become declarer.
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1N - 2C;
2D - 3N |
When responder does not have a
4 card major, responder signs off in 3N (implying opener does not have a 5
card major where responder does not have a 4 card major) |
Classic
Puppet Stayman over 2 Notrump: Some prefer to play Puppet Stayman only after opener's 2 Notrump
bid.
After Responder
bids 3C (showing game forcing values), Opener bids 3 in the major suit
with a 5 card major, 3D with a 4 card major, otherwise 3N.
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2N - 3C;
3H/S
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If 2 Notrump opener has a 5 card major, opener may rebid the
major if responder makes a Notrump response. With 3+ cards in opener's
5 card major suit, responder bids game, etc (may be slam-going).
Otherwise, responder makes appropriate Notrump bid. |
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2N - 3C;
3D |
If the 2 Notrump opener has 4 cards in a major, opener begins by bidding
3D
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2N - 3C;
3N |
If 2 Notrump opener does not
have a 5 or 4 card major, opener bids 3N. |
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2N - 3C;
3D - 3H/S |
If the 2 Notrump opener has 4 cards in a major, opener begins by bidding
3D. Next, responder bids 4 card major not held by the
responder (Smolen-like); this allows the stronger opener to become declarer.
Opener may now bid game in the other major with the appropriate fit;
otherwise, opener bids 3N.
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2N - 3C;
3D - 4C/D; |
After the 2 Notrump opener's
3D promises a 4 card major, the responder may bid 4C/D to promise
both 4 card majors; some play 4C is slam invitational while 4D
only shows game-going values (slow shows, fast denies). Playing this
treatment, opener can pre-accept bidding 4D to showing Hearts
or 4N to initiate slam ask in Spades. Not
surprisingly, some creative folks reverse the meaning of 4C and 4D. |
Simplified
Puppet Stayman over 1 Notrump: An alternative treatment is the simplified Puppet Stayman
convention, credited to Marty Bergen; responder promises game-going values using this method.
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1N - 3C; |
Like its
big brother, the 3C Puppet Stayman asks opener to bid a 5 card major
or bid 3D holding a 4 card major. |
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1N - 3C;
3D |
If the 1 Notrump Opener has 4 cards in a major, Opener begins by bidding
3D
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1N - 3C;
3N |
If 1 Notrump opener does not
have a 5 or 4 card major, Opener bids 3N. |
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1N - 3C;
3D - 3H/S |
If the 1 Notrump opener has 4 cards in a major, opener begins by bidding
3D. Next, responder bids 4 card major not held by the
responder (Smolen-like); this allows the stronger opener to become declarer.
Opener may now bid game in the other major with the appropriate fit;
otherwise, opener bids 3N.
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