Stayman — BidMaestro

The question

Over partner’s 1NT, a response of 2♣ says nothing about clubs. It asks opener for a four-card major, because a 4-4 major fit usually plays a trick better than notrump. Responder uses it holding at least one four-card major, some shape, and invitational values or better — about 8 or more points — enough that finding the fit matters. (A perfectly flat 4-3-3-3 hand skips Stayman and raises notrump.)

Opener answers

Opener must choose one of exactly three replies, never notrump:

2♦: No four-card major.
2♥: Four (or more) hearts and possibly four spades as well.
2♠: Four (or more) spades, denying four hearts.

With both majors opener bids 2♥ first; if that finds no fit, the spade fit can still come to light on the next round.

Responder places the contract

Having heard the answer, responder shows strength and fit together:

Raise the major: With a fit: to the three level to invite game, or straight to four to play.
2NT / 3NT: With no fit: 2NT invites and 3NT is game.
Three of the other major: A slam-going “power raise” that confirms the fit and asks opener to start showing controls, rather than shutting the auction in game.

With a weak hand

One weak hand also bids 2♣: a hand short in clubs (a singleton or void) with support for every other suit. It is willing to pass any reply, 2♦ included, to escape a misfitting 1NT into a suit. It promises nothing in high cards. Two related weak treatments extend this idea further: Garbage Stayman and Crawling Stayman, for weak 4-4 major hands that cannot comfortably sit for 2♦.

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