Stayman is a convention used for locating a 4-4 major suit fit after partner opens 1NT. It is one of the oldest and most widely used conventions in the world, since a major suit contract is so often preferable to playing in notrumps. A 2 response to 1NT usually shows at least a game-invitational hand with one or both majors. Opener's rebids are:

2	Denies a four-card major
2	Shows four hearts, may have four spades
2	Shows four spades, denies four hearts

Responder's rebids after 2:

2	Shows four spades and five hearts, invitational
2	Shows five spades and four hearts, invitational
2NT	Invitational
3	Game forcing with at least five clubs (usually six), does not guarantee a four-card major
3	Game forcing with at least five diamonds (usually six), does not guarantee a four-card major
3	Shows four spades and five hearts, game forcing
3	Shows five spades and four hearts, game forcing
3NT	Signoff
4	Shows four spades and six hearts, signoff
4	Shows six spades and four hearts, signoff

Responder's rebids after 2:

2	Shows five spades and four hearts, invitational
2NT	Shows four spades, less than four hearts, invitational
3	Game forcing with at least five clubs (usually six), does not guarantee a four-card major
3	Game forcing with at least five diamonds (usually six), does not guarantee a four-card major
3	Shows four hearts, invitational
3	Game forcing with at least five spades and four hearts

Responder's rebids after 2:

2NT	Invitational
3	Game forcing with at least five clubs (usually six), does not guarantee a four-card major
3	Game forcing with at least five diamonds (usually six), does not guarantee a four-card major
3	Shows four spades and five hearts, game forcing
3	Shows four spades, invitational
3NT	Signoff, shows four hearts

In competition:

• If 1NT is doubled for penalty, 2 is a natural signoff, not Stayman.

• If 1NT is overcalled, responder can cue-bid the opponent's suit to ask for a four-card major. If the opponents have overcalled in one major, a cue-bid asks partner for the other major. Opener can rebid 3, if that bid is available, to deny a four-card major; otherwise, he rebids 3NT.

• If 2 is doubled, opener can pass with four clubs and no four-card major. Redouble shows five (or four good) clubs and no four-card major. 2, 2, and 2 are normal responses to Stayman.

• If 2 is overcalled, opener can double for penalty or show a four-card major at the two-level. With all other hands, he passes.