Bidding Conventions >

Stayman


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 often preferable to no-trumps. A 2 response to 1NT normally shows at least a game-invitational hand with one or both majors.

Some examples of game-invitational (or stronger) hands opposite a 15-17 1NT:

SA987
HAT84
D532
CQT
      SKQJ52
HQ432
DT97
CJ
      SQJ32
HAQ987
D5
CT32
      SKJT3
HK4
DA532
C742


Opener's rebids

After 1NT: 2, 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. Non-forcing.
2 Shows five spades and four hearts, invitational. Non-forcing.
2NT Invitational.
3Game forcing with at least five clubs (usually six), does not guarantee a four-card major.
3Game forcing with at least five diamonds (usually six), does not guarantee a four-card major.
3Shows four spades and five hearts, game forcing.
3Shows five spades and four hearts, game forcing.
3NTSignoff.
4Shows four spades and six hearts, signoff.
4Shows six spades and four hearts, signoff.
4NTQuantitative, invites 6NT.


Responder's rebids after 2

2 Shows five spades and four hearts, invitational. Non-forcing.
2NT Shows four spades, less than four hearts, invitational. Opener can pass, sign off in 3 with four spades, or bid 3NT.
3Game forcing with at least five clubs (usually six), does not guarantee a four-card major.
3Game forcing with at least five diamonds (usually six), does not guarantee a four-card major.
3Shows four hearts, invitational.
3Game forcing with at least five spades and four hearts.
4Signoff.
4NTQuantitative, invites 6NT.


Responder's rebids after 2

2NTInvitational.
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.
4Signoff.
4NTQuantitative, invites 6NT.


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.


Other Considerations

  • Stayman is usually not used with 4333 shape, since this distribution tends to be more conducive to playing in no-trumps.

  • In his book "50 Winning Duplicate Tips", Australian expert Ron Klinger recommends bypassing Stayman with a balanced 4432 when holding a combined 28-30 HCP. At pairs, the no-trump contract will typically yield the same number of tricks as a major-suit game, and offers an extra 10 points (e.g. 660 vs. 650).

  • Stayman is also used after a 1NT overcall, opening bids of 2NT or 3NT, and notrump rebids after a opening 2C (artificial and strong) bid.

    2NT : 3

    3NT : 4

    2 : 2
    2NT : 3

    2 : 2
    3NT: 4

  • Stayman is also used when responder is interested in a minor-suit slam but does NOT have a 4-card major. With a 5+ clubs or diamonds and 10+ HCP, responder can bid 2 Stayman, planning to rebid his minor suit naturally.


Examples

OpenerResponder
KT93SAJ5
HAKJ3QT52
DJ8A5
CA529763

Opener
1NT
2 (2)
Pass
Responder
2 (1)
4 (3)

  1. Stayman
  2. Showing four hearts
  3. Signing off in game


OpenerResponder
KT93SAJ53
HAKJ3Q5
DT8Q652
CA52976

Opener
1NT
2 (2)
3 (4)
Responder
2 (1)
2NT (3)

  1. Stayman
  2. Showing four hearts
  3. Inviting game
  4. Showing four spades, signing off. Opener knows responder must hold four spades to have bid Stayman.


OpenerResponder
KJ2SQ965
HQT7AK543
DAK97Q6
CA64T9

Opener
1NT
2 (2)
4 (4)
Responder
2 (1)
2 (3)
Pass

  1. Stayman
  2. Denying a four-card major
  3. Showing five hearts and four spades
  4. Bidding game with a maximum


OpenerResponder
K52SQ9
HAQ97KT
DAK54Q93
C76AKT982

Opener
1NT
2 (2)
3NT (4)
Responder
2 (1)
3 (3)
Pass

  1. Stayman
  2. Showing four hearts
  3. Showing 5+ clubs, game-forcing
  4. Signing off with poor club support


Origins

Stayman is named for the late American expert Sam Stayman. The convention was actually invented by his partner George Rapee in 1944, but it was Stayman who popularized the convention shortly thereafter.