Namyats

Namyats is a convention for distinguishing weak and strong 4/ opening bids. It uses 4 and 4 opening bids to show strong hands with hearts and spades, respectively. This can help responder gauge his hand when considering whether to bid. The philosophy is that improving your slam-sniffing toolset is more important than 4-level minor suit preempts (the latter often inviting the opponents to bid 4-of-a-major anyway).

Opening	Meaning
4	7+ strong hearts and 8-9 tricks. Example: AJ KQJT9432 KQ 3
4	7+ strong spades and 8-9 tricks. Example: AKQT876 K5 A2 63
4	7+ hearts and 7-8 tricks. Weaker than 4. Example: 98 AQT87532 A J3
4	7+ spades and 7-8 tricks. Weaker than 4. Example: AKJ65432 Q32 J T

Note that other opening bids are also possible with similar one-suited hands:

Opening	Meaning
1/	Natural. Used when the hand is too weak to open at the 4-level (e.g. only a 5-card major suit).
2	Playing Standard American methods, this is strong and artificial. Used when the hand is too strong to use Namyats.
2/	Playing Standard American methods, these bids are weak two-bids - preemptive.
3/	Playing Standard American methods, these bids are also preemptive.

In response to 4

Response	Meaning
4	Artificial relay, showing slam interest in hearts. Opener is expected to clarify his hand.
4	Signoff, showing no interest in slam. Opener is expected to pass.
4	Natural, showing a big one-suited hand in spades. Very rare. Not forcing.

In response to 4

Bid	Meaning
4	Artificial relay, showing slam interest in spades. Opener is expected to clarify his hand.
4	Signoff, showing no interest in slam. Opener is expected to pass.

In response to 4/

Responder may make a conventional reply like 4NT Blackwood, 5NT Grand Slam Force, etc. These responses are based on partnership agreement.

There are many flavors of Namyats used after a 4/ relay. The simplest approach is:

• After a 4/ relay from responder, a 4/ bid by opener is a natural signoff.
• All other bids are natural or follow partnership agreements (e.g. cue bids, 4NT Blackwood, etc.).

Typically, a double by the opponents of 4/ may either be lead-directing or takeout.

A lead-directing double

Double	Meaning
4-X	Lead-directing double for clubs.
4-X	Lead-directing double for diamonds.

A takeout double of opener's suit

Double	Meaning
4-X	Takeout double of hearts.
4-X	Takeout double of spades.

Against the latter approach, a redouble indicates general high-card values with interest in penalizing the opponents. It implies lack of support for partner's suit.

Conventional Namyats responses over a double are still on.

Responder's bids are natural over any overcall.

		Opener			Responder
		AKJT9872			3
		A9			KQJ873
		J			T98
		K5			643
		Opener 4 (1) Pass			Responder 4 (2)

1. 4 shows 7+ strong spades and 8-9 tricks.
2. 4 is a signoff.

		Opener			Responder
		62			KT5
		AKJT9875			Q63
		J			KQT3
		K5			AJT
		Opener 4 (1) 4 (3)			Responder 4 (2) Pass

1. 4 shows 7+ strong hearts and 8-9 tricks.
2. 4 is a relay. With 15 HCP and heart support, responder is interested in slam.
3. 4 indicates a minimum. Opener only has 8 winners (7.5 hearts, 0.5 clubs).

		Opener			Responder
		A9			KQ5
		AKJ98742			Q63
		J			KQT3
		K5			AJT
		Opener 4 (1) 4 (3) 5 (5) Pass			Responder 4 (2) 4NT(4) 6 (6)

1. 4 shows 7+ strong hearts and 8-9 tricks.
2. 4 is a relay. With 17 HCP and heart support, responder is clearly interested in slam.
3. 4 is a cuebid. With approximately 9 winners (1 spade, 7.5 hearts, 0.5 clubs), opener is willing to go beyond 4 to probe for slam.
4. 4NT is Blackwood, asking for aces.
5. 5 shows two aces.
6. 6 is a signoff.

Namyats is "Stayman" spelled backwards. It was invented by Victor Mitchell, who was Sam Stayman's bridge partner in the mid-20th century. Both players dominated the American bridge scene during their era.