Although not included in the original concept, the idea of employing Minor Suit Stayman following a 2 No Trump opening bid is completely acceptable by partnership agreement. The only requirement, generally accepted, is the fact that the responder holds a minimum distribution of 5-4 in both Minor suits and has an interest in establishing whether or not a slam is possible. As with an opening of 1 No Trump, the responses are similar by an opening of 2 No Trump. The following schematic will clarify:
| Opener | Responder | Meaning | ||
| 2NT | The range of the 2 No Trump opening bid is 20 to 21/22 high card points. | |||
3 |
Responder wishes to inquire about the holding in the Minor suits. The responder shows a minimum distribution of 5-4 in both Minor suits. | |||
| 3NT | The opener does not hold a 4-card Minor suit. | |||
4 |
The opener promises a 4-card Club suit. | |||
4 |
The opener promises a 4-card Diamond suit. | |||
4 |
The opener signals slam interest in the Club suit or No Trump. Promises maximum values and at least a 5-card Club suit | |||
| 4 |
The opener signals slam interest in the Diamond suit or No Trump. Promises maximum values and at least a 5-card Diamond suit. | |||
Once the 2 No Trump has clarified his holding and somewhat shown his distribution and strength, then the responder is in a position to make a more educated decision based on this additional information as to whether a slam is feasible. The responder will then either establish the final contract or request additional information in the following manner.
Continuances by the Responder
| Responder | Meaning | |
| Pass | If the responder believes that the forced rebid by the No Trump bidder is the best possible contract, then the responder will pass. This is to play | |
| 3NT | If the responder believes that the forced 3 No Trump rebid by the No Trump bidder is the best possible contract, then the responder will pass. This is to play. | |
| 4NT | This second bid, following any bid by the No Trump bidder, is quantitative. The No Trump bidder may pass. | |
| 4 |
This bid is Gerber and asks the No Trump bidder for the number of Aces and/or Keycards held. (Note: some partnerships may employ Roman Keycard Gerber.) | |
| 5 |
This is a sign-off. Partner must pass | |
| 5 |
This is a sign-off. Partner must pass. | |
| 4NT | Generally Roman Keycard Blackwood for either Minor suit. | |
| 6 |
To play. | |
| 6 |
To play. | |
The partnership may decide to adopt other Ace-asking, Control-asking, or Keycard-asking methods than those suggested above. The partnership may also employ the Minor Suit Stayman conventional method over an opening bid of 3 No Trump. The rebids by the opener are generally the same, only one level higher. Although the partnership has very little bidding space to convey information, the exchange of information should suffice for the partnership to establish a final contract.
The employment of the [ilink url=»http://csbnews.org/the-useful-space-principle/?lang=en»]Useful Bidding Space Principle[/ilink] should also contribute to the exchange of additional information.