Source: Richard Pavlicek Web Page
Main objective is not to reveal the shape of the concealed hand (opener) on typical auctions; hence opener must rebid 2
with or without a 4-card major, then responder (usually dummy) describes. Showing a 5-card major over Stayman is optional; i.e., opener may suppress with notrump-oriented values. Responder’s rebids are artificial and specialized.
Details
The 2
response to 1 NT is a modified version of “puppet” Stayman. Responder must have at least game interest unless he is able to pass opener’s rebid of 2, 2
or 2
.
| West 1 NT ? |
North P |
East 2 |
South P |
Call 2 2 , 2 |
Meaning relay (usually no 5-card major) 5 card suit |
| West 1 NT 2 |
North P P |
East 2 ? |
South P |
| • • • • • • • |
Call 2 2  2 NT 3 3 3 3 3NT 4 |
Meaning exactly 4 spades or no major interest exactly 4 hearts 4-4 or 5-4 in majors; I 5-4 or 6-4 in majors; GF 4-4 in majors; GF 5+ clubs; no 4 card major; slam try 5+ diamonds; no 4 card major; slam try sign-off (was looking for 5 card major) Gerber |
| West 1 NT 2 ? |
North P P |
East 2 2 M |
South P P |
| • | Call 2 2NT 3 3 3 4 |
Meaning spade fit*; minimum; NF no fit; minimum; NF no fit; maximum heart fit; minimum; NF spade fit*; maximum heart fit; maximum |
*if responder has 4 spades
| West 1 NT 2 ? |
North P P |
East 2 2 NT |
South P P |
| • | Call Pass 3 ,
3 |
Meaning no major fit; minimum relay; maximum; responder bids shorter major (Smolen) or 3 NT with 4-4 that fit; minimum maximum (no interest in 5-3 fit) that fit; maximum |
| West 1NT 2 ? |
North P P |
East 2 3 |
South P P |
| • | Call 3
3 |
Meaning relay; responder then bids shorter major (Smolen style) that fit* no interest in 5-3 fit; if responder bids again it is natural |
*If responder has slam interest, he may continue with a minor-suit splinter, opposite major (natural) or key-card Blackwood.
| West 1NT 2 Fit |
North P P P |
East 2 2 M ? |
South P P |
| • | Call 2 NT, 3 NT 3 , 3Unfit major 3 (fit)4 , 44 over 24 fit 4NT |
Meaning corrective*; NF 5+ cards; slam try ambiguous slam try trump-quality concern; I splinter; slam try splinter; slam try sign-off key-card Blackwood (fit suit key) |
*denies spade fit; 3 NT offers choice of game after heart fit
| West 1 NT 2 No Fit |
North P P P |
East 2 2 M ? |
South P P |
| • • |
Call 3 , 33 *3 3NT 4 over 2NT4NT |
Meaning 5+ cards; 4 card major; GF 4 clubs; 4 card major; slam try 4 diamonds; 4 card major; slam try sign-off Gerber quantitative |
*If 3 is not available (i.e., if opener bid 3) then 3 shows 5+ clubs and 4 shows exactly 4 clubs.
After interference:
All doubles or redoubles by either player are for penalty.
If responder’s L-H-O doubles 2 or bids 2, the structure is unchanged (assuming no further enemy bid). Opener should make his normal rebid or pass, double or redouble. If responder rebids 2 it is to play (he would have passed 2 ).
If either opponent bids 2 or higher (after the Stayman 2 bid), the structure is off and the bidding reverts to a natural style. If opener cannot make his normal rebid, he should pass or double. If responder bids a major suit, he shows 4 cards in that suit (3 could be both majors after a 3 or 3 overcall); this is invitational at 2 or forcing at the 3 level. Opener may raise, return to notrump, or show the other major if appropriate.
| West 1NT P/D |
North P P |
East 2 ? |
South 2 up |
| Call 2 2NT 3m 3M cue 3NT |
Meaning 4 spades; I invitational (ambiguous over 2 )5+ cards; GF 4 cards; GF asks for stopper sign-off |
After a 2 NT opening:
The use of puppet Stayman after 2 NT is almost identical to after 1 NT, although any bid that commits the partnership past 3 NT with no assured major fit promises slam interest.
| West 2NT 3 |
North P P |
East 3 ? |
South P |
| • • • • |
Call 3 3 3NT 4 ,44 4 4NT 5 |
Meaning exactly 4 spades or no major interest exactly 4 hearts 4-4 or 5-4 majors; choice of games; NF 5-4 or 6-4 majors*; slam try (4 relaysthen shape is shown Smolen style) 4-4 in majors; slam try 5+ clubs; no 4 card major; slam try 5+ diamonds; no 4 card major; slam try quantitative Gerber |
*With 6-4 majors and no slam interest, responder should just use Texas.
| West 2 NT 3 ? |
North P P |
East 3 3 M |
South P P |
| • | Call 3 3NT 4 , 4 |
Meaning spade fit (if responder has 4 spades) no fit heart fit; maximum (responder should bid 4 as transfer to play in 4)heart fit; minimum |
| West 2NT 3 Fit |
North P P P |
East 3 3M ? |
South P P |
| • | Call 3NT Cheapest suit Other suit 4NT |
Meaning sign-off (denies spade fit) ambiguous; slam try in fit splinter; slam try key-card Blackwood (fit suit key) |
| West 2 NT 3 3 NT |
North P P P |
East 3 3 M ? |
South P P |
| • • |
Call 4 , 44 4 4NT 5 |
Meaning 5+ cards; 4 card major; slam try 4 clubs; 4 card major; slam try 4 diamonds; 4 card major; slam try quantitative Gerber |
When opener shows a 5 card major:
| West 1NT 2M 2NT 3M |
North P P (or) P P |
East 2 ?3 ? |
South PP |
| Call 2 2NT, 3M 3NT, 4M other M (3+) nonjump or jump 4x 4NT 5 |
Meaning 4 spades (weak minor, no fit for M); I natural; I sign-off raise of M; slam try 5+ cards (does not deny fit); GF splinter raise; slam try quantitative Gerber |