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Conventions: Modified Puppet Stayman

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, 3
3NT
4, 4

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, 3
3NT

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, 3
Unfit major
3 (fit)
4, 4
4 over 2
4 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, 3
3*
3
3NT
4 over 2NT
4NT
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
4,4
4
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 relays
then 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, 4
4
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

Esta entrada también está disponible en: Spanish

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