Thursday, January 04, 2007 2:54 AM

Hand Evaluation - Puppet Stayman ( Fit established )

PITBULLS:

Advocates of “Puppet Stayman” know that this structure is the best available for getting to your major suit games & slams after a 2NT opener. In a previous article , we discussed 3NT after openers 3♦ response to Stayman & the 4 level bids when responder has both majors. In this article , we will discuss the situations where responder just has one major but a fit has been found. Since with Puppet Stayman , you have confirmed spades as trump at the 3 level , you have idle 4 level bids by responder as slam tries. This Puppet Stayman method to identify stiffs in these auctions ( as opposed to a general Q bid slam try) is to use the “cheapest suit” concept as a general slam try . This means any bid that is not the cheapest suit (NT) is a splinter.

2NT-P-3♣-P

3♦-P-3♥-P

3♠-P-4♥-P stiff heart 3NT would be a general spade slam try by responder . Re-stayman is only defined after a 3NT response or a non fit auction.

The 2NT opener is ♠Jxxx ♥AK ♦AJxx ♣AKx so with the duplication of value avoids the 5 level for a spade slam try. Partner has ♠AKxx ♥x ♦Qxx ♣1098xx

When the 2NT opener has a heart fit , most of the time she will bid 4♣ as a courtesy rather than just taking the relay to 4♥. When just finding the fit at the 4 level , the useful space principle is in full effect. 4♦ by responder transfers back to hearts but could still be forward going when responder takes control afterwards. 4♥ by responder ( breaking the transfer ) instead of bidding 4♦ is a last train slam try probably with a Q bid in a lower ranking suit. 4♠ is a stiff spade with slam interest. We are playing with the ranks of suits to glean more information. A 4♣ bid by opener gets the ball rolling.

2NT-P-3♣-P

3♦-P-3♠-P

4♣-P-4♠-P

4NT ♠Jxx ♥AKxx ♦AJxx ♣AK opposite ♠x ♥QJ10x ♦KQxx ♣Qxxx

After asking for & finding opener with a 5 card major , we revert to the standard “other major” as a slam try in the first major. When the 2NT bidder bids 3♥ , 3♠ is a general slam try as is 4♥ after a 3♠ response. Another suit at the 4 level by responder is natural & does not deny a fit in the major.