Thursday, January 04, 2007 2:54 AM

Puppet Stayman - Slams

PITBULLS:

Advocates of “Puppet Stayman” know that this structure is the best there is for getting to your major suit fits & slams after a 2NT opener. In a previous article , we discussed 3NT after 3♦ & 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 ( 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 is a splinter.

2NT-P-3♣-P

3♦-P-3♥-P

3♠-P-4♥-P stiff heart 4♣ would be a general slam try

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

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

If the 2NT opener has a heart fit , most of the time she will bid 4♣ as a courtesy. 4♦ by responder transfers back to hearts but could still be forward going if responder takes control. 4♥ by responder is a last train slam try probably with a Q bid in a lower ranking suit. 4♠ is a stiff spade with slam interest.

2NT-P-3♣-P

3♦-P-3♠-P

4♣-P-4♠-P

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