Wednesday, February 14, 2007 7:57 PM
Re-Stayman – Puppet
PITBULLS:
Most
experts use Puppet Stayman after a 2NT opening as it is a more effective Stayman
tool. The bid identifies 5 card majors
as well as facilitating slam tries with 4-4 major fits. We do not play Puppet
Stayman after a 1NT opener or do
we ? In effect , we do play puppet
Stayman & we can find a 5-3 major fit via Re-Stayman. Do not forget to use
Re-Stayman for that purpose when you have a nice 3 card major fragment.
We
play systems on after 1NT overcalls & the opponents open 1♠. You hold ♠Q987 ♥J10xxx ♦AK ♣AQ so what is your bid ? Most experts
would overcall 1NT to show your HCP’s and flatish hand . With so many HCP’s
concentrated in your doubletons overcalling 2♥ would be a distant 2nd choice.
Partner has ♠x ♥KQx ♦QJ10xx ♣K109x so should she make the mundane
3NT call ? I think a better sequence of bids is Stayman followed by
Re-Stayman . If partner has minimum duplication of value in spades , there may
be a minor slam. Also it is not beyond the realm of possibility that partner
has a 5 card heart suit.
You
bid Stayman and partner bids 2♥
and you Re-Stayman. Partner bids 3♥ and you bid 4♥. You make +650 in hearts and your partners
bring back +100 for defeating 3NT !
Match point players complain that their partners open 1NT with a 5 card
major. Well , use Re-Stayman to check back for your 5-3 fit ! ♠AJxxx ♥Jxx ♦KQx ♣AJ opposite ♠KQx ♥x ♦J10xxx ♣Kxxx . Why not bid Stayman and
Re-stayman to find your 5-3 spade fit . If partner bids diamonds or clubs you
have identified a heart weakness and maybe a 4♠ Moysean is a nice spot !
This bid is one of Tom Gandolfo’s favourite conventions for a reason . J