Monday, July 25, 2005 8:54 PM

Stayman - Smolen

PITBULLS:

Stayman has to be more than just finding 4-4 major suit fits. There has to be a way of accurately describing 5-4 in the majors by way of Stayman to the NT opener. Smolen type hands ( 5-4 in the majors both ways) have always interested bidding theorists. The Smolen convention is a partial fix in that the bid handles the game forcing 5-4’s quite well but at the 3 level. Can we handle both the 5-4 in the majors forcing and game invitational hands in an efficient manner and not go to the 3 level ? The answer is yes but we need two Smolen like bids and the power of the relay. Of course , Smolen kicks in only after you get a 2♦ response to a Stayman bid. These Smolen at the two level bids are focused on the 5-4 in the major hands as slams and correct games with those hand types are worth a lot of IMPS. All 5-4’s in the majors are handled by Stayman.

An excellent understanding emerges playing Smolen. The concept of knowing the “anchor suit” i.e. the 5 card major allows us to describe invitational 5-5’s also. Something that bidding theorists always wants to include in their bidding structure. How often have you had 5-5 in the majors or a 5-5 but you just want to reach game if the hands fit well ?

OK the first way to handle these hands are with the Smolen relay . This occurs only after a 2♦ response to Stayman. Like Smolen , you bid your 4 card major ( hearts) for partner to relay to spades .This shows spades as the anchor suit ( 5 cards ) for the 5-4 hands & as a bonus the game invitational 5-5 hands with spades as the anchor suit. Again like Smolen , if you bid 2♠ after the 2♦ response , you have hearts as the anchor suit ( 5 cards). Lets start with the Smolen heart relay

1NT 2§

2¨ 2© relay to 2ª to show forcing & non forcing Smolen hands & two suiters - spades as the anchor suit

2ª forced (may have a weak 54xx hand)

2NT 5 ♠, 4 ♥, Game Invite

3§/3¨ 5 ♠, 5 minor , Game Invite

3© 5 ♠, 5 ♥, Game Invite

3ª 5 ♠, 4 ♥, 3-1 in minors, Game Only

3NT 5 ♠, 4 ♥, 2-2 in minors, Game Only

4§/4¨ 5 ♠, 4 ♥, 3 or 4 card minor , Slam Try ; Bid short minor

The above treatment includes all the Smolen hands forcing and non forcing with spades as the anchor suit. The relay transfers the play of the hand to the NT bidder if spades eventually become trump. The beauty of this treatment is that it includes the invitational 5-5 hands with spades as the anchor suit as well.

OK what about the Smolen hands with hearts as the anchor suit ? A simplified version is to just bid 2NT with all hands except if you have reason to break the relay. This treatment of course only occurs after a 2♦ response to Stayman

1NT 2§

2¨ 2♠ Forcing: a) 4 ª, 5 ♥, GI; b) 4 ª, 5 ♥, GF

2NT the usual bid accepting the relay

Pass 4 ♠, 5 ♥, GI

3§/3¨ 4M, 5/6 minor, GF – if 4-5, will have a singleton

Continuation by opener asks shortness:

3© 4 ♠, 6 ♥, GI

3ª 4 ♠, 5 ♥, 3-1 in minors, Game Only

3NT 4 ♠, 5 ♥, 2-2 in minors, Game Only

4§/4¨ 4 ♠, 5 ♥, 3 or 4 minor , Slam Try

3♥ Accepts game with 3 ♥, wants to declare

3♠ 4 ♠ + 5 or 6 minor , looking for game in minor

3NT Accepts game with a soft hand

There are more complicated understandings that can be devised. With a high learning curve its best to start out with the basics above. After feeling comfortable with this treatment over time you can improvise.