Stayman: how the convention works
Stayman is a convention: when your partner opens 1NT, you bid 2♣ to ask whether partner holds four hearts or four spades.
That way you find an eight-card fit in a major, and 4♥ or 4♠ often plays better than 3NT. Almost every system uses it, Acol included. In VosBridge the bots play Stayman on every convention card unless you switch it off.
Stayman in a table
| Auction | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1NT – 2♣ | Stayman: ‘Do you have four hearts or four spades?’ You hold a four-card major yourself and at least 11 points |
| 1NT – 2♣ – 2♦ | No four-card major |
| 1NT – 2♣ – 2♥ | Four hearts. Partner may have four spades as well |
| 1NT – 2♣ – 2♠ | Four spades, not four hearts |
| Then, with a fit | 3 of partner's major: 11–12 points, invitational. 4 of the major: 13 points or more, game |
| Then, without a fit | 2NT: 11–12 points, invitational. 3NT: 13 points or more, game |
| 2NT – 3♣ | Stayman over a 2NT opening: the same, one level higher, from about 4 points |
If you play a strong no-trump (15–17), you need 3 points fewer: Stayman from 8 points, game from 10.
When do you bid Stayman?
- You hold exactly four hearts or four spades (or both).
- You have enough to invite game: 11 points or more opposite 12–14.
- With five or more cards in a major, bid a transfer, not Stayman.
- With no four-card major, bid 2NT or 3NT straight away.
Examples
Example 1: looking for a fit for game
- ♠ K J 7 4
- ♥ A 6 3
- ♦ Q 9 5 2
- ♣ K 3
Partner opens a weak 1NT. With 13 points you have at least 25 between you: enough for game. With four spades you bid 2♣. If partner answers 2♠, you bid 4♠. If partner answers 2♦ or 2♥, you bid 3NT.
Example 2: inviting
- ♠ Q 8 6 3
- ♥ K 10 7 2
- ♦ A 5 4
- ♣ Q 6
11 points and both majors. You bid 2♣. Over 2♥ or 2♠ you raise to the three level: an invitation. With 13 or 14 points partner goes on to game. Over 2♦ you bid 2NT.
Example 3: not strong enough
- ♠ K 7 5 3
- ♥ Q 8 4 2
- ♦ J 6 3
- ♣ Q 5
Both majors, but only 8 points opposite 12–14: game is out of reach, so you pass 1NT. Opposite a strong no-trump (15–17) the same hand would bid Stayman.
Common mistakes
- Bidding Stayman without a four-card major. Partner will think there may be a fit.
- Bidding Stayman with too few points. After the reply you must bid again, so you need at least an invitation.
- Using Stayman with a five-card major. That is what transfers are for.
- Forgetting that 2♣ says nothing about clubs. In VosBridge you tap the blue ALERT button first; at the club, follow your club's rules on alerts and announcements.
See also: Jacoby transfers · Counting points · Acol
Practise this soon
In VosBridge the bots play Stayman with you. Tap any bid to read what it means. VosBridge is not open to everyone yet: a small group of testers already plays.
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