Structure 7G65 by Richard Pavlicek

Modified Puppet Stayman

In a Nutshell

Main objective is not to reveal the shape of the concealed hand (opener) on typical auctions; hence opener must rebid 2

with or without a 4-card major, then responder (usually dummy) describes. Showing a 5-card major over Stayman is optional; i.e., opener may suppress with notrump-oriented values. Responder’s rebids are artificial and specialized.

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Details

The 2

response to 1 NT is a modified version of “puppet” Stayman. Responder must have at least game interest unless he is able to pass opener’s rebid of 2

, 2

or 2

West
1 NT
? North
P East
2 South
P

Call
2
2 , 2 Meaning
relay (usually no 5-card major)
5 card suit

West
1 NT
2 North
P
P East
2
? South
P

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Call
2
2
2 NT
3
3
3
3
3 NT
4 Meaning
exactly 4 spades or no major interest
exactly 4 hearts
4-4 or 5-4 in majors; I
5-4 or 6-4 in majors; GF
4-4 in majors; GF
5+ clubs; no 4 card major; slam try
5+ diamonds; no 4 card major; slam try
sign-off (was looking for 5 card major)
Gerber

Memory aid: After the 2

relay responder’s next suit bid is always artificial. Note that a 2

or 2

bid denies interest in the major bid and denies five cards in the major shown.

West
1 NT
2
? North
P
P East
2
2 M South
P
P

•

Call
2
2 NT
3
3
3
4 Meaning
spade fit*; minimum; NF
no fit; minimum; NF
no fit; maximum
heart fit; minimum; NF
spade fit*; maximum
heart fit; maximum
*if responder has 4 spades

West
1 NT
2
? North
P
P East
2
2 NT South
P
P

•

Call
Pass
3

3 , 3
3 NT
4 , 4 Meaning
no major fit; minimum
relay; maximum; responder bids shorter
major (Smolen) or 3 NT with 4-4
that fit; minimum
maximum (no interest in 5-3 fit)
that fit; maximum

West
1 NT
2
? North
P
P East
2
3 South
P
P

•

Call
3

3 , 3
3 NT
Meaning
relay; responder then bids shorter major
(Smolen style)
that fit*
no interest in 5-3 fit; if responder bids
again it is natural
*If responder has slam interest, he may continue with a minor-suit splinter, opposite major (natural) or key-card Blackwood.

West
1 NT
2
Fit North
P
P
P East
2
2 M
? South
P
P

•

Call
2 NT, 3 NT
3 , 3
Unfit major
3 (fit)
4 , 4
4 over 2
4 fit
4 NT Meaning
corrective*; NF
5+ cards; slam try
ambiguous slam try
trump-quality concern; I
splinter; slam try
splinter; slam try
sign-off
key-card Blackwood (fit suit key)
*denies spade fit; 3 NT offers choice of game after heart fit

West
1 NT
2
No Fit North
P
P
P East
2
2 M
? South
P
P

•
•

Call
3 , 3
3 *
3
3 NT
4 over 2 NT
4 NT Meaning
5+ cards; 4 card major; GF
4 clubs; 4 card major; slam try
4 diamonds; 4 card major; slam try
sign-off
Gerber
quantitative
*If 3 is not available (i.e., if opener bid 3 ) then 3 shows 5+ clubs and 4 shows exactly 4 clubs.

After interference:

All doubles or redoubles by either player are for penalty.

If responder’s L-H-O doubles 2 or bids 2 , the structure is unchanged (assuming no further enemy bid). Opener should make his normal rebid or pass, double or redouble. If responder rebids 2 it is to play (he would have passed 2 ).

If either opponent bids 2 or higher (after the Stayman 2 bid), the structure is off and the bidding reverts to a natural style. If opener cannot make his normal rebid, he should pass or double. If responder bids a major suit, he shows 4 cards in that suit (3 could be both majors after a 3 or 3 overcall); this is invitational at 2 or forcing at the 3 level. Opener may raise, return to notrump, or show the other major if appropriate.

West
1 NT
P/D North
P
P East
2
? South
2 up

Call
2
2 NT
3 m
3 M
cue
3 NT Meaning
4 spades; I
invitational (ambiguous over 2 )
5+ cards; GF
4 cards; GF
asks for stopper
sign-off

After a 2 NT opening:

The use of puppet Stayman after 2 NT is almost identical to after 1 NT, although any bid that commits the partnership past 3 NT with no assured major fit promises slam interest.

West
2 NT
3 North
P
P East
3
? South
P

•
•
•
•

•
•
•

Call
3
3
3 NT
4

4
4
4
4 NT
5 Meaning
exactly 4 spades or no major interest
exactly 4 hearts
4-4 or 5-4 majors; choice of games; NF
5-4 or 6-4 majors*; slam try (4 relays
then shape is shown Smolen style)
4-4 in majors; slam try
5+ clubs; no 4 card major; slam try
5+ diamonds; no 4 card major; slam try
quantitative
Gerber
*With 6-4 majors and no slam interest, responder should just use Texas.

West
2 NT
3
? North
P
P East
3
3 M South
P
P

•

Call
3
3 NT
4

4 Meaning
spade fit (if responder has 4 spades)
no fit
heart fit; maximum (responder should
bid 4 as transfer to play in 4 )
heart fit; minimum

West
2 NT
3
Fit North
P
P
P East
3
3 M
? South
P
P

•

Call
3 NT
Cheapest suit
Other suit
4 NT Meaning
sign-off (denies spade fit)
ambiguous; slam try in fit
splinter; slam try
key-card Blackwood (fit suit key)

West
2 NT
3
3 NT North
P
P
P East
3
3 M
? South
P
P

•
•

Call
4 , 4
4
4
4 NT
5 Meaning
5+ cards; 4 card major; slam try
4 clubs; 4 card major; slam try
4 diamonds; 4 card major; slam try
quantitative
Gerber

When opener shows a 5 card major:

West
1 NT
2 M

2 NT
3 M

North
P
P
(or)
P
P

East
2

?

3

South
P

P

Call
2
2 NT, 3 M
3 NT, 4 M
other M (3+)
nonjump or
jump 4 x
4 NT
5 Meaning
4 spades (weak minor, no fit for M); I
natural; I
sign-off
raise of M; slam try
5+ cards (does not deny fit); GF
splinter raise; slam try
quantitative
Gerber

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