Thursday,
January 04, 2007 2:54 AM
Hand Evaluation - Puppet Stayman II
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 so 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