Wednesday, February 07, 2007 4:33 PM

Re-Stayman Captaincy

PITBULLS:

Re-Stayman is a nice tool . It builds on the information gained from your initial Stayman and goes on from there. Playing 4 suit transfers , the bid serves as minor suit Stayman. However , the bid is more than that as it also serves as “puppet Stayman” and finds 5-3 major fits. The main thing about Re-Stayman , as in Stayman , responder is captain of the auction. Responder asks questions to the NT bidder and the NT bidder complies with set answers about her distribution.

What if you wanted to do the reverse ? In other words , describe your distribution to the strong NT. As usual you have to give up something. You give up the 2♠ bid after a 2♦ response as invitational with 5 spades. This bid can be replaced by just bidding 2NT to invite. This one bid you need is the 2♠ relay to 2NT in a Stayman sequence. What this bid does is switch captaincy and the responder shows her distribution to the strong NT.

Over a 2♦ or 2♥ response to Stayman define a 2♠ bid by responder as a relay to 2NT. Having the bid showing 5 spades and invitational is from the dark ages. What this relay does is switch the meaning of bids. After the forced 2NT , 3♣/3♦ shows a 6-4 with any 4 card major after a 2♦ response and the other major after a 2♥ response. Playing Re-stayman you can not show these hands as 3♣ is Re-stayman and not a club suit.

Partner opens 1NT and you have ♠xx ♥AKxx ♦x ♣AJ109xx so you start proceedings with Stayman. Partner bids 2♦ so now what ? You could bid 3♣ re-Stayman bit you want to switch captaincy to partner and describe your hand. You bid 2♠ and partner is forced to bid 2NT . You bid 3♣ and partner can bid 3♦ which asks for your 4 card major ( answer naturally ) and your hand is described. Partner has ♠AKx ♥xx ♦Axxx ♣KQxx and can count 13 tricks in 7♣. She knows she has your 2-1 covered from knowing your distribution.

This relay structure can show 6-4 in the majors also. The strong NT accepts the relay to 2NT and responder now bids her 4 card major. 3NT is an impossible contract ( should play in the 6 card major ) so 3NT as for the stiff. The 6-4-2-1 pattern has been described completely.

Maurice & Susan had an auction where Susan had ♠AQxxxx ♥KQ109 ♦void ♣xxx . Using our methods , she would start with Stayman and partner will bid 2♥. Responder now bids 2♠ which is a relay to 2NT. Responder now bids 3♥ and the NT opener bids 3NT asking for shortness. Responder bids 4♦ and the NT opener had zero wastage in diamonds drives the hand to 6♥ . With normal breaks , 6♥ is lay down.

nd the other major after a 2e forced 2NT , 3ges. witch captaincy and the responder shows her distribution to the str