5 CARD PUPPET STAYMAN OVER 2NT COMPLEX

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Rudolph Small
5 years ago
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1 Fourth draft. Last updated 14/08/2013 Introduction Playing systems where a 1 opening is not forcing (showing strong hands), the 2NT opening showing various 19+ point ranges needs to incorporate holding a 5 card major. Due to this fact, normal Stayman or Baron is not going to easily uncover the 5 card major. Various forms of 5 Card Stayman have been developed and the following structure is probably the most comprehensive. Of course, new structures have a major impact on other sequences and these are highlighted in some major suit transfer sequences. For example, a 3 or 3 transfer will show a 5 card suit (and possibly a second suit) and usually deny a 6 card suit (4 are transfers that show a 6+ card major). A simple system for using 3 over a 2NT opening is outlined, however more flexibility can be obtained by using 3 as a puppet to 3NT and using 3NT and 4 as transfers the disadvantage of this method is that it gives an opportunity for opponents to make a lead directing double of the 3 puppet - another disadvantage is that it is easily forgotten! Suggestions for 4 level responses to 2NT opening are also included as well as potential new concepts such as LAST TRAIN (attributed to Eric Rodwell) and 6 Key Card Blackwood are introduced. Example Sequences where 5 Card Puppet Stayman applies 2NT opening showing C 2D; 2NT showing D 2H; 2NT showing See notes 1 & 2. Responding Hand Types When would you want to use this convention after a 2NT opening showing a strong balanced hand? 1. When you hold a hand with a 3 card major that would probably play better in 4 of a major rather than 3NT OR is a slam going hand. The hand does not have to be balanced and you could hold a 6 card minor where you intend to play in a minor suit game or slam if opener does not have a 5 card major. 2. When you hold one or both 4 card majors and want to play in 3NT or higher or is a slam going hand. If you hold one 4 card major, you can hold 6 card minor where you intend to play in a minor suit game or slam if opener does not have a major suit fit. (However, when 6-4 in majors use a transfer sequence OR just play in 6 card major). 3. When you hold a 4 card heart suit with 5 spades without slam aspirations. Note that the sequence 2NT 3H; 3S 4H now becomes forcing. Passing the 2NT Opening Having 20+ hcp does not guarantee that 2NT will be a making contract, however with less than 4hcp and a balanced hand (no singleton or void and no 6 card suit) responder should generally pass. An interesting point here is that in the sequence 2NT P P?, balancer with < 3 hcp can place his partner with 14+ hcp and could make a speculative double, which tells partner to find a safe lead and expect 2NT to go down. (It is at this point that 2NT responder can show a weak 5 card suit by a simple TRANSFER mechanism,3 =,3 =,3 =. With or two suiters with start with xx. Then pass 3 or bid with +M, with both majors(4 4 or 5 5 ). With 5 & 4 transfer into, then bid 3! This treatment is a good system after 1NT is doubled also! For an alternative see Advanced Ripcord!).

2 5 Card Puppet Stayman Openers Responses after 3 3 no 5 card major, but shows a 4 card major OR a 2 card spade suit. Note that if opener has 3 and 2 then he holds 8 cards in the minors. 3 =4 3 asks if opener has 4 3NT= both majors minimum 4 = both majors slam try 3 5 card suit 3NT,4 =to play 3 =LAST TRAIN in 4 natural 4 =RKCB in 3 5 card suit 3NT,4 =to play 4 natural 4 =LAST TRAIN in 4NT= Quantitative 3NT no 4+ card major but with 3 4 natural & forcing 4 transfer to 4 4NT quantitative 5 Card Puppet Stayman Openers Responses after 3, 3 3 Asks if opener has 4 3 =4 3NT=not 4 3 Shows a 4 card suit 3NT= less than 4. 4 = bid 4 = LAST TRAIN in 4 =to play 3NT Shows both majors with minimum values 4 Shows both majors with slam interest. 3NT,4 =to play 4 LAST TRAIN in 4 LAST TRAIN in 4 =no 4 card major fit (allows responder to show a 5 card major now OR to play in 4NT). 4 =to play 4NT=6RKCB (Note 4)

3 5 Card Puppet Stayman Openers Responses after 3, 3, 3 asking for card suit 3NT,4 =to play 4 = natural forcing 4 =LAST TRAIN in 3NT Denies 4 4 = natural forcing Other system implications Openers Responses after 3 transfer showing 5+ 3 Not 5 and 3 3NT=semi balanced 4 natural & forcing 4 =To play 4NT Quantitative 5 =Exclusion RKCB in 3NT 5 less than 3 Pass=no major fit 4 natural 4 to play 4 =RKCB in 4NT Quantitative no major fit 5 =Exclusion RKCB in 4 Good 4 card fit maximum - 4 re-transfer 4 Good 4 card fit maximum - 4 re-transfer maximum Pass,4 =to play 4NT (6RKCB) 4 4 minimum 4NT=RKCB in S 5 =Exclusion RKCB in

4 Other system implications Openers Responses after 3 transfer showing natural with 4 3ΝΤ= semi-balanced 4 natural with 5 4 =to play 4 =RKCB in 5 =Exclusion RKCB 3 5 and 2 3NT=to play 4 natural with 5 4 =LAST TRAIN in 4 =to play 4NT = Quantitative 3NT <5 and 2 4 natural with 5 4 to play 4 = RKCB in 4NT = Quantitative 4 Good 4 card fit maximum 4 re-transfer 4 Good 4 card fit maximum - 4 = to play 5 =Exclusion RKCB 4 To play with 4 minimum 4 =RKCB 5 =Exclusion RKCB

5 3 Other system implications 3 & 4 level responses to 2NT Relay to 3NT with a minor oriented hand. If opener has both minors at least 4-4 then the relay can be broken. There is a problem if opener holds 2-2 in the minors and this holding cannot be catered for. 4 = with slam interest 4 = with slam interest 4 =minors with longer 4 =minors with longer 4NT= 22(5)4 Quantititive 3NT To play Majors 4 =LAST TRAIN 4 =To play 4 6 card suit, to play or better IMPORTANT With a 6 card major single suiter DO NOT use a 3 level transfer. 4 =Forced 4 6 card suit, to play or better 4 =Forced IMPORTANT With a 6 card major single suiter DO NOT use a 3 level transfer Minors 4NT=LAST TRAIN 5 =sign-off 4NT Quantitative Usually 2(3)44 or 33(4)3 shape. Could be 233(5). After a NT will hold 12hcp. 5 =sign off If non minimum then Blackwood responses.

6 Additional Notes Note Description 1 2NT Opening ranges Your system structure may vary these sequences and ranges slightly. 2 Using 5 Card Puppet Stayman over 1NT Opening This structure works over a strong 1NT opening where 3 is 5 card puppet stayman, leaving 2 free for weak or invitational hands. 3 4NT quantitative slam try There are many ways to make a quantitative raise. With a 4333 shape the minimum hcp total for a raise is 33. With a 5 card suit 32. If opener wants to accept a 4NT quantitative slam try (with a non-miniumum opening), he can make RKCB responses where a 5 card suit has been shown, or standard RBW responses otherwise. (Steps 41,30,2 same colour,2 same rank 2 odd). 4 6 Roman Key Card Blackwood (6RKCB) Where two suits are show then there are 6 key cards as the K of each suit is treated as a key card. Where Queens are to be shown, then the lower ranking Q is shown on a Q ask, and the higher ranking Q is shown as a K on a subsequent ask. 5 Exclusion Roman Key Card Blackwood (XRKCB) This is a 5 level new suit jump bid after a suit has been agreed. Standard responses excluding key cards held in the suit bid. Blackwood bidder will usually hold a void in the suit bid. 6 LAST TRAIN This is a general slam try, usually in the suit below the agreed trump suit bid at the 4 level. Where there are two possible suits, a good fit in one is guaranteed. Because this bid agrees a trump suit, continuations of 4NT and new suits at the 5 level are RKCB and Exclusion RKCB respectively.

7 EXAMPLE HANDS Weak hand both minors North Axx AJxx AKx AQx South x Qx Txxxx JT9xx In a pairs event South passed and the contract went -2 after a lead. Whilst 5 is not guaranteed there are three chances to make. The K onside, the K onside with a 3-3 break, or QJ being doubleton. With a maximum for the 2NT opening and good controls opener uses LAST TRAIN 4NT to show a hand suitable for SLAM. Suggested sequence: 2NT (20-22) 4S; 4NT (LAST TRAIN) 5C We only need to change the South hand slightly to see that a slam would be a good bet. North Axx AJxx AKx AQx South x xx QTxxx KJT9x Suggested sequence: 2NT (20-22) 4S; 4NT (LAST TRAIN) 5S (singleton ); 6

Polish Club 2005 A Brief Description

Polish Club 2005 A Brief Description by Krzysztof Jassem 2 Openings The 1 opening is described at the end of this section. 1 opening 4 cards, 12 17 HCP Canape: 4 diamonds; 5 clubs are possible if weak (12 14 HCP) 2 response natural, promises