The origin of this variation of the Stayman conventional method is unknown. The concept allows the partnership not only to find a 4-4 fit in a Major suit, but also a possible 4-3 fit in a Major suit.

Feature of the Concept

Once the Back Door Stayman conventional method has been initiated with the artificial 2 Clubs response to a 1 No Trump opening, then the No Trump bidder shows his short suit by bidding it instead of bidding the 4-card suit.

The following should clarify this strategy when holding a distribution hand of 4-3-3-3, the four-card suit being any suit. However, it is important to remember that the No Trump bidder will perform this action by jumping one level.

Distribution is 4-3-3-3. The No Trump bidder will jump one level.

North		East		South		West		Meaning
1 NT		Pass		2		Pass
3								Promises a 4-card Heart suit.
3								Promises a 4-card Spade suit.
3								Promises a 4-card Club suit.

Distribution is 4-4-3-2. The No Trump bidder holds a doubleton. The No Trump bidder will not jump one level.

North		East		South		West		Meaning
1 NT		Pass		2		Pass
2								Promises a 2-card Diamond suit.
2								Promises a 2-card Heart suit.
2								Promises a 2-card Spade suit.
2 NT								Promises a 2-card Club suit.

Asking for Pattern

If the responder is unwilling to place the contract after the No Trump bidder has provided additional information, then the responder can continue to inquire further about the shape of the holding by making a relay bid, or the cheapest possible bid. In any auction where the 3-card suit is actually the suit, in which the relay has been made, then the No Trump bidder shows this suit to be the suit by rebidding No Trump at the lowest level. The following illustration should clarify this feature:

North		East		South		West		Meaning
1 NT		Pass		2		Pass
2								Promises a 2-card Heart suit.
						2		The relay asking for the 3-card suit.
2 NT								Shows a 3-card Spade suit. The No Trump distribution is therefore: 3-2-4-4.

In the case that the distribution of the No Trump bidder is 3-3-2-5 (5-card Club suit) or 3-3-5-2 (5-card Diamond suit), then the No Trump bidder can also show this distribution in the following manner:

North		East		South		West		Meaning
1 NT		Pass		2		Pass
2								Promises a 2-card Heart suit.
						2		The relay asking for the 3-card suit.
3								Shows a 5-card Club suit. A 3 first response to Back Door Stayman would have shown a 4-card Spade suit. The distribution is therefore: 3-2-3-5.
3								Shows a 5-card Diamond suit. A 3 first response to Back Door Stayman would have shown a 4-card Spade suit. The distribution is therefore: 3-2-5-3.

The values held by the responder must justify a game contract since none of the responses by the No Trump bidder show or promise any minimum or maximum values. All rebids by the No Trump bidder show only distribution and shape.

 

 

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.