The origin of this approach is unknown, but the general thought is that it was originated by necessity. In general the concept of the Stayman conventional method is applied following either an opening or overcall of partner with a bid of 1 No Trump, which represents a certain range of values within a certain pre-agreed distribution.

Rare Auction Demanding Stayman

However, in the game of bridge a bidding sequence can occur, in which a bid of No Trump is made on the second round. The following example illustrates this possibility. In this example the opposing side remains silent and there is no competition. Note: In general this conventional method is referred to as Checkback Stayman since the responder checks to discover a possible Major suit fit.

Note: Official designations can also include Puppet Stayman On The Second Round or Checkback Puppet Stayman.

Example 1
North AK65 KQ7 KJ2 AQJ		South J1083 A984 63 K74
				Meaning
2				A strong artificial opening bid promising either 8.5 winning tricks or a minimum of 4 losing tricks.
		2 suit		A first response as per partnership agreement to communicate information.
2 NT				This rebid clarifies the strong, artificial opening bid.
		3		This rebid by the responder is Stayman On The Second Round.

Note: The bridge player will recognize that no suit has been naturally bid in this bidding sequence. Therefore, the responder is allowed to bid in the same manner as opposite a 2 No Trump opening bid. The only difference is that in the above bidding sequence the opener promises stronger values than a normal 2 No Trump opening.

Note: For all partnerships, which employ Puppet Stayman, the Stayman on the Second Round rebid is made according to the principles of the concept of the Puppet Stayman conventional response method. For all intents and purposes this unique situation could be designated as Puppet Stayman On The Second Round or as Checkback Puppet Stayman.

Alternative Bidding Sequence

The following example also allows the partnership to agree to employ a (Puppet) Stayman on the Second Round rebid. In this example the opposing side remains silent and there is no competition.

Example 2
North 10865 Q107 AQ KQJ5		South AJ93 A984 J103 A7
				Meaning
1				Promises opening values.
		1		A first response as per partnership agreement up-the-line.
1 NT				Many partnership agreements allow the opening bidder to by-pass a weak higher-ranking suit, in this case Spades, and show the balanced distribution and to limit the range of values.
		2		This rebid by the responder is Stayman On The Second Round.

Note: Once again, for all partnerships, which employ Puppet Stayman, the Stayman on the Second Round rebid is made according to the principles of the concept of the Puppet Stayman conventional response method. For all intents and purposes this unique situation could be designated as Puppet Stayman On The Second Round or as Checkback Puppet Stayman.

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.