Bridge: 5-card
"Puppet" Stayman

The 5 card puppet Stayman method fits all 8-card major fits and works best over 2NT, or a strong 1NT that may contain a 5 card major. There is less reason to transfer the declaration opposite weaker no-trumps.

This page defines the method and discusses its pro's and cons'

The puppet Stayman method

Our objective is to reveal 5 card majors in the NT opener, and ensure that he becomes declarer. This rather nice definition was posted to Usenet by John (MadDog) Probst as part of the discussion linked to below 2NT - 3 5-card puppet Stayman, used whenever no 5 card major held 3 No 5-card major, not 2 spades 3 hearts exactly - 3 denies 4 hearts, asks partner to bid 3 with four, otherwise 3NT 3 - 3NT then denies spades as well - 3 shows 4 hearts, denies 4 spades, asking for 3NT/4 - 3NT shows 4-4 majors NB: don't do this with 3-2 or 2-3! - 4 shows 5 spades and 4 hearts , partner cannot be 2-3, for correction 3 Opener has 5 hearts 3 Opener has 5 spades 3NT Opener has 2 spades 3 hearts (or 2-2 majors) 2NT - 3 Transfer into hearts 3 doubleton, or three 3NT would show 5 spades and 2 hearts (in case resp is 3-5) 3, 4, 4 transfer break: 4-card fit small doubleton in suit as above 4 transfer break: 4-card fit, no doubleton 2NT - 3 Transfer into spades 3 doubleton or three 3NT shows 5 hearts and 2 spades as above 4, 4, 4 transfer break: 4-card fit small doubleton in suit as above 4 transfer break: 4-card fit, no doubleton 2NT - 3 puppets 3NT* 3NT* - 4/ Single-suited slam try 3NT* - 4/ Splinter, 5-5 minor suit slam try 2NT - 3NT may be used for other meanings - but don't get them wrong

Memory points

• You are seeking opener's 5 card major and don't need a 4 card major yourself
• 3 does not show 4cM in opener's hand - it merely continues a dialogue
• Responder shows the lowest 4cM not held - then opener bids "naturally"
• Don't worry that most autions go 2NT- 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3NT!
• Don't relax and go to 3NT too early - it's commonly conventional! eg over 3 it shows both majors!
• Don't try too hard in bending your brain round the method's logic - but it always works!
• Agree what bids of 4, 4 mean at various stages. For example you may want to suggest slam in a minor, after excluding any major fit.

Usenet discussion from 2002

The pros and cons of 5 card puppet Stayman were debated on Usenet rec.games.bridge in 2002. One of several good discussions archived on this site

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