Check Back Stayman CBS (3)


This convention assumes OPENER opens 1/1/1, RESPONDER responds 1 of a higher ranking suit, and OPENER rebids 2NT to show a balanced hand with 18 or 19HCP.

OPENER's 2N rebid denied 4 card support for RESPONDER's major,
but may have 3 card support or 4 of the other major.

 RESPONDER rebids 3 to ask about the MAJORS (&).
Opener LHO Responder RHO
1 Pass 1 Pass
2NT Pass 3?  

    

 


What kind of hand would RESPONDER have for a CBS 3 bid?
RESPONDER should be looking for an 8 card major fit and have:
a) 5 of the first suit (hearts in the example above) or
b) 4 of the unbid major (spades in the example above) or
c) both (5 hearts and 4 spades in the example above)

Here are some RESPONDER hands that respond 1 and then rebid 3, looking for an 8 card major fit:
JT5 AQT85 T43 A2 : looking for 3 card heart support from OPENER
JT54 AQT4 T43 A2 : looking for 4 card spade support from OPENER
JT54 AQT85 T2 A2 : looking for either  3 card heart support or  4 card spade support from OPENER

OPENER simply shows support, if any, by bidding the supporting suit.
Here are some examples of OPENER RESPONSES to RESPONDER's CBS question

Opener LHO Responder RHO
1 Pass 1 Pass
2NT Pass 3? Pass

3 denies 3 hearts & denies 4 spades
AK3 K2 K43 AJ765

3 shows 3 hearts, responder's first suit
AK K43 K43 AJ765

3 shows 4 spades, the unbid suit
AK54 K2 K43 AJ54

3N shows BOTH?
AK54 K43 K43 AJ3

     


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESPONDER may respond 1 instead of 1 and use CBS. Here are the two main cases:
JT765 AQ3 T43 A2 is looking for 3 card spade support
JT765 AQT4 T2 A2 is looking for either  3 card spade support or  4 card heart support

Here are examples of OPENER RESPONSES to RESPONDER's CBS after RESPONDERS's 1:
Opener LHO Responder RHO
1 Pass 1 Pass
2NT Pass 3? Pass

3 denies 4 hearts & denies 3 spades:
AK K43 K43 AJ765

3 shows 4 hearts
AK K654 K43 AJ54

3 shows 3 spades
AK3 K43 K43 AJ54

3N shows BOTH?
AK3 K654 K43 AJ3

     


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why would OPENER bypass a four card spade suit to rebid 2N?
Because it is often very important that the stronger hand be declarer.