Often OPENER will hold a balanced hand suitable for a 2N opening (20-21), except for a 5 card major.
AK 
K9875
KJ3 
AQJ|
|
Often OPENER will hold a balanced hand suitable for a 2N opening
(20-21), except for a 5 card major.
AK K9875
KJ3 AQJ
Puppet Stayman over 2N allows RESPONDER to ask for a 5 card major in
addition to the usual ask for 4.
Responder might have just a 3 card major to ask (with the usual 3
question). Alert!
QJ3 QJ3
2 765432
or may have one or two four card majors.
The 3 is alertable.
Openers responses to Puppet Stayman are different:
3: One or two four card majors
(i.e. "four card majorness")
3: Five hearts
3: Five spades
3N: No four or five card major
If Opener answers with 3 (one
or two four card majors), Responder rebids:
3 to show 4 spades (the
other major)
3 to show 4 hearts
(the other major)
4 to show both
four card majors (slam try)
4 to show both
four card majors (to play just game)
Responder's bidding 3 of the major not held allows the big 2N hand
to declare 4-4 major fits (remain hidden).
If Opener answers with 3 or
3, showing a 5 card major, Responder
can raise with just 3 card support.
A 5-3 fit auction example:
| OpenerAK K9875
KJ3 AQJ
|
ResponderQJ3 QJ3
2 765432
|
| 2N | 3! |
| 3! |
4 |
A 4-4 fit auction example:
| OpenerAK2 K987
KJ3 AQ3
|
ResponderQJ3 QJ54
2 76542
|
| 2N | 3! |
| 3! |
3! |
| 4 |
Pass |
Responder asks with 3.
Opener shows "4 card majorness" with 3.
Responder shows a 4 card major by bidding the other major.
Opener settles into game.
A 4-4 fit, responder has both majors:
| OpenerAK2 K987
KJ3 AQ3
|
ResponderQJ54 QJ54
2 7654
|
| 2N | 3! |
| 3! |
4! |
| 4 |
Pass |
Responder asks with 3.
Opener shows "4 card majorness" with 3.
Responder shows both 4 card majors with 4.
Opener settles into game with four hearts (maybe also spades).
Here are some "no fit" auctions where the defence gets some information:
| Opener | Responder |
| 2N | 3! |
| 3! |
3N |
Opener has "4 card majorness".
Responder denies "4 card majorness", but probably has "3 card
majorness".
| Opener | Responder |
| 2N | 3! |
| 3! |
3 |
| 3N! | Pass |
Responder has 4 hearts.
Opener has 4 spades and fewer than 4 hearts.
| Opener | Responder |
| 2N | 3! |
| 3N! | Pass |
Opener hasn't even a 4 card major.
Responder might not have a 4 card major.
| Opener | Responder |
| 2N | 3! |
| 3! |
3N |
Opener has 5 hearts.
Responder has fewer than 3 hearts.
Responder probably has 3 or 4 spades.
Asking with 3
does NOT promise a 4 card major and is alertable.