NON-FORCING STAYMAN

The concept of the Stayman convention is simple in its concept. After a 1 No Trump opening by one partner, the responder bids 2 Clubs asking for a 4-card Major suit. The only requirement of the responder is to hold a 4-card Heart suit, a 4-card Spade suit or 4 cards in both Major suits and sufficient values, generally around 8 high card points. The idea of a non-forcing Stayman sequence is rather a misnomer, since the 1 No Trump bidder is forced to respond. The non-forcing sequence occurs when the Stayman inquirer rebids a different suit after the 1 No Trump bidder has responded in another suit, as in the following bidding sequence:

Opener	Responder	Meaning
1 NT	2	Stayman
2		No 4-card Major suit
	2	Non-Forcing Stayman

The concept behind the Non-Forcing Stayman treatment is that the opener can pass any rebid in a new suit by the responder. The 1 No Trump bidder is not forced to continue the bidding auction after the responder has introduced a new suit. However, the partnership should generally assume the rebid of a new suit by the responder to be semi-inviting. The following illustrations should clarify this point.

	AQ74
	63
	QJ92
	875

The responder holds less than game-going values, but sufficient values to enter the bidding auction with his partner. First, the responder would apply the Non-Forcing Stayman convention, and upon hearing either 2 Diamonds or 2 Hearts, would rebid 2 No Trump. The No Trump bidder would either pass holding minimum values or bid game holding maximum values.

	KQ742
	63
	Q92
	875

The responder again holds less than game-going values, but sufficient values to enter the bidding auction with his partner. First, the responder would apply the Non-Forcing Stayman convention, and upon hearing either 2 Diamonds or 2 Hearts, would rebid 2 Spades. The 1 No Trump bidder is able, by partnership agreement, to pass this rebid, but this rebid is also considered to be semi-inviting. If the 1 No Trump bidder has maximum values, then the 1 No Trump bidder can invite by bidding 3 Spades. However, the 1 No Trump bidder must hold a 3-card Spade suit, even with maximum values.

If the responder holds game-going values, then the responder initiates a different bidding sequence. The concept is that the Stayman convention occurs on the two level. If the responder jumps to the three level, then this jump is considered to be game-forcing. The following auction should clarify this feature:

Opener	Responder	Meaning
1 NT	2	Stayman
2		No 4-card Major suit
	3	Non-Forcing Stayman

In this bidding sequence, the 1 No Trump bidder considers his holding and bids accordingly. If the 1 No Trump bidder has a 3-card Heart suit, then the 1 No Trump bidder simply bids 4 Hearts, which is game. The 3 Hearts rebid by the responder is game-forcing. If the 1 No Trump bidder has only a 2-card Heart suit, then the 1 No Trump bidder simply bids 3 No Trump, also game. There is no 8-card fit in Hearts.

If a fit has been found in a Major suit, then a slam try can be initiated by the responder, if the responder holds values worth a slam try. This is also the case if no fit has been found in either Major suit if the responder holds values worth a slam try. The final contract will then be in No Trump.

In the following bidding sequence, the partnership must come to a partnership understanding as to the significance:

Opener	Responder	Meaning
1 NT	2	Stayman
2 /		A 4-card Major suit
	3 /	Partnership Agreement

The partnership must agree whether or not the rebid of a Minor suit by the responder shall be considered to be weak or strong. It is also possible that the agreement is that a Minor suit rebid by the responder after a Stayman response in a Major suit by the No Trump bidder can be considered to signify support in that particular Major suit and the start of a slam try.

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.