PUPPET
STAYMAN
During the evolution of the game of bridge, the
definition of a No Trump opening has been defined, refined, and defined again and
again. It is presently general practice to open a holding with 1 or 2 No Trump, while
holding a 5-card Major suit. In order to determine whether a partner has opened a
No Trump with a 5-card Major suit, Puppet Stayman was devised by Mr. Kit Woolsey.
This concept is also known as the Five Card Stayman.
The following illustration should clarify the
concept of Puppet Stayman.
| Opener |
|
|
AKQ4 | |
|
|
A76 | |
|
|
Q43 | |
|
|
J54 |
| 1 No Trump |
| Responder |
|
|
J765 | |
|
|
KJ43 | |
|
|
K72 | |
|
|
Q7 |
| 2 Clubs |
The responder has sufficient values for game, but wants to know if his partner has a 5-card Major suit. With no 5-card Major suit, the opener will respond:
| Opener |
|
|
AKQ4 | |
|
|
A76 | |
|
|
Q43 | |
|
|
J54 |
2  |
If the responder only has one 4-card Major suit, then the responder rebids the Major suit, which he does not have.
| Responder |
|
|
J87 | |
|
|
KJ43 | |
|
|
K72 | |
|
|
Q76 |
2  |
If the responder has four cards in both Major suits, then the responder rebids:
| Responder |
|
|
J876 | |
|
|
KJ43 | |
|
|
K72 | |
|
|
Q7 |
| 2 No Trump |
Under these circumstances, the No Trump bidder can select the correct denomination without being forced to reveal his exact holding to the opponents, who might visualize the correct lead.
If the No Trump bidder has a 5-card Major suit, then the No Trump bidder will simply rebid this suit.
| Opener |
|
|
AQ984 | |
|
|
AK | |
|
|
Q43 | |
|
|
J54 |
| 1 No Trump |
| Responder |
|
|
J765 | |
|
|
QJ43 | |
|
|
A72 | |
|
|
Q7 |
| 2 Clubs |
| Opener |
|
|
AQ984 | |
|
|
AK | |
|
|
Q43 | |
|
|
J54 |
| 2 = a 5-card Spade suit |
The responder will then set the final contract.
If you and your partner agree to use the Puppet Stayman convention, then it should be included in your Partnership Agreement.
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.