Version 2.1
(c) 2001, 2008 Glen Ashton BridgeMatters
2C: Stayman,
might not have a four card major.
2C can be bid with weak hand and both majors.
2D,2H: Jacoby Transfers showing five
or longer in next major suit.
2S: Transfer
to clubs.
2NT: Transfer to
diamonds. Can have a weak hand
with both minors.
3C: 5-4
or better in the minors and game forcing.
3D: Asks
for a five card major. Use this
first if wanting to ask for aces (Gerber).
3H: 4-1-4-4
or 4-0-5-4 or 4-0-4-5, game forcing.
3S: 1-4-4-4
or 0-4-5-4 or 0-4-4-5 game forcing.
Game: These
game bids to play: 3NT, 4H, 4S, 5C, 5D.
4C: Transfer
to 4H.
4D: Transfer
to 4S.
4NT: Quantitative,
non-forcing but slam invitational.
[1NT-2C
Stayman]
2D: No
four card major. After this:
2H: Both
majors, up to GI with at least 5Hs and 4+Ss. Responder passes with a minimum & 3Hs, bids 3Ss with
three spades, and bids 2NT with a maximum, 3Hs & only 2Ss.
2S: Five
spades, GI values, distributional or 4Hs (otherwise 1NT-2H-2S-2NT).
2NT: GI,
may or may not have a four card major.
3m: Natural
& forcing.
3M: Four
in this major, five or longer in OM. Game forcing.
3NT: To
play.
4C: Gerber.
4D: Delayed
Texas transfer to 4H.
4H: Delayed
Texas transfer to 4S.
4NT: Quantitative,
non-forcing but slam invitational.
2H: Four
hearts, may have four spades if not minimum. After this:
2S: Five
spades, GI values.
2NT: GI, may
have four spades.
3m: Natural
& forcing.
3H: GI.
3S,4C;4D: Singleton
or void, heart support, slam try.
3NT,
4H: To
play.
4NT: RKCB for
hearts.
2S: Four
spades, may have four hearts if not minimum. After this:
2NT:
GI, may have four hearts.
3m: Natural
& forcing.
3H: Slam
try in Ss.
3S: GI
3NT,
4S: To play.
4C,
4D, 4H: Singleton
or void, spade support, slam try.
4NT: RKCB for
spades.
2NT: Both
majors, minimum. After this, all
suit bids at the three level are transfers (3S shows clubs), 4C is Gerber, and
4M is to play.
[1NT-2D
& 1NT-2H Jacoby transfers]
Standard
Jacoby transfers. Use 2D followed
by 2S to show 5-5 in the majors, GI or game going. Use 2H followed by 3H to show 5-5 in the majors, slam try.
[1NT-2S
transfer to Clubs]
Opener is
to bid 2NT with a bad hand for clubs, 3C with a good hand for clubs. Now 3C is a signoff bid, 3NT is to
play, and new suit bids show location of values & some length (3 or longer
in suit).
[1NT-2NT
transfer to Diamonds, can be weak with both minors]
Opener is
to bid 3C with a bad hand for diamonds, 3D with a good hand for diamonds. Now 3D is a signoff bid, 3NT is to
play, and new suit bids show location of values & some length (3 or longer
in suit).
[1NT-3C
both minors, at least 5-4, game forcing]
Opener bids
3D to ask, 3M with weakness in OM, and 3NT with values in the majors,
not interested in the minors unless responder has a slam try. After 3D, responder rebids:
3H: singleton
or void in Hs. 3S asks: 3NT shows
3-1-5-4 or 3-1-4-5, 4C shows 5-5 in minors.
3S: 5-5
in minors, singleton or void in spades.
3NT: 1-3-5-4 or
1-3-4-5.
4C: 6Cs,
5Ds, singletons in both majors.
4D: 6Ds,
5Ds, singletons in both majors.
4M: void
in M, singleton in OM, 6-6 or 7-5 in the minors.
[1NT-3D
asking five card major]
Opener
rebids 3M with five, 3NT without
five. Now 4C is always Gerber (asking
for aces , 4D showing none), and over 3M
4D is RKCB for the major suit.
[1NT-3M singleton/void in major, 4 in the OM, game forcing]
3NT is to
play, 4OM or 4m shows that opener thinks best spot is that suit with four of the minor
, 3S/3H or 4S/3S shows slam interest in OM.
[1NT-4C
Transfer to Hearts]
Opener bids
4H or unless holding three aces and either a king with an ace, or the king or
queen of hearts, or all four aces.
If holding those type hands opener bids 4D, after which 4H is a signoff
by responder.
[1NT-4D
Transfer to Spades]
Opener bids
4S unless holding three aces and either a king with an ace, or the king or
queen of spades, or all four aces.
If holding those type hands opener bids 4H, after which 4S is a signoff
by responder.
[1NT-4NT
quantitative]
Opener
accepts by showing number of aces.
Now immediate 5NT is signoff and cheapest suit bid asks opener to bid
four card suits up-the-line looking for a 4-4 fit.
[Choice in
use 4m transfers or Jacoby]
Responder has
two ways of transferring to a major and bidding game in the suit – either the
four of a minor transfer or the two level Jacoby transfer. Responder can choose which sequence to
use based on whether a lead directional double is wanted or not, or the type of
information the transfer will obtain from opener.
[Overview]
The
advanced version of the ETM Structure makes three significant changes:
1)
Uses
the Jacoby transfer to hearts with some game invitational and game going hands
without five hearts - hands that want to play in notrump or perhaps hearts.
2)
Uses
second round transfers by responder after a Jacoby transfer to provide better
bidding sequences.
3)
Increases
the use of the 3D response to 1NT to include additional hand types.
The method
gives up on playing 2H if responder has five and opener four, but good
opponents will rarely let you play 2H on a 5-4 fits and only about half the
points.
[Advanced
Jacoby 2D]
Several new
hand types can use the advanced Jacoby 2D. These are:
a)
GI
raise to 2NT, with or without four hearts – so a hand that would bid 1NT-2NT in
standard or a hand that would bid Stayman over 1NT, and then not finding opener
with four hearts would bid 2NT.
b)
Game
going with four hearts, wanting to play in 3NT or 4H if a 4-4 fit is found.
c)
Game
going with three hearts, wanting to play in 3NT or 4H if a 5-3 fit is found.
The
Advanced Jacoby 2D is never used when holding four or longer spades.
Opener
replies to the Jacoby 2D transfer with this bidding schedule:
2H: denies 4Hs,
any strength
2S: 5Hs,
minimum
2NT: 4Hs,
minimum
3C: 5Hs,
maximum
3H: 4Hs,
maximum
After
opener’s rebids of 2S, 2NT, or 3C, 3D is a retransfer to 3H.
After
opener’s rebids of 2S, 2NT, 3C, or 3H then responder can place the contract by bidding
2NT, 3NT, 3H or 4H. All other bids
show Hs. 3C over 2S or 2NT is an
artificial game try, asking opener to bid game with a useful minimum.
After 2H,
responder rebids according to this scheme:
Pass: To play.
2S: GI
with 5Hs, can be unbalanced, or Transfer GF with 5+Hs & Cs.
2NT: GI without
5Hs, can have 4Hs but maybe not
3C: Transfer,
GF with 5+Hs & Ds.
3D: Transfer,
can be GI or stronger with 6+Hs.
3H: 5Hs,
GF, first offers choice of game for opener. Opener can bid 3S to offer responder the choice back, asking
responder to bid 3NT with 5-3-3-2 or 5-4-2-2 & spread out values, and to
bid 4Hs otherwise.
3S, 4C, 4D: singleton
or void in suit bid, 6+Hs, slam try.
3NT: To play,
usually without 5Hs.
4H: To
play.
4NT: RKCB for
Hs.
After
1NT-2D-2H-2S, opener bids as follows:
2NT: wants
to play in 2NT opposite GI with 5Hs.
3C: maximum
with 2Hs.
3D: maximum
with 3Hs.
3H: wants
to play in 3H opposite GI in Hs.
Then
opposite all these bids, responder can bid:
-
3NT or
4Hs to play.
-
4NT as
RKCB for Hs.
-
3S or
4D show singleton/voids in the suit bid and Hs & Cs.
-
3H to
show Hs & Cs and no other good bid.
-
4C to
show Hs & Cs, at least a good 5-5.
-
3m to show a GI with Hs & five card
suit.
[Changes to
Jacoby 2H Transfer]
Jacoby 2H
denies 4+Hs. With both majors bid Stayman
or 3D.
After
1NT-2H-2S, responder rebids:
Pass: To play.
2NT: GI with
5Ss. With 5S and another five card
minor suit bid Stayman first.
3C: Transfer
to Ds with GF.
3D: Transfer
to Cs with GF.
3H: Transfer
to Ss, 6+Ss, GI or better. Opener
first assumes the GI hand.
3S: 5Ss,
game going or better. If just game
going shows a hand more distributional than just bidding 1NT-2H-2S-3NT, which
suggests 5-3-3-2 or 5-4-2-2 with spread out values.
3NT: Choice
of games, flat hand.
4C,4D,4H: slam
try, 6+Ss. singleton or void in bid suit.
4S: To
play.
4NT: RKCB
for Ss.
[1NT-3D
Extended Use]
The
sequence 1NT-3D is used to ask for a five card major or 4Ss, and is also used
to show 5-5 in the majors game going or to bid Gerber afterwards.
After
1NT-3D, opener rebids:
3H: not
4+Ss, can have 5Hs. 3S then asks
if 5Hs, 3NT says no.
3S: 4Ss.
3NT: 5Ss.
After
opener’s rebid:
4C: Gerber,
asks for aces.
4D: Shows
both majors, slam try.
4H: Shows
both majors, game going, but implies mild slam try values over 3S or 3NT since
could have just bid 4S.
4S: To
play over 3S or 4S.
[Modified
Smolen 3H]
The
sequence 1NT-2C-2D-3H shows 5Ss, 4+Hs – instead in normal Smolen 3H shows
exactly 4Hs. If 5-5 in the majors,
opener has a hand that wants to give opener the opportunity to play 3NT,
usually with not good major suits, and does not have slam interest. With good suits the sequence 1NT-3D is
used with game going hand with both majors.
After
1NT-2C-2D-3H, 3S asks hand type.
3NT shows 4H&5Ss, 4H shows 5-5 in the majors, 4S shows 6+S, to play,
and 4m are cuebids with 5+Ss, 4Hs
and slam interest.
[Stayman
Flexibility]
Responder,
with a balanced or semi-balanced hand, has options other than Stayman. Responder can decide whether or not to
use Stayman based on lead directional concerns, a desire to withhold certain
information from the opponents, or considering what other players will do
playing traditional methods. The
following table shows what is possible:
|
Hand |
Standard Option |
Other ETM Option(s) |
|
No four
card major, GI |
2C
Stayman |
2D
ask/transfer |
|
No four
card major, GF |
3NT |
3D ask,
2D ask/transfer |
|
4Hs, GI |
2C
Stayman |
2D
ask/transfer |
|
4Hs, GF |
2C
Stayman |
2D
ask/transfer |
|
4Ss, GI |
2C
Stayman |
None |
|
4Ss, GF |
2C
Stayman |
3D ask |
|
Both
Majors, GI |
2C
Stayman |
None |
|
Both
Majors, GF |
2C
Stayman |
None |
[Choice of
Contract]
ETM offers
more choice of contract auctions than most structures. Many good results can be obtained by
playing in the better contract between four of a major (4H or 4S) or 3NT. Here are some common choice
bidding sequences:
1NT-2D-2H-2S-2NT-3C:
5Hs & 5+Cs, GI.
1NT-2C-2H-2S: 5Ss, distributional,
GI. If opener now bids 2NT, 3C
then shows 5Ss & 5+Cs GI.
1NT-2D-2H-3H-3S:
Responder bids 3H to show five, opener offers responder choice of game.
1NT-2H-2S-3S:
Responder shows 5Ss and some distribution.
1NT-2H-2S-3NT:
A flat hand and 5Ss.
1NT-2D-2H-3D-3H-3NT:
The 3D bid was a transfer to 3H showing 6+Hs. Now 3NT offers choice.
1NT-2D-2H-3D-3NT:
Opener bids above 3H with a hand that would accept GI. 3NT offers choice.
1NT-2H-2S-3H-3S-3NT:
The 3H bid was a transfer to 3S showing 6+Ss. Now 3NT offers choice.
1NT-2H-2S-3H-3NT:
Opener bids above 3S with a hand that would accept GI. 3NT offers choice.
[Overview]
The complex
version of the ETM 1NT structure adds second round transfers by responder after
using Stayman. In addition the
transfer sequence is designed to reveal opener’s strength and longest suits.
[GI
balanced and semi-balanced hands without spades]
When
holding a GI hand without four or longer spades, or a six card or longer minor,
responder must use the 2D ask/transfer bid instead of using Stayman. The following shows the bids that must
be used:
|
Hand |
ETM Complex Bid |
|
No four
card major, GI |
2D
asks/transfer |
|
4Hs, GI |
2D
asks/transfer |
|
4Ss, GI |
2C
Stayman |
|
Both
Majors, GI |
2C
Stayman |
This
permits a sequence like 1NT-2C-2S-2NT to be a transfer, since responder if
holding GI values will either have four spades, in which case can raise spades,
or a long minor to transfer to.
[ETM
Complex Stayman – Opener’s Reply]
After
1NT-2C, opener replies as follows:
2D: No
four card major.
2H: 4
or 5Hs, not 4Ss.
2S: 4
or 5Ss, can have 4Hs if 4Ss & maximum.
2NT: 4-4 in the
majors, minimum.
[ETM
Complex Stayman – Overview of Responder’s Rebid]
After
opener’s reply to Stayman, this general structure is used for bids 2S to 3S:
2S: Range
ask and is used as well to transfer to Cs.
2NT: If
2S is available, this shows 5Ss & GI.
After 1NT-2C-2S, this is a club transfer but can be a hand that wants to
re-ask after opener bids 3C.
3C: Transfer
to Ds.
3D: Minor
suit singleton, major suit length but not 4 in a major opener showed.
3H/3S: If
opener replied 2M, 3M is GI and 3OM is artificial with 4 in M,
either 4-3-3-3 offering choice of game or a slam try. If opener replied 2D, 3H and 3S are Smolen like, with 5+ in
the other major.
[ETM
Complex Stayman – Responder’s Rebid]
After
1NT-2C-2D, responder rebids as follows:
2D: No
four card major. After this:
2H: Both
majors, up to GI with at least 5Hs and 4+Ss. Responder passes with a minimum & 3Hs, bids 3Ss with
three spades, and bids 2NT with a maximum, 3Hs & only 2Ss.
2S: Range
check with GI, or transfer to Cs, or used to find out more about opener’s hand.
2NT: 5Ss,
GI, distributional, may have a five card or longer minor or 4Hs.
3C: Transfer
to Ds.
3D: Singleton/void
in a minor, 4 or 5 in other minor.
4-4/4-3/3-4 in the majors.
3H asks:
3S:
singleton/void in Cs.
3NT:
singleton/void in Ds, no slam interest unless opener finds singleton is
working.
4C:
5Cs, singleton/void in Ds, slam interest.
4D:
4-4-1-4 exactly, slam interest.
3H: Transfer
to Ss with 5+Ss, GF, usually 4Hs but can have 5-5 in majors, GF, but not great
suits . 3S asks hand type:
3NT: 4H&5Ss
4H: 5-5 in the majors
4m:
cuebids with 5+Ss, 4Hs and slam interest.
4S: 6+S, mild slam interest.
3S: 5+Hs,
4Ss. If 6+Hs has slam interest
(otherwise just bid 3D Delayed Texas transfer).
3NT: To
play.
4C: Gerber.
4D: Delayed
Texas transfer to 4H.
4H: Delayed
Texas transfer to 4S.
4NT: Quantitative,
non-forcing but slam invitational.
2H: Four
or five hearts, not four spades.
After this:
2S: Range
check with GI, or transfer to Cs, or used to find out more about opener’s hand.
2NT: 5Ss & a
five card or longer minor, GI.
3C: Transfer
to Ds.
3D: 3Hs
& 4Ss & a minor suit singleton, 3H asks for minor suit singleton, 3S
showing Cs.
3H: 4Hs,
GI.
3S: 4Hs,
either choice of game with 3-4-3-3 or slam try without minor suit
singleton/void.
3NT,
4H: To
play.
4C;4D: Singleton
or void, heart support, slam try.
4NT: RKCB
for hearts.
2S: Four
or five spades, may have four hearts if four spades & not a minimum. After this:
2NT: Transfer to
clubs, or used to find out more about opener’s hand.
3C: Transfer
to Ds.
3D: 3Ss
& 4Hs & a minor suit singleton, 3H asks for minor suit singleton, 3S
showing Cs.
3H: 4Ss,
either choice of game with 4-3-3-3 or slam try without singleton/void.
3S: 4Ss,
GI.
3NT: Exactly
3Ss & 4Hs, offers choice between 3NT, 4H and 4S. With 4Hs and 2Ss use 2D asking bid or use 1NT-2C-2S-2NT-3C-3D
ask sequence.
4C,
4D, 4H: Singleton
or void, spade support, slam try.
4S: To
play.
4NT: RKCB for
spades.
2NT: 4-4 in the
majors, minimum.
3C: Asks
openers shape or transfer to Ds.
3D: 4-4-2-3
3H: 4-4-3-2
Now
game bids are to play, 4m is
natural, and other suit bids show Ds & suit bid.
3D: Transfer
to Hs.
3H: Transfer
to Ss.
3S: Transfer
to Cs.
[Minor suit
transfers after Stayman reply]
After
opener’s reply to Stayman, 3C is always a transfer to diamonds. After 1NT-2C-2D or 2H, 2S is a range
ask and is also used by the club transfer hands. After 1NT-2C-2S, 2NT is the club transfer, and is also used
by hands that want to re-ask.
After 2S
range check, opener rebids either 2NT with a minimum, 3C with a maximum. Also after 1NT-2C-2S-2NT, opener
usually rebids 3C. After either
sequence then:
Pass: To
play there.
3C: To
play in 3C unless opener has great fit.
3D: Re-ask,
see below.
3H/3S: See below.
3NT: To
play.
4C: RKCB
for Cs.
After the
3C transfer to Ds, opener rebids usually rebids 3D. Then:
Pass: To
play there.
3H/3S: See below.
3NT: Non-forcing
slam try with Ds.
4D: RKCB
for Ds.
After
1NT-2C-2S-2NT(transfer)-3C, these are responder’s rebids:
Pass: To play
there.
3D: Re-ask,
see-below.
3H/3S: See below.
3NT: Non-forcing
slam try with Cs.
4C: RKCB
for Cs.
After the
transfers 1NT-2C-2S-2NT, and 1NT-2C-2S-3C, opener might have both majors and a
maximum. Then opener rebids 3H
with 4-4 in the majors, after which responder can bid 3S to ask for three cards
in the minor that was transferred to, with 3NT showing only two in the
suit. For example
1NT-2C-2S-2NT(transfer to C)-3H(4-4 in majors)-3S(asks)-4C shows 4-4-2-3. Also over 3H, responder can signoff in
4H, 4S or 3NT. 3NT is a signoff
when holding length in the minors and was looking for a minor suit fit.
After
1NT-2C-2D then a minor suit transfer and opener’s rebid, responder bids:
3H: 4Hs
& 5+ in the minor, GF, either a singleton or extra values, and less than
3Ss (so if singleton in other minor will have 6+ in minor). 3S asks for singleton:
3NT:
singleton in other minor, no extra values.
4m: singleton in Ss, no extra values.
4om: singleton in other minor, extra
values.
4H:
no singleton, extra values.
4S:
singleton in Ss, extra values.
3S: 4Ss
& 5+ in the minor, GF, either a singleton or extra values, and less than
3Hs (so if singleton in other minor will have 6+ in minor). 4C asks for singleton, with:
4D:
singleton in other minor, may have extra values.
4H:
singleton in Hs, may have extra values.
4S:
no singleton, extra values.
After
1NT-2C-2H, then a minor suit transfer and opener’s rebid, responder can bid:
3H: 4Ss
& 5+ in the minor, GF, singleton in Hs or no singleton & extra
values. 3S asks:
3NT:
singleton H, no extra values.
4m: no singleton, extra values.
other:
singleton H, extra values.
3S: 4Ss
& 6+ in the minor, and singleton or void in the other minor.
After
1NT-2C-2S, then a minor suit transfer and opener’s rebid, responder can bid:
3H: 4Hs
& 5+ in the minor, GF, singleton in Ss or no singleton & extra
values. 3S asks:
3NT:
singleton S, no extra values.
4m: no singleton, extra values.
other:
singleton S, extra values.
3S: 4Hs
& 6+ in the minor, and singleton or void in the other minor.
[Stayman
Suit Re-ask]
There are
three sequences used to find out more of opener’s shape. Two of them first find out if opener is
minimum or maximum, but there is no range ask available over the 2S bid.
1NT-2C-2D-2S(range
asks)-2NT or 3C-3D re-asks:
3H: 4+Cs,
can have 4Ds. 3S asks for 4Ds, 3NT
is no.
3S: 5+Ds,
not 4Cs
3NT: 3-3-4-3 or
3-3-3-4
1NT-2C-2D-2H-2S(range
asks)-2NT or 3C-3D re-asks:
3H:
4+Cs
or 3-4-3-3. 3S asks if 4+Cs, 3NT
is no.
3S: 4+Ds.
3NT: 5Hs.
1NT-2C-2D-2NT-3C-3D(asks):
3H: 4+Cs
or 4-3-3-3. 3S asks if 4+Cs, 3NT
is no.
3S: 4+Ds.
3NT: 5Ss.
After these
bids, 4m is RKCB for that minor suit
if both minors are available: if only 4D is available it is RKCB the minor
opener last showed. 4NT is slam
invitational, not-forcing. If opener
has shown one major (and denied the other), the other major is RKCB for the
major suit. Responder can choose
to use RKCB in one suit, and then later correct to a different suit at the slam
level, using RKCB to find out the holding in a suit.
[Choice of
game with 4-3-3-3 major fit]
When
responder has 4-3-3-3 and game force then a choice can be offered opener. 1NT-2C-2M-3OM shows either a
slam try or 4-3-3-3 with 4 in M. Opener should bid 3NT if would want to
play in notrump opposite the 4-3-3-3.
If responder has a GI and opener will accept, opener should give
responder the chance to get out in 3NT if holding 4-3-3-3 by this sequence:
1NT-2C-2M-3M-3NT.
[4 card
major & six or longer in minor]
ETM Complex
Stayman is used by used with any hand with a 4 card major, and a six card
minor, regardless of strength. If
holding minimum values, responder can signoff if no major suit fit is found via
Stayman, by using the minor suit transfers. For example 1NT-2C-2S-3C-3D-Pass would show a hand with 4Hs,
6+Ds, and not enough values for game.
[4-4-4-1
GF]
Holding
4-4-4-1 shape GF, respond 3M to 1NT
with a singleton in a major suit.
With a minor suit singleton respond 2C, and if opener bids one the
majors, jump to 4m to show the minor
suit singleton and the major suit bid.
Instead if opener replies 2D, use the 3D bid to show a minor suit
singleton.
[Responder
shows singleton]
With ETM
Complex Stayman, responder with five or longer in a minor, and a four card
major, can show the singleton held, including showing a singleton in the major
suit opener replied in. Note these
two powerful sequences:
1NT-2C-2M-3D: singleton/void
in a minor, 3 in M. Now the partnership can find 4-3 or 5-3
major fits, minor suit games & slams etc.
1NT-2C-2M-transfer-reply-3S: singleton/void in other minor, 2 or less in M, 6+ in minor.
[Flat hands
use re-ask]
Holding a
flat balanced hand, with no singleton or six card minor, responder can use the
re-ask to investigate for fits and often determine minimum/maximum
strength. Responder uses Stayman,
then re-asks with 2S or bids 2NT if 2S not available, then re-asks with
3D. For example holding 2-3-4-4
(4-4 minors) with slam interest, responder might have a sequence like this:
1NT-2C-2H-2S(range?)-3C(max)-3D(ask)-3H(not five Hs or 4Ds)-3S(ask)-4C(4Cs)-4D(RKCB
for Cs).
[Spade
showing 2NT]
The
sequences 1NT-2C-2D-2NT and 1NT-2C-2H-2NT show 5Ss and GI values. The sequence must have some
distribution for without 4Hs or a five card minor, responder can simply
transfer to Ss with Jacoby 2H, then rebid 2NT. The 2NT bid over 2H promises 5Ss and a five card or longer
minor, since with 5Ss and 4+Hs responder would just raise Hs. The 2NT sequence does get the partnership
beyond 2S, but in return it allows opener to play the hand, acting as a transfer. The corresponding sequence in the ETM
Advanced 1NT Structure is 1NT-2C-2D-2S or 1NT-2C-2H-2S, which allows the
partnership to play in 2S, but has responder play the hand if spades will be
trump.
[Should You
Use Complex Stayman]
Hands where
ETM Complex Stayman delivers a win over standard methods occur, but not very
frequently. One should only use
the method for serious competition, with plenty of beforehand practice, and
good memories of both partners.
[Overview]
This 1NT
structure is designed for weak notrumps (12-14/13-15 normally) where a five
card major is unlikely to be held.
What is different from other structures is 2D JS – Jacoby Stayman, which
is a combination of Jacoby transfer and Game Forcing Stayman.
[Structure]
2C: Stayman,
promises a four card major if balanced.
2C can be bid with a weak hand.
2D: Jacoby
Stayman, both a transfer to hearts and Game Forcing Stayman.
2H: Jacoby
transfer showing 5+Ss.
2S: Range
ask, or both minors GI+, or planning to use Gerber next.
2NT: Transfer to
clubs, can have a four card major.
3C: Transfer
to diamonds, no four card major.
3D: Transfer
to Hs showing Hs & a five+ card minor, GF. 3H asks for minor, 3S showing Cs.
3H: 4-1-4-4
or 4-0-5-4 or 4-0-4-5, game forcing.
3S: 1-4-4-4
or 0-4-5-4 or 0-4-4-5 game forcing.
Game: These
game bids to play: 3NT, 4H, 4S, 5C, 5D.
4C: Transfer
to 4H.
4D: Transfer
to 4S.
4NT: Both
minors, to play in game, opener picks minor to play in. With quantitative slam try bid 2S.
[1NT-2C
Stayman]
2D: No
four card major. After this:
2H: Signoff
with both majors. Opener passes or
bids 2S.
2S: 5Ss,
GI values, distributional or 4Hs (otherwise 1NT-2H-2S-2NT).
2NT: GI.
3m: GI
(or close to GI values if 3C), usually 6+ suit, does not promise four card
major.
3H: GI,
5 or 6 in suit, usually 4Ss.
3S: GI,
6Ss, 4Hs.
3NT: To
play.
4C: Gerber.
4D: Delayed
Texas transfer to 4H.
4H: Delayed
Texas transfer to 4S.
4NT: Quantitative,
non-forcing but slam invitational.
2H: Four
hearts, may have four spades.
After this:
2S: Four
spades, GI values, NF, may have six card or longer minor. Opener bids 2NT to deny 4Ss and show a
minimum. With a maximum and not
4Ss, opener usually bids 3NT, but can bid 3C or 3D as pass or correct in case
responder has a long minor there and not good GI values. With 4Ss opener can pass 2S with bare
minimum, raise to 3S with an average minimum, and bid 4S with any maximum.
2NT: Five
spades, distributional hand, usually with a five card or longer minor, GI.
3m is now pass or correct – pass if
holding the minor, bid otherwise.
3m: GI,
6+ suit, no four card major.
3H: GI.
3S,4C;4D: Singleton
or void, heart support, slam try.
3NT,
4H: To
play.
4NT: RKCB for
hearts.
2S: Four
spades. After this:
2NT: GI with
four hearts.
3m: GI
or close to GI values, usually 6+ suit, does not promise four hearts.
3H: Slam
try in Ss.
3S: GI
3NT,
4S: To play.
4C,
4D, 4H: Singleton
or void, spade support, slam try.
4NT: RKCB for
spades.
[1NT-2D
& 1NT-2H Jacoby transfers]
1NT-2H is a
Standard Jacoby transfer.
With distributional hand with 5Ss and a five card minor or 4sH use
Stayman. Use 2H Jacoby transfer
followed by 3H to show 5-5 in the majors, GI. Use 2D with game going or stronger values and both
majors. See below for more details
on 2D JS – Jacoby Stayman.
[1NT-2S
Range ask/Both minors GI+/Gerber Planned]
The first
use of 1NT-2S is like 1NT-2NT in standard, a GI hand with no four card
major. 2S can also be used with a
hand with both minors, at least GI values, or planning on using Gerber next (or
planning on using it if opener shows a maximum). After 2S opener rebids:
2NT: minimum,
not both minors. Over 2NT:
3C: shows
both minors to play (had GI values)
3D: both
minors & slam interest,
3M: a singleton or void
& no slam interest, forcing to 3NT or 4m
3NT: to
play.
4m: natural, 6+
suit, 4 in other minor, slam try.
3C: 4-4
or 5-4/4-5 in the minors, minimum.
&n