Hand 62 — Stayman
Play this handThe Deal
North
♠
Q 8 7 3
♥
A 3
♦
10 6 3
♣
A K Q 8
West
♠
10 9 2
♥
J 9 6
♦
K 7 4 2
♣
9 7 2
East
♠
A 6
♥
K 10 8 7
♦
J 9 5
♣
J 10 6 4
South
♠
K J 5 4
♥
Q 5 4 2
♦
A Q 8
♣
5 3
North: 15 HCP, 4-2-3-4 (bal)
East: 9 HCP, 2-4-3-4 (bal)
South: 12 HCP, 4-4-3-2 (bal)
West: 4 HCP, 3-3-4-3 (bal)
Bidding Sequence
| N | E | S | W |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1NT | Pass | 2♣ | Pass |
| 2♠ | Pass | 4♠ | Pass |
| Pass | Pass |
Final Comments
In a 4 soade contract, we count our losers.
1 spade
1 heart
2 diamonds
0 clubs
(we can trump the losing club in dummy)
That is 4 losers, 1 too many.
We can discard a losing diamond on the queen of clubs to make our contract.
Planning
Stayman Convention: As a responder to a 1NT opening, with 8+ HCP and at least one 4-card major, we bid 2C to ask opener about their majors. Opener responds: 2D (no 4-card major), or his 4c major. If opener holds both, he should (by agreement), bid the hearts first. After finding a 4-4 fit, we can place the contract appropriately. Stayman can also be used with a 2NT opening.