What would I do with this hand when Partner opens the bidding 1NT (15 to 17 HCP) and I play no conventions?
♠AQ65
♥92
♦KJ32
♣
Q83
I have 12 HCP. I have a balanced hand. I would respond 3NT. We have the values for a game and not a slam. I would simply place the contract where it belongs.
What if Partner had:
♠KJ92
♥86
♦AQ87
♣
AK5
Right away the Opponents take the first 5 ♥ tricks! We are down in our contract.
Let's look to see what went wrong so we can improve our bridge in the future.
Hmmmmm. Partner sure had their opening 1NT bid. Can't blame them. I had a balanced hand and we have enough values for game. Not my fault.
This is strange. We have the values for game. We must make some game contract. Oh. I notice now that Partner and I have a 4-4 major suit fit. If we were to play in 4♠ the Opponents would only be able to take 2 tricks in ♥ because after that either one of our hands could trump. We needed to find our 4-4 ♠ fit.
So now I know to blame our bidding system. Partner and I need a way to discover a 4-4 major suit fit after one of us opens the bidding 1NT. We need to play the Stayman convention.
When partner opens 1NT you know they hold either 15, 16 or 17 HCP (High Card Points) with a balanced hand. Balanced hands can include one or even two 4 card Majors. If you have at least one 4 card Major you should see if you can find a 4-4 Major suit fit. This fit tends to play better than NT does. If you cannot find a fit and you hold a balanced hand also you want to play in NT. All that is left to determine is whether or not you want to play in a part-score, game or slam. Add your points to partner's to determine where you want to play. Remember there is no point in bidding any higher than 1NT if you know you cannot make a game.
Stayman is a perfect way to find a 4-4 Major suit fit once Partner has opened the bidding 1NT. I bid 2♣ (Stayman) to ask my Partner "Do you have a 4 card Major?". 2♣ says NOTHING about my ♣ suit. I could have a good ♣ suit, I could have a bad ♣ suit, no one knows (but me). In order to bid Stayman I should have at least 8 HCP and at least one 4 card major. If I have a balanced hand with less than 8 HCP we want to stay low in the bidding because we don't have enough for a game. If I do not have a 4 card major there is no point in bidding Stayman. Since I don't have a 4 card major we will not find a 4-4 major suit fit.
To make game in 3NT you need between 25 and 32 HCP.
To make 6NT you need between 33 and 36 HCP
To make 7NT you need between 37 and 40 HCP
Responding to 1NT opening bids with a fairly balanced hand playing Stayman:
Bid
Points
What this says to your Partner
Pass
0 to 7
We do not have the values for game so we are staying low.
2♣
8 or more
Partner, do you have a 4 card major?
2NT
8 or 9
Partner, I am inviting game. I can't quite bid it on my own or I would. I need you to have 17 points. If you do please bid 3NT. With only 15 points we don't have enough for a game. Please Pass.
3NT
10 to 15
Partner, we have enough for a game even if you have only 15 points. If you have 17 points we still do not have enough for a slam. Please trust me and Pass.
4NT
16 or 17
Partner, I am inviting a small slam. I can't quite bid it on my own or I would. I need you to have 17 points. If you do please bid 6NT. With only 15 points we don't have enough for a small slam. Please Pass.
5NT
20 or 21
Partner, we are going to a slam! I'm not sure whether or not we have enough for just a small slam or a grand slam. With only 15 points we just have enough for a small slam. Please bid 6NT. With 17 points we have enough for a grand slam. Please bid 7NT. Whatever you do, DO NOT PASS! We will have missed bidding a slam if you do!
6NT
18 or 19
Partner, we have enough for a small slam even if you have only 15 points. If you have 17 points we still only have enough for a small slam. Please trust me and Pass.
7NT
22 or more
Partner, I know you have at least 15 points so I know we have enough for a grand slam. Good luck!
Playing Stayman, what would you respond with each of the following hands if Partner opened the bidding 1NT (15 to 17 HCP)?
Hand 1
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