[flytoox]

I am playing with a new pd and he devises a relay based precision system with 14-16 HCP NT. After 1N opening, 2C is NF stayman and 2D is GF stayman. I am not quite sure the merit of it. Has anyone ever heard this 2C/2D after an intermediate NT opening? Thx in advance.

[mike777]

I have over 12-15

[EricK]

One merit of it is that opener knows the combined strength of the hand so that 4th hand intervention is easier to deal with.

Another is that immediate weak take outs of 2♥/2♠ are, in principle, better than transfers on weak hands (for the same reason that natural pre-empts are better than transfer pre-empts).

[Gerben42]

If you like relays after a quite strong NT you should use just transfers and Stayman, and the first relays:

1N - 2C - 2D - 2S
1N - 2C - 2H - 2S
1N - 2C - 2S - 3C

http://www.geocities...bridge/1nt.html

No need for 2-way Stayman, which is a quite horrible method.

Over a weaker NT I prefer no transfers, no relays, no 2-way Stayman, but:
http://www.geocities...dge/weaknt.html

[helene_t]

This is known as two-way stayman. It was part of C.C. Wei's original Precision, not sure if he invented it himself or if it is older. Many Chinese on BBO play it. I have also seen it in high-level competition, for example by the Chinese Women's selection.

I have no opinion about its technical merrits but I like to play it on BBO as you can just agree to play 2-way-stayman, which pretty much defines the whole scheme. If you agree to play "standard" you never know what (if any) kind of minor suit transfers and Smolen partner assumes.

[Free]

The biggest advantage of transfers is constructive bidding. You need that the most after 14-16 or stronger NT's, so imo transfers are a better solution. With weak NT however, it might be useful. The advantage of 1NT-2M signoff is clear, but if it rarely comes up and if it blocks your constructive bidding, it's no good imo.

[Flame]

I think you better not use 2 way, it doesnt worth it.

[Vilgan]

2 way stayman is very useful if you play micro or weak NT. My partner and I play 10-13 NT when not vulnerable, so with that... 2 way stayman is very useful. Over a strong (which imo 14-16 is) or even intermediate, the disadvantages to 2 way stayman and not using transfers rapidly outweigh the advantages.

So ya... 2 way stayman can be nice, but not with 14-16 NT.