[Free]

Me and my partner have played Puppet Stayman after 2NT openings for a while. We now came up with a new idea, to put Smolen inside the structure, so we get more bidding options. This is the structure:

3C = relay
  3D = no 4 card M or both 4-4 M
  3H = 4/5 card H, no 4 card S
  3S = 4 card S
  3NT = 5 card S

After 2NT-3C-3D:
3H = Smolen (4H & 5+S) OR no 4 card M OR slam invitation in m
  3S = relay
    3NT = no 4 card M
    4m = slam invitation m
    4H = 5S-4H, slam invitation
      4S = RKC H
      4NT = RKC S
    4S = 5S-4H, no slam invitation
  3NT = to play
3S = Smolen (4S & 5+H)
  3NT = to play opposite 5-4
    4D = transfer H
3NT = 4 card M
  4C = relay
    4D/H = transfer

After 2NT-3C-3H
3S = relay, asks for 5 card H
  3NT = only 4 hearts
  4C/D/H = shows shortage (from low to high)
3NT = to play

I'd like to know what you think about it, and if we would be able to improve it. Please don't start saying it's complicated, me and my partner don't mind that Note that the 3S and 3NT answers on 2NT-opening become free, for whatever you would like to play (minor suit stayman, or something else). We're still working on that...

[inquiry]

It's complicated.

Why reinvent the wheel, have you tried niemeijer transfers? Now that is complicated.

http://home.nikocity...nt/Neimejer.htm

[Free]

inquiry, on Jan 17 2004, 06:18 AM, said:

It's complicated.

Why reinvent the wheel, have you tried niemeijer transfers? Now that is complicated.

http://home.nikocity...nt/Neimejer.htm

I play that already, and the new scheme seems even better. If someone invented a wheel, why did someone else invented the tires??? Yes, to drive more comfortable

[mikestar]

Looks quite good. More complex than Puppet Stayman but covers more ground. Like most method I've seen over 2NT, it doesn't solve the problem of responder being 5-3 in the majors and having to allow for opener being 2-5. I doubt any method can without having opener break transfers without a fit as Niemeijer does.

[Free]

mikestar, on Jan 17 2004, 02:52 PM, said:

Looks quite good. More complex than Puppet Stayman but covers more ground. Like most method I've seen over 2NT, it doesn't solve the problem of responder being 5-3 in the majors and having to allow for opener being 2-5. I doubt any method can without having opener break transfers without a fit as Niemeijer does.

Actually it does. Responder transfers, and if opener has 5-2 he'll bid 3NT, and responder can transfer the major he wants.

3D = transfer H
  3H = normal
  3NT = 5S-2H
    4D = retransfer H
    4H = transfer S
3H = transfer S
  3S = normal
  3NT = 5H-2S
    4D = transfer H
    4H = retransfer S

[mikestar]

Free, on Jan 17 2004, 12:31 PM, said:

mikestar, on Jan 17 2004, 02:52 PM, said:

... it doesn't solve the problem of responder being 5-3 in the majors and having to allow for opener being 2-5. [I}I doubt any method can without having opener break transfers without a fit ... [/I]

Actually it does. Responder transfers, and if opener has 5-2 he'll bid 3NT, and responder can transfer the major he wants.

3D = transfer H
  3H = normal
  3NT = 5S-2H
    4D = retransfer H
    4H = transfer S
3H = transfer S
  3S = normal
  3NT = 5H-2S
    4D = transfer H
    4H = retransfer S

You missed my point. You do cover that case, but at the price of requiring responder to reach 4H on S xx H xxxxxx D xx C xxx when he least wants to--when opener only has doubleton support. With this structure responder can't count on bieng able to get out at 3H/3S as he can with simple Jacoby. The super accept with a fit is no porblem. Opposite 4 trumps and prime cards, the yarborogh above has a gret shot at 4H.

I'm not saying that price isn't worth paying, I'm just noticing that it's there.

[Trpltrbl]

Since you said you have 3 free, I will give you a hint of maybe something you might like

2 NT - 3 (forces 3 NT)
3 NT -
4 singlesuited slam interest
4 singlesuited slam interest
4 singleton and both minors slam
4 singleton and both minors slam
4 NT both minors slam going with void in Major
5 very little slaminterest, singlesuited
5 very little slaminterest, singlesuited

Mike

[mishovnbg]

............................................Hi Frederick!....................................
I like your invention! In my opinion is better to open low with strong hands instead of make self in problem sequence opening 2NT, but if you already did it, yoor "tires" looks pretty .
............................................Hi Trpltrbl!....................................
I think you miss:

After 2NT-3C-3D:
3H = Smolen (4H & 5+S) OR no 4 card M OR slam invitation in m
 3S = relay
   4m = slam invitation m 

You already have slam hands with long ♣/♦!
My suggestion is to use 3♠ as transfer for ♣ and 3NT as transfer for ♦ where strenght is only slam try and 3NT is not forcing.
Misho

[Rado]

Hi Free and all friends,

The bidding structure (2NT-3C) proposed seems to be much better that standart Stayman, puppet Stayman or Baron. At first glance I see only one little disadvantage:
- the possibility to have single suited minor slam try when starting with 3C. This may often lead to wrong sided contract which might be crucial or to bidding misunderstandings like:
2NT - 3C(relay)
3NT (5 card S) - 4m = Cue agreening !S or single suited minor or......

That's why maybe the old idea for 2NT-3S/4C as minor transfers (C/D) fits perfectly with the other stuff.

(to Misho only - 2NT-3NT as D transfer might be easily forgotten, so let's leave 3NT to sound as natural as possible )

BTW I'm going soon to insert this 2NT-3C structure in my regular live partnership so maybe after some time will have more practicle view on it.

Best regards
Rado

[Free]

I came up with the idea of using 3♠ as a puppet to 3NT. It can be used to play 3NT (with 3334 distribution for example) without asking or saying anything, or to show 4M-5+m slam try. Following bids are available after the puppet:

Pass = to play
4C = 4H-5+D
4D = 4S-5+C
4H = 4H-5+C
4S = 4S-5+D

3NT is still available...

Wrong siding the contract in singlesuited ♣ might be a problem, however to reach this 2NT, we open with 1♣, 2♣ or 2♦, which rightsides the contract most of the time We play some kind of modified Polish Club (we call it Logsta - our names) and 21-22 is included in 2♣ opening, 23-24 in the 2♦ opening, and 18-20 or 25+ in the 1♣ opening...