[helene_t]

(Sorry, Ben, for plagiating your sub-heading)

In the Nov issue of Dutch GF Magazine "Bridge", Wim Hemskerk described the Hee-man convention. It's similar to Pubbet Stayman/Jacoby except that 4M and 5M have been flipped:

1NT-(pass)-?
- 2♣ Pubbet to 2♦
- 2♦/♥ transfer to hearts/spades

The difference from pubbet stayman/jacoby is that a direct transfer shows either 4 or 6 cards, or a weak hand.

Thus 2♣ is either weak with diamonds or inv+ with excact 5M.

1NT-(pass)-2♣-(pass)
2♦-(pass)- ?

- 2♥ 5 spades, inv+
- every other bid implies 5 hearts

It's supposed to reveal less of declares holding than does Stayman, but as far I can see Pubbet Stayman has very similar merrits.

Any opinions?

[Free]

What's "pubbet"?

Might work, I should test it before I know for sure...

[inquiry]

No problem, I have played a version of this and it works ok, and can be quite fun.

Ben

[bridgeboy]

how do you respond with 5 card H sign off? transfer direct? so transfer and bid is 4 or 6? anyway to clarify after that?

Thanks

[helene_t]

A transfer to hearts can be very weak with 5+ so opener reacts as with Jacoby.

I suppose that responder's next bid in notrumps or a new suit implies four hearts, while a splinter or a raise shows six hearts.

I like to play
1NT-2♦
2♥-2♠*
as a relay whereas 2/3NT would have shown four spades. It rightsides the contract and the second relay gives some flexibility - you could play
1NT-2♦
2♥-3m
as forcing, so that an invitational hand with clubs 6♣+4♥ goes via the relay, or vice versa. You could play a similar structure after
1NT-2♣
2♦-?
2♥ spades
2♠ five hearts, either invite+ w/o second suit or invitational 5♥+5m
2/3NT five hearts, four spades
3m 5+♥ 4+m GF
3♥ 5-5 majors, invite
3♠ 0544

Advantages relative to Stayman/Jacoby:
- Conceals declarer's four-cards
- Can stop in 2♠ when responder has an invitational hand with 5+ spades
- A weak hand with diamonds bids 2♣ so a direct 2NT response does not have to be transfer to diamonds.

Disadvantages:
- More oportunities for lead-directing doubles
- No take-out with both majors or ♠♥♦

In those respects it is equivalent to Puppet Stayman/Jacoby. Note, however
1NT-2♥
2♠-3NT
Here, opener did not get to showing his five-card hearts. Responder may ask for it with a relay, but that would probably not be worth the costs.