Extended Stayman, why this? Ron Klinger's version.
#1
Posted 2004-November-18, 02:05
2♦: Minimum, both majors.
2♥: Minimum, 4 hearts, less than 4 spades.
2♠: Minimum, 4 spades, less than 4 hearts.
2NT: Minimum, neither major.
3♣: Maximum, neither major.
3♦: Maximum, both majors.
3♥: Maximum, 4 hearts, less than 4 spades.
3♠: Maximum, 4 spades, less than 4 hearts.
To me, it seems more logical to use:
2♦: Minimum, neither major.
2♥: Minimum, 4 hearts, may have 4 spades.
2♠: Minimum, 4 spades, less than 4 hearts.
2NT: Maximum, neither major.
3♣: Maximum, both majors
3♦: Not used.
3♥: Maximum, 4 hearts, less than 4 spades.
3♠: Maximum, 4 spades, less than 4 hearts.
The only real difference is that I've combined the 2♦ and 2♥ bids into 2♥, and moved all of the non-major bids down a step. But that's a big difference, because it allows you to stop in 2 of a major across any minimum, not just a minimum with a fit. And you can now stop at 2NT across any hand that doesn't have a major suit.
Let's see if I can convert a problem hand to 15-18 NT...
KJxxx
Kxxx
xxx
x
If partner has a minimum with no fit, I want to be at 2 spades.
If partner has a maximum with no fit, I don't mind being at 3 spades.
If partner has 4 hearts and a minimum, I want to play in 2 hearts.
If partner has 4 spades and a minimum, or 4 hearts and a maximum, I want to be in game.
In Klinger's system, I can't use Stayman. The problem is, after 2NT (partner's most likely bid), I have no convenient rebid. I can't even bid 3♠, since that's a game force.
The only significant change I can find for responder's rebids is
1NT 2♣
2♥ 2♠
In Klinger's system, this is not forcing, so you can play in a 4-3 spade fit if your partner has 4 hearts. Unfortunately, you cannot play in a 4-3 spade fit if your partner does not have four hearts, which to me is the far more important case.
In my case, this is forcing: opener is forced to rebid 2NT with fewer than 4 spades, and bids higher (but not higher than 3♠) with 4 spades. It doesn't seem to lose us much, not unless there's some case where I want to bid Stayman with 5+ spades and fewer than 4 hearts, and I cannot imagine such an animal.
Am I missing anything? Why did he make his system the way he did?
P.S. It may be worth pointing out that I'm using an opening NT of 12-15, rather than 15-18. For reasons that he mentions in his book, I feel a greater need to respond with both majors, even if across a minimum I don't believe we can make 2NT.
#2
Posted 2004-November-18, 02:51
#3
Posted 2004-November-18, 09:22
Free, on Nov 18 2004, 02:51 AM, said:
well?
#4
Posted 2004-November-18, 09:47
note: I'm too lazy to start typing all these relay biddings in this editor, knowing most people will just not use it.
#5
Posted 2004-November-22, 14:24
jtfanclub, on Nov 18 2004, 08:05 AM, said:
2♦: Minimum, both majors.
2♥: Minimum, 4 hearts, less than 4 spades.
2♠: Minimum, 4 spades, less than 4 hearts.
2NT: Minimum, neither major.
3♣: Maximum, neither major.
3♦: Maximum, both majors.
3♥: Maximum, 4 hearts, less than 4 spades.
3♠: Maximum, 4 spades, less than 4 hearts.
To me, it seems more logical to use:
2♦: Minimum, neither major.
2♥: Minimum, 4 hearts, may have 4 spades.
2♠: Minimum, 4 spades, less than 4 hearts.
2NT: Maximum, neither major.
3♣: Maximum, both majors
3♦: Not used.
3♥: Maximum, 4 hearts, less than 4 spades.
3♠: Maximum, 4 spades, less than 4 hearts.
The only real difference is that I've combined the 2♦ and 2♥ bids into 2♥, and moved all of the non-major bids down a step. But that's a big difference, because it allows you to stop in 2 of a major across any minimum, not just a minimum with a fit. And you can now stop at 2NT across any hand that doesn't have a major suit.
Let's see if I can convert a problem hand to 15-18 NT...
KJxxx
Kxxx
xxx
x
If partner has a minimum with no fit, I want to be at 2 spades.
If partner has a maximum with no fit, I don't mind being at 3 spades.
If partner has 4 hearts and a minimum, I want to play in 2 hearts.
If partner has 4 spades and a minimum, or 4 hearts and a maximum, I want to be in game.
In Klinger's system, I can't use Stayman. The problem is, after 2NT (partner's most likely bid), I have no convenient rebid. I can't even bid 3♠, since that's a game force.
The only significant change I can find for responder's rebids is
1NT 2♣
2♥ 2♠
In Klinger's system, this is not forcing, so you can play in a 4-3 spade fit if your partner has 4 hearts. Unfortunately, you cannot play in a 4-3 spade fit if your partner does not have four hearts, which to me is the far more important case.
In my case, this is forcing: opener is forced to rebid 2NT with fewer than 4 spades, and bids higher (but not higher than 3♠) with 4 spades. It doesn't seem to lose us much, not unless there's some case where I want to bid Stayman with 5+ spades and fewer than 4 hearts, and I cannot imagine such an animal.
Am I missing anything? Why did he make his system the way he did?
P.S. It may be worth pointing out that I'm using an opening NT of 12-15, rather than 15-18. For reasons that he mentions in his book, I feel a greater need to respond with both majors, even if across a minimum I don't believe we can make 2NT.
One big problem is that your 3 level bids take up a lot of space and it's hard for responder to show his shortness, sometimes, it's very important.
#6
Posted 2004-November-22, 15:58
Maybe this extended stayman isnt ment to be the best thing.
#7
Posted 2004-November-22, 17:10
Flame, on Nov 23 2004, 07:58 AM, said:
Maybe this extended stayman isnt ment to be the best thing.
Yes Flame. He has not played this stuff for years. The revised Keri is excellent.
Ron
#8
Posted 2004-November-22, 18:53
#9
Posted 2004-November-22, 19:17
#11
Posted 2004-November-23, 04:18
The_Hog, on Nov 23 2004, 02:17 AM, said:
Can you send it to me as well? I'm playing the "book" version and would like to see what are the latest developments
#12
Posted 2004-November-26, 15:19
One observation about opener's rebids of 2NT(D) and 3C over 2C to show minimum hands with six-card minors: What if opener has an invitational 4-4-4-1 and hears 3C? There are other shapes where opener has a singleton in responder's long minor, and would prefer to be playing in two of a major. Even 4-5-2-2 might be happier playing in 2H on a 5-3 fit, than 3C on a 6-2. I guess I am wondering if the "new" 2NT and 3C rebids are truly valuable. (I am just asking, as I have no doubt at all that Mr. Klinger knows a lot more about the value of these sequences than I do!)
Thanks in advance to anyone who can send me the Keri file.
#13
Posted 2004-November-29, 08:12
For example, he mentions SCROLL, a system to find voids developed by the Australian Expert Seres. While its great to find voids, they are infrequent, and if I remember there was a cost in using SCROLL, either in cue bidding, splinters, or RKCBW.

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