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Stayman - answer with both majors

#21 User is offline   mgoetze 

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Posted 2015-November-18, 11:52

View Postjfnrl, on 2015-November-18, 11:11, said:

In my opinion, the main minus of stayman 3 responses is that slam auctions are more complicated.

Playing stayman 4 responses, if the auction begins :
1NT 2C
2H 3D

The responder may look for a stopper in C (plausible contracts are 3NT, 4M -fit 4-3, 5D); he may also show a strong hand with or without fit (plausible contracts 4H, 5D, slam in D/H).
It seems me very complicated if he must keep in mind that the opener may have 4S.

That may have been a problem in the bad old days when people didn't play 4-way transfers and this was the only way to start a slam try in diamonds. Nowadays I expect responder has guaranteed 4 spades on this auction and he doesn't have to worry all the time because opener knows for sure whether they have a spade fit or not.
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#22 User is offline   1eyedjack 

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Posted 2015-November-18, 11:59

View Postjfnrl, on 2015-November-18, 11:11, said:

In my opinion, the main minus of stayman 3 responses is that slam auctions are more complicated.

In my opinion, the main minus of stayman 3 responses is that you get to play in 3M opposite a minimum with a fit. Which may make. It may be odds on to make. But will fail on occasion, losing out to those who could buy it a level lower.
If you give up on garbage hands, so that stayman absolutely promises (at least) a game try, then you have not just 2N but the whole of the 3 level to play with, on maximum hands. This not only allows you to play at the 2 level with an invite opposite a minimum, but the distinction is also of value when responder has a slam try (which may be part of the point that jfnrl was making).Whether that makes it worthwhile giving up on garbage is a matter of opinion. May depend on the strength of the 1N. Of course you may go down another road and give up on Stayman entirely.
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