No shortage? - No Stayman: Free bridge lessons

When you have a 4-card major opposite a No Trump opening, you learn to bid Stayman to find that all important 8-card fit. With a balanced hand, however, you can usually get a better score if you stick to a No Trump contract. Maggie Hadley

[@hanzi696]

Thank you for these videos. I'm a beginning bridge player & I've really enjoyed learning this fascinating game

[@oasisbridgetuition]

Very welcome!

[@MsYtab]

Your videos are excellent, no waffle and hold my attention completely!

[@oasisbridgetuition]

Thank you for this Yvonne, good to hear!

[@patriciabovard7920]

This is the best! Thanks

[@oasisbridgetuition]

Thank you Patricia.

[@johnworf]

I've had this discussion with a couple of England players who I've played with, and against (Rhona Goldenfield and Kath Nelson), Rhona said she would always bid 3NT and Kath said she would always use Stayman...so it's kind of up in the air this one. The 1NT / 2NT opener could potentially have a semi-balanced (even a 6-card minor - if you play that - some people open 1nt with a singleton as well!) even though your hand is totally flat. Partner can even have a 5 card major... you might have 4333 shape opposite 5332...where 3nt you might be wide open in clubs - or just one stopper and can only make 9 tricks safely on a club lead for example. Realistically you'd need to put this hand through a computer simulator and see how many times 3NT beat 4 major. There are other aspects in this as well - if you use Stayman - then that might get doubled for a club lead. If you bid 1nt 3nt - they are more likely to lead spades...and if you have 4 spades in your hand - then this could be beneficial to a 1nt - 3nt style auction.

[@cookiedom5938]

Thank you, very clearly explained and being one who's first thought is Stayman with 11+ hcp, I obviously need to re-evaluate. I can see this if opener is 4 3 3 3 as here, but 5 3 3 2? or 4 4 3 2? and both more likely than 4 3 3 3- as responder there is no way to know. Are you saying a 4-4 major fit only works better when both hands have a shortage? You are also passing up the (remote) possibility of missing a 9 card major fit. One thing to be said for avoiding Stayman, ,the defence have less information to work with and are more likely to lead a major.

[@oasisbridgetuition]

Thank you for making these points - I would never say one approach is right or wrong - there are always pros and cons and not giving too much info to opponents can be valuable! My advice would always be to do what you and your partner feel most comfortable with.

[@johnworf]

sounds like you are going to be a good player cookie - keep up the good work.