Strong 1NT
This bidding system has a strong notrump opening. In contrast to Polish Club 2020, this opening allows a 5-card major or a 6-card minor. All the possible distributions are:
- 2–4♠, 2–4♥, 2–6♦, 2–6♣
- 5M(332)
Inclusive opening of 1NT solves rebidding problems:
- Failure to reverse (especially a red suit) in competition
- Awful rebidding to 1♥ - 1♠
- Tricky rebidding to 1♥♠ - 1NT
Narrow (11–16) major suit openings welcome Precision-like continuations. Fast and precise bidding follows. Now we open 1NT for balanced 17-counts and 1♣ for unbalanced ones.
| 1NT - | |
|---|---|
| 2♣! | STAY, maybe crawling |
| 2♦! | TRF, 5+♥ |
| 2♥! | TRF, 5+♠ |
| 2♠! | 6+♣ or QUANT INV |
| 2NT! | 6+♦ or (5+♦, 4+♣) |
| 3♣! | PUP STAY |
| 3♦! | INV+, 5+♠, 5+♥ |
| 3♥! | SPL, 0–1♥, 0–3♠, 4–6♦, 4–6♣ |
| 3♠! | SPL, 0–1♠, 0–3♥, 4–6♦, 4–6♣ |
| 3NT | S/O |
| 4♣! | TRF, 6+♥, South African Texas |
| 4♦! | TRF, 6+♠, South African Texas |
| 4♥♠ | S/O |
| 4NT | QUANT INV to 6NT, NF |
| 5NT | QUANT INV to 7NT, F |
Picking the better Stayman
Both Staymans come into range when responder has game-forcing values.
- 5+ 4+ majors: Stayman 2♣ wins via subsequent Smolen transfers.
- 4− 3− majors: Only Puppet Stayman 3♣ finds 5-3 fits.
- Balanced 4-4 majors: The lower 2♣ allows playing 3NT if opener is (4333).
- Unbalanced 4-4 majors: Anything goes.
Crawling Stayman
Crawling Stayman, a superset of Garbage Stayman, is an agreement to let 2♣ include weak hands.
- Garbage Stayman: 3+♠, 3+♥, 4+♦
- Crawling Stayman: 4+♠, 4+♥, 0–4♦, besides Garbage Stayman
The ulterior motive of Garbage Stayman is to pass any opener’s rebid, including 2♦. Crawling Stayman expands the plan. Responder can now take out with weak 4+♠ and 4+♥, even short in diamonds. Responder crawls to 2♥ P/C over 2♦ when lacking diamonds.
Discussion on bidding 4=♠ and 5+♥
Crawling Stayman has a side effect. The standard meaning of 2♣ - 2♦ - 2♥ needs a new home. Luckily, there is a spare step after the heart transfer because we bid 3♦ for invitational+ 5+ 5+ majors.
- Invitational: Transfer to hearts and then bid 2NT!
- Game-forcing: Bid Stayman 2♣. Smolen transfers follow.
Discussion on bidding 5+ 5+ majors
- Invitational: Bid 3♦.
- Choice of games: Bid 3♦ most of the time. Transfer to spades and then bid 4♥ if you prefer 4♠ > 4♥ > 3NT.
- Slam try: Transfer to spades and then bid 3♥.
Opener picks the major, declining game at the three level or accepting at the four level. With a maximum and a doubleton in each major (e.g. 22(54)), opener picks 3NT instead. With a maximum and slam interest, opener control-bids 4♣ or 4♦ rather than jumping straight to game:
| 1NT - 3♦ - | |
|---|---|
| 3♥ | MIN, prefers ♥ |
| 3♠ | MIN, prefers ♠ |
| 3NT | MAX, dislikes both majors |
| 4♣! | MAX, S/T in ♥, CTRL |
| 4♦! | MAX, S/T in ♠, CTRL |
| 4♥ | MAX, prefers ♥, S/O |
| 4♠ | MAX, prefers ♠, S/O |
A choice-of-games responder raises opener’s three-level pick to game.
Minor suit transfers
| 1NT - 2♠ - | |
|---|---|
| 2NT | MIN |
| 3♣! | MAX, 1–3♣ |
| 3♣ - 3♦! | FG PUP STAY |
| 3♣ - 3♥♠! | SPL, 0–1# |
| 3♦♥♠! | MAX, 4–6♣, good stopper |
| 1NT - 2NT - | |
|---|---|
| 3♣! | 1–2♦ |
| 3♦ | 3–4♦ |
| 3♥♠! | 5–6♦, good stopper |
| 3NT! | 5–6♦, good ♣ stopper |
Puppet Stayman at 3♣
| 1NT - 3♣ - | |
|---|---|
| 3♦! | 2–4♠, 2–4♥ |
| 3♦ - 3♥! | Smolen TRF, 4=♠ |
| 3♦ - 3♠! | Smolen TRF, 4=♥ |
| 3♦ - 3NT | S/O |
| 3♦ - 4♣! | S/T, 44(xx) |
| 3♦ - 4♦! | COG, 44(xx) |
| 3♥♠ | 5=# |