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♥, 2–5♦, 2–5♣
- 5M(332)
- 6m(322)
Inclusive opening of 1NT solves rebidding problems:
- Exactly 15 HCP, slightly too weak for a reverse/jump
- Failure to reverse (especially a red suit) in competition
- Awful rebidding to 1♥-1♠
- Tricky rebidding to 1♥♠-1NT
BTU Stayman 2♣ not only asks for a 4-card major but also takes care of invitational 5= spades. Puppet Stayman 3♣ forces to game and queries 5 and 4-card majors.
| 1NT- | BAL 15–17 |
|---|---|
| 2♣! | (Garbage) STAY or INV 5=♠ |
| 2♦! | TRF, 5+♥ |
| 2♥! | TRF, 5+♠ |
| 2♠! | 6+♣ or QUANT INV |
| 2NT! | 5+♦, 4+♣ or 6+♦ |
| 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.
Discussion on bidding 5-5 majors
- Weak: Transfer to the better major suit. Give up on the other one.
- 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♥.
Minor suit transfers
| 1NT-2♠- | 6+♣ or QUANT INV |
|---|---|
| 2NT | MIN |
| 3♣! | MAX, 1–3♣ |
| 3♣-3♦! | FG PUP STAY |
| 3♣-3♥♠! | SPL, 0–1# |
| 3♦♥♠! | MAX, 4–6♣, good stopper |
| 1NT-2NT- | 5+♦, 4+♣ or 6+♦ |
|---|---|
| 3♣! | 1–2♦ |
| 3♦ | 3–4♦ |
| 3♥♠! | 5–6♦, good stopper |
| 3NT! | 5–6♦, good ♣ stopper |
Puppet Stayman at 3♣
| 1NT-3♣- | PUP STAY |
|---|---|
| 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=# |