Hi Bobby,

On BWTA, how far would you take the principle e.g. in terms of opening 2NT on semi-balanced hands such as 4-4-4-1, 5-4-3-1 or 6-3-2-2 shapes, with (ideally) stiff Ace or KIng if you’ve got a singleton. I’ve noticed a growing tendency this side of the pond for people to bid like this.

Stayman for 5 card majors is helpful on hands like today provided that partner doesn’t nod off with a hand like Qxx xx J10xx Kxxx and remembers to check instead of just bidding 3N.

Any more thoughts here, though?

Regards,

Iain

Hi Iain,

Your scattered thoughts, as time goes by, become more and more profound.

And although your 4-4-4-1 and 6-3-2-2 shapes have become somewhat commonplace, the 5-4-3-1 shape has not, because specifically that one distribution is thought to be much more suit oriented than the other two.

At least, in the high-level player group the world over, are aware that the 6-3-2-2 hands (almost always a 6 card minor) lacks the defensive value most 2NT openers exert on their opponents, making a then intervention overcall by brave adversaries much more likely than days of yore, but still indeed possibly more rare than it should be.

And of course Puppet Stayman (a search for 5 card majors by the responder) can be critical in finding a 5-3 major suit fit, particularly so when fate will deal partner a matching doubleton opposite the opener’s same doubleton. However, we must all keep in mind that Puppet Stayman, while being of aid to the players using it, also, almost in direct kind, often enables the opening leader to choose a better opening lead, but also helps a listening partnership to find the best defense and sometimes at an early enough time in the defense to occasionally show a set when in the past it would have been unlikely to almost impossible, to occur.

Obviously bridge, particularly at certain higher levels, is changing in scope, keeping in mind one side sometimes has to give to get. Not unlike running a business, hoping for a great personal life, or other important life items, therefore making bridge playing and its practical logic, much more of a positive in adjusting to what also one encounters along life’s highway.

No doubt, from your post, your bridge instincts are on target as to what is happening world wide in what has been a steady progression (hoped for) in the tactics and psychology of improving the playing of our game.

However, never forget or belittle, the possibility that the more things change does not anywhere near 100% mean the better they get.

It only likely indicates that some group or groups are currently involved by experimenting with new twists and mentees are then following suit, especially with this much smaller world (because of travel and communication) we are now living.

Hi Bobby,

Playing Puppet Stayman after 2NT opener, if responder has game-going values and a 5-card major with a doubleton in the other major, is there a standard way to proceed? If it is to first bid 3C, if partner bids 3NT, would you now transfer at the 4 level, or would you vary it by suit holdings?

Hi Ted,

It is somewhat illogical to not transfer immediately, if for no other reason, than to avoid a 5-2 fit and thus play 3NT. However, all experienced players are well aware that sometimes a 5-2 fit is preferable to a 3NT final contract, but the guessing involved in so determining, makes cowards of us all in making that unusual decision.

So, either play Puppet Stayman or instead just the regular kind, and be prepared to pay off occasionally when, at least according to certain players, bad luck was just then impossible to overcome.

And always remember which some bridge scientists always deny. When more science is added to the offense, the opponents are also listening and too much double dummy defense is then offered by those worthy opponents, making the gain not worth that price.

However it is similar to some liking chocolate and others vanilla, and never the twain will meet.