Rebids after Stayman

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K862
♥AQ94
♦Q76
♣A6

You are Dealer and open the bidding 1NT. The Opponents are silent during the bidding. Partner responds 2♣ which is Stayman. Partner is asking if you have a four card major. We decided last post to bid 2♥ -- bid your four card suits up the line.

Over 2♥ Partner now bids 3NT.

What is your call?

Show Answer

It should be 4♠. Why?

Partner is asking if you have a four card major. You said you did -- you told Partner you have four ♥.

Partner retreated back to 3NT. Partner is showing the values for game. But Partner doesn't want to play in 3NT. They want to play in 4♠.

Well why doesn't Partner just bid 4♠ then?

Because Partner does NOT know you have four ♠. You never told them you did.

But YOU know Partner has four ♠. They bid Stayman. They MUST have a four card major. You bid ♥. They did NOT like ♥. If they have a four card major and it is not ♥ it MUST be ♠.

If they did not want to play in a four four ♠ fit they would never have bid Stayman.