Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Bidding After 1NT Opener Responds 2 Spades to our Stayman Bid and we have Game or Slam Forcing Values (Easier)
This post will help practice what to do after our Partner opens 1NT, we respond 2♣ (Stayman) and Partner then responds 2♠ (I have 4 ♠ and I do NOT have 4 ♥).
If you are not sure what Stayman is, please check out the previous Stayman posts before reading this one:
Introducing Stayman (Easier)
Responding to Stayman (Easier)
Let's practice our responses to Partner's 2♠ Stayman response when we have a game forcing or slam forcing hand.
What is a game forcing hand you ask? Basically a hand that just wants to bid game no matter what. If Partner opened the bidding 1NT these would be fairly balanced hands with about 10 to 15 HCPs.
What is a slam forcing hand you ask? Basically a hand that wants to bid a slam no matter what. If Partner opened the bidding 1NT these would be fairly balanced hands with about 18 or 19 HCPs.
In order to bid Stayman Partner must have opened the bidding 1NT (or 2NT but we'll do that later). We had a 4 card Major and decided to bid Stayman to see if we could find a 4-4 Major suit fit. In these examples Partner responded 2♠. That says "Partner I have a 4 card ♠ suit. I do NOT have a 4 card ♥ suit." Now we have to decide what to do from here.
When Partner opened the bidding 1NT we knew they had between 15 and 17 HCP. We know that if we have between 10 and 15 points we have enough for a game but not enough for a slam. Even if Partner has the lowest point count they could possibly have it is still 15 points. Their 15 points plus our 10 points is 25 points. That is enough for a game. If we have 15 HCP Partner only has 17 at the very most. 15+17=32. We need 33 to make a small slam. Just not enough for a small slam.
If we have 18 or 19 HCP we know we have enough for a small slam. But NOT a grand slam. After all Partner must have 15 points. 15+18 is 33 at the least. That's enough for a small slam. If Partner has 17 HCP even if we had 19 HCP 19+17=36. That is not enough for a grand slam.
So with 10 to 15 points we know we have enough for a game but not a slam. We just didn't know where since we have a 4 card major and wanted to find a fit. But when Partner responded 2♠ we now know if we have a fit. If you have found a 4-4 ♠ fit you need to bid 4♠. If you did not find a fit you still need to bid game. You can now place the contract in 3NT.
So with 18 or 19 points we know we have enough for a small slam but not a grand slam. We just didn't know where since we have a 4 card major. But when Partner responded 2♠ we now know if we have a fit. If you have found a 4-4 ♠ fit you need to bid 6♠. If you did not find a fit you still need to bid the slam. You can now place the contract in 6NT.
So on ALL these hands Partner opened the bidding 1NT (15-17). You decided to bid 2♣ (Stayman). Partner then responded with 2♠. That response says that Partner has a 4 card ♠ suit and does NOT have a 4 card ♥ suit. It says nothing else about Partner's hand. With that in mind it is your turn to bid. What will you respond?
Hand 1
♠ AKT6
♥ A53 ♦ AK42 ♣ J2 ♠ A73
♥ J432 ♦ AQ52 ♣ A2 ♠ KJ87
♥ A974 ♦ KT4 ♣ T4 ♠ A7
♥ AQ83 ♦ AJ86 ♣ A54 ♠ K532
♥ T94 ♦ KQT4 ♣ K4 ♠ KJ6
♥ AK86 ♦ A7 ♣ K976 ♠ AT9
♥ A852 ♦ 92 ♣ KQJ4 ♠ KT
♥ KT84 ♦ QT5 ♣ QT98 ♠ K643
♥ AJ42 ♦ A4 ♣ AQ2 ♠ AJT5
♥ KT ♦ 32 ♣ AK983 ♠ A5
♥ J753 ♦ K42 ♣ KJ72 ♠ AJ73
♥ Q3 ♦ J963 ♣ A83 ♠ A86
♥ Q632 ♦ A974 ♣ J2 ♠ KQ92
♥ 7543 ♦ KT9 ♣ A3 ♠ A5
♥ J983 ♦ K86 ♣ AK73 ♠ J5
♥ Q973 ♦ A82 ♣ A985 ♠ KJ54
♥ AK54 ♦ K7 ♣ A72 ♠ JT84
♥ A4 ♦ AJ976 ♣ 83 ♠ AJ7
♥ AJ85 ♦ KQ97 ♣ A8 ♠ AK74
♥ 954 ♦ K975 ♣ K3 ♠ J2
♥ KQ65 ♦ JT5 ♣ A872 ♠ 65
♥ J872 ♦ AKQ9 ♣ Q92 ♠ AK83
♥ A6 ♦ 965 ♣ AKJ8 ♠ AK8
♥ K942 ♦ A7 ♣ KQT2 ♠ QJ62
♥ KQT ♦ J7 ♣ K853 ♠ AT
♥ AJT7 ♦ AJ ♣ AJT94 ♠ A986
♥ AKQ8 ♦ A4 ♣ Q42 ♠ 83
♥ 9873 ♦ AK54 ♣ AK4 ♠ QJ64
♥ 43 ♦ 64 ♣ AK942 ♠ Q72
♥ AQ87 ♦ AKT7 ♣ A9 ♠ AKT4
♥ 8652 ♦ K76 ♣ Q2 ♠ AT7
♥ Q942 ♦ QT ♣ AK62 ♠ AK83
♥ K95 ♦ A9 ♣ A943 ♠ A2
♥ KJ73 ♦ 53 ♣ AQJ96 ♠ AK54
♥ T3 ♦ T3 ♣ AK962 ♠ KT73
♥ KT6 ♦ AT ♣ KJ73 ♠ J8
♥ J652 ♦ KT4 ♣ AQJ9 ♠ KT6
♥ KQ87 ♦ A985 ♣ AQ ♠ K873
♥ QJ4 ♦ KQ54 ♣ 82 ♠ A9
♥ AKQ6 ♦ Q4 ♣ AT764 ♠ KQT5
♥ J97 ♦ A732 ♣ KT ♠ AQJT
♥ A7 ♦ A62 ♣ AT94 ♠ KJ53
♥ KJ92 ♦ K3 ♣ AKJ ♠ 98
♥ JT42 ♦ A93 ♣ AJ73
Bidding After 1NT Opener Responds 2 Hearts to our Stayman Bid and we have Game or Slam Forcing Values (Easier)
This post will help practice what to do after our Partner opens 1NT, we respond 2♣ (Stayman) and Partner then responds 2♥ (I have 4 ♥ and I MIGHT have 4 ♠).
If you are not sure what Stayman is, please check out the previous Stayman posts before reading this one:
Introducing Stayman (Easier)
Responding to Stayman (Easier)
Let's practice our responses to Partner's 2♥ Stayman response when we have a game forcing or slam forcing hand.
What is a game forcing hand you ask? Basically a hand that just wants to bid game no matter what. If Partner opened the bidding 1NT these would be fairly balanced hands with about 10 to 15 HCPs.
What is a slam forcing hand you ask? Basically a hand that wants to bid a slam no matter what. If Partner opened the bidding 1NT these would be fairly balanced hands with about 18 or 19 HCPs.
In order to bid Stayman Partner must have opened the bidding 1NT (or 2NT but we'll do that later). We had a 4 card Major and decided to bid Stayman to see if we could find a 4-4 Major suit fit. In these examples Partner responded 2♥. That says "Partner I have a 4 card ♥ suit. I MIGHT have a 4 card ♠ suit." Now we have to decide what to do from here.
When Partner opened the bidding 1NT we knew they had between 15 and 17 HCP. We know that if we have between 10 and 15 points we have enough for a game but not enough for a slam. Even if Partner has the lowest point count they could possibly have it is still 15 points. Their 15 points plus our 10 points is 25 points. That is enough for a game. If we have 15 HCP Partner only has 17 at the very most. 15+17=32. We need 33 to make a small slam. Just not enough for a small slam.
If we have 18 or 19 HCP we know we have enough for a small slam. But NOT a grand slam. After all Partner must have 15 points. 15+18 is 33 at the least. That's enough for a small slam. If Partner has 17 HCP even if we had 19 HCP 19+17=36. That is not enough for a grand slam.
So with 10 to 15 points we know we have enough for a game but not a slam. We just didn't know where since we have a 4 card major and wanted to find a fit. But when Partner responded 2♥ we now know we might have a fit. If you have found a 4-4 ♥ fit you need to bid 4♥. If you did not find a fit you still need to bid game. You can now place the contract in 3NT.
So with 18 or 19 points we know we have enough for a small slam but not a grand slam. We just didn't know where since we have a 4 card major. But when Partner responded 2♥ we now know we might have a fit. If you have found a 4-4 ♥ fit you need to bid 6♥.
So on ALL these hands Partner opened the bidding 1NT (15-17). You decided to bid 2♣ (Stayman). Partner then responded with 2♥. That response says that Partner has a 4 card ♥ suit. They also MIGHT have a 4 card ♠ suit. It says nothing else about Partner's hand. With that in mind it is your turn to bid. What will you respond?
Hand 1
♠ AT7
♥ Q942 ♦ QT ♣ AK62 ♠ AJT5
♥ KT ♦ 32 ♣ AK983 ♠ K873
♥ QJ4 ♦ KQ54 ♣ 82 ♠ KJ54
♥ AK54 ♦ K7 ♣ A72 ♠ AT9
♥ A852 ♦ 92 ♣ KQJ4 ♠ A73
♥ J432 ♦ AQ52 ♣ A2 ♠ AKT4
♥ 8652 ♦ K76 ♣ Q2 ♠ AJ7
♥ AJ85 ♦ KQ97 ♣ A8 ♠ 83
♥ 9873 ♦ AK54 ♣ AK4 ♠ KJ87
♥ A974 ♦ KT4 ♣ T4 ♠ Q72
♥ AQ87 ♦ AKT7 ♣ A9 ♠ A2
♥ KJ73 ♦ 53 ♣ AQJ96 ♠ A9
♥ AKQ6 ♦ Q4 ♣ AT764 ♠ A5
♥ J983 ♦ K86 ♣ AK73 ♠ KQ92
♥ 7543 ♦ KT9 ♣ A3 ♠ AK8
♥ K942 ♦ A7 ♣ KQT2 ♠ J8
♥ J652 ♦ KT4 ♣ AQJ9 ♠ QJ62
♥ KQT ♦ J7 ♣ K853 ♠ AT
♥ AJT7 ♦ AJ ♣ AJT94 ♠ AK74
♥ 954 ♦ K975 ♣ K3 ♠ KJ53
♥ KJ92 ♦ K3 ♣ AKJ ♠ KT
♥ KT84 ♦ QT5 ♣ QT98 ♠ J2
♥ KQ65 ♦ JT5 ♣ A872 ♠ KJ6
♥ AK86 ♦ A7 ♣ K976 ♠ K532
♥ T94 ♦ KQT4 ♣ K4 ♠ A7
♥ AQ83 ♦ AJ86 ♣ A54 ♠ QJ64
♥ 43 ♦ 64 ♣ AK942 ♠ AK54
♥ T3 ♦ T3 ♣ AK962 ♠ A986
♥ AKQ8 ♦ A4 ♣ Q42 ♠ 98
♥ JT42 ♦ A93 ♣ AJ73 ♠ KQT5
♥ J97 ♦ A732 ♣ KT ♠ KT6
♥ KQ87 ♦ A985 ♣ AQ ♠ JT84
♥ A4 ♦ AJ976 ♣ 83 ♠ A86
♥ Q632 ♦ A974 ♣ J2 ♠ A5
♥ J753 ♦ K42 ♣ KJ72 ♠ K643
♥ AJ42 ♦ A4 ♣ AQ2 ♠ 65
♥ J872 ♦ AKQ9 ♣ Q92 ♠ J5
♥ Q973 ♦ A82 ♣ A985 ♠ KT73
♥ KT6 ♦ AT ♣ KJ73 ♠ AJ73
♥ Q3 ♦ J963 ♣ A83
Bidding After 1NT Opener Responds 2 Diamonds to our Stayman Bid and we have Game or Slam Forcing Values (Easier)
This post will help practice what to do after our Partner opens 1NT, we respond 2♣ (Stayman) and Partner then responds 2♦ (I do NOT have a 4 card major).
If you are not sure what Stayman is, please check out the previous Stayman posts before reading this one:
Introducing Stayman (Easier)
Responding to Stayman (Easier)
Let's practice our responses to Partner's 2♦ Stayman response when we have a game forcing or slam forcing hand.
What is a game forcing hand you ask? Basically a hand that just wants to bid game no matter what. If Partner opened the bidding 1NT these would be fairly balanced hands with about 10 to 15 HCPs.
What is a slam forcing hand you ask? Basically a hand that wants to bid a slam no matter what. If Partner opened the bidding 1NT these would be fairly balanced hands with about 18 or 19 HCPs.
In order to bid Stayman Partner must have opened the bidding 1NT (or 2NT but we'll do that later). We had a 4 card Major and decided to bid Stayman to see if we could find a 4-4 Major suit fit. In these examples Partner responded 2♦. That says that we did NOT find a 4-4 Major suit fit. Now we have to decide what to do from here.
When Partner opened the bidding 1NT we knew they had between 15 and 17 HCP. We know that if we have between 10 and 15 points we have enough for a game but not enough for a slam. Even if Partner has the lowest point count they could possibly have it is still 15 points. Their 15 points plus our 10 points is 25 points. That is enough for a game. If we have 15 HCP Partner only has 17 at the very most. 15+17=32. We need 33 to make a small slam. Just not enough for a small slam.
If we have 18 or 19 HCP we know we have enough for a small slam. But NOT a grand slam. After all Partner must have 15 points. 15+18 is 33 at the least. That's enough for a small slam. If Partner has 17 HCP even if we had 19 HCP 19+17=36. That is not enough for a grand slam.
So with 10 to 15 points we know we have enough for a game but not a slam. We just didn't know where since we have a 4 card major and wanted to find a fit. But when Partner responded 2♦ we knew we didn't have a fit. Now we know we have to play in some form of NT. We can now place the contract in 3NT.
So with 18 or 19 points we know we have enough for a small slam but not a grand slam. We just didn't know where since we have a 4 card major. But when Partner responded 2♦ we knew we didn't have a fit. Now we know we have to play in some form of NT. We can now place the contract in 6NT.
So on ALL these hands Partner opened the bidding 1NT (15-17). You decided to bid 2♣ (Stayman). Partner then responded with 2♦. That response says that Partner has NO 4 card major. It says nothing else about Partner's hand. With that in mind it is your turn to bid. What will you respond?
Hand 1
♠ J5
♥ Q973 ♦ A82 ♣ A985 ♠ KJ53
♥ KJ92 ♦ K3 ♣ AKJ ♠ AKT4
♥ 8652 ♦ K76 ♣ Q2 ♠ AJT5
♥ KT ♦ 32 ♣ AK983 ♠ KT6
♥ KQ87 ♦ A985 ♣ AQ ♠ A5
♥ J983 ♦ K86 ♣ AK73 ♠ JT84
♥ A4 ♦ AJ976 ♣ 83 ♠ J8
♥ J652 ♦ KT4 ♣ AQJ9 ♠ AK8
♥ K942 ♦ A7 ♣ KQT2 ♠ AK83
♥ K95 ♦ A9 ♣ A943 ♠ AT7
♥ Q942 ♦ QT ♣ AK62 ♠ QJ62
♥ KQT ♦ J7 ♣ K853 ♠ A986
♥ AKQ8 ♦ A4 ♣ Q42 ♠ A73
♥ J432 ♦ AQ52 ♣ A2 ♠ A2
♥ KJ73 ♦ 53 ♣ AQJ96 ♠ AK83
♥ A6 ♦ 965 ♣ AKJ8 ♠ A5
♥ J753 ♦ K42 ♣ KJ72 ♠ AJ73
♥ Q3 ♦ J963 ♣ A83 ♠ QJ64
♥ 43 ♦ 64 ♣ AK942 ♠ A7
♥ AQ83 ♦ AJ86 ♣ A54 ♠ AK74
♥ 954 ♦ K975 ♣ K3 ♠ KQT5
♥ J97 ♦ A732 ♣ KT ♠ A9
♥ AKQ6 ♦ Q4 ♣ AT764 ♠ KT
♥ KT84 ♦ QT5 ♣ QT98 ♠ 83
♥ 9873 ♦ AK54 ♣ AK4 ♠ AJ7
♥ AJ85 ♦ KQ97 ♣ A8 ♠ A86
♥ Q632 ♦ A974 ♣ J2 ♠ AT
♥ AJT7 ♦ AJ ♣ AJT94 ♠ KT73
♥ KT6 ♦ AT ♣ KJ73 ♠ KQ92
♥ 7543 ♦ KT9 ♣ A3 ♠ 98
♥ JT42 ♦ A93 ♣ AJ73 ♠ K643
♥ AJ42 ♦ A4 ♣ AQ2 ♠ KJ87
♥ A974 ♦ KT4 ♣ T4 ♠ K532
♥ T94 ♦ KQT4 ♣ K4 ♠ AKT6
♥ A53 ♦ AK42 ♣ J2 ♠ AT9
♥ A852 ♦ 92 ♣ KQJ4 ♠ KJ6
♥ AK86 ♦ A7 ♣ K976 ♠ K873
♥ QJ4 ♦ KQ54 ♣ 82 ♠ J2
♥ KQ65 ♦ JT5 ♣ A872 ♠ AQJT
♥ A7 ♦ A62 ♣ AT94 ♠ 65
♥ J872 ♦ AKQ9 ♣ Q92 ♠ Q72
♥ AQ87 ♦ AKT7 ♣ A9 ♠ AK54
♥ T3 ♦ T3 ♣ AK962 ♠ KJ54
♥ AK54 ♦ K7 ♣ A72
Responding to Stayman (Easier)
Read the Introducing Stayman (Easier) post first.
When you open the bidding 1NT sometimes Partner wants to know if you hold a 4 card major in your hand. To ask, they bid 2♣ Stayman. Just like when Partner opens 1 of a minor we bid our 4 card suits up the line. That means if you have both 4♥ and 4 ♠ you tell Partner about the ♥ first. If you do not have a 4 card major you reply 2♦. This says nothing about your ♦ suit. It just says you do not have a 4 card major.
Summary that states the three responses you give when Partner bids 2♣ Stayman to your 1NT opening bid:
Question: Why can't I jump to 3NT to show partner I have a nice hand?
Answer: You have told Partner you have a nice hand when you opened the bidding 1NT. It is now up to Partner to decide where to play the hand. Partner knows your hand. You have no idea what Partner's hand is. Partner is asking you a question. Please just answer them.
Question: I have 4 really bad ♠. Should I tell Partner about them?
Answer: Yes. Maybe Partner has really good ones. Maybe not. Your 4-4 fit rates to be better than NT in any case.
Question: Can I skip over my bad 4 card ♥ suit to show Partner my really good 4 card ♠ suit?
Answer: No. Bid your 4 card suits up the line. You are not saying you have a good 4 card suit. Just a 4 card suit.
Let's test out this knowledge. On each of the following hands you opened the bidding 1NT. Partner answered 2♣ Stayman. What will you bid and what are you telling Partner?
Hand 1
♠ KQJ2
♥ Q62 ♦ KQJ3 ♣ J9 ♠ KJ5
♥ Q97 ♦ KQ65 ♣ A74 ♠ K654
♥ KJ8 ♦ AJ86 ♣ K4 ♠ 53
♥ KQ5 ♦ Q864 ♣ AKQ5 ♠ Q84
♥ AKJ7 ♦ Q542 ♣ KT ♠ J3
♥ K95 ♦ AQJ9 ♣ KJ93 ♠ 763
♥ AK4 ♦ K852 ♣ AJ3 ♠ Q854
♥ KQ7 ♦ AQ74 ♣ K2 ♠ QT3
♥ J98 ♦ A732 ♣ AKJ ♠ AJ8
♥ A842 ♦ KQ3 ♣ KT7 ♠ QT73
♥ QJ6 ♦ K954 ♣ AK ♠ AJT3
♥ KQ32 ♦ 95 ♣ KQ9 ♠ AK5
♥ Q84 ♦ KQ7 ♣ Q653 ♠ 8532
♥ AK ♦ KQ4 ♣ K974 ♠ A63
♥ AK74 ♦ A43 ♣ T82 ♠ K3
♥ KJ42 ♦ 832 ♣ AKQ4 ♠ A73
♥ Q7 ♦ AK62 ♣ QT43 ♠ A962
♥ A8 ♦ K32 ♣ A872 ♠ A964
♥ K4 ♦ J86 ♣ AK87 ♠ AJ72
♥ AQ3 ♦ QT94 ♣ K8 ♠ AKJ
♥ J93 ♦ KQJ3 ♣ J83 ♠ AK9
♥ 65 ♦ KJT2 ♣ KJ84 ♠ AQ9
♥ K432 ♦ KJ6 ♣ KT7 ♠ AQ95
♥ QJ ♦ J85 ♣ AQT3 ♠ AQJ2
♥ 52 ♦ QT8 ♣ AQT4 ♠ K6
♥ KJT8 ♦ AQ8 ♣ Q532 ♠ K72
♥ K874 ♦ KQ ♣ AQT8 ♠ KQ86
♥ A942 ♦ K9 ♣ QJ4 ♠ KQJ3
♥ KQ43 ♦ QJ3 ♣ J4 ♠ KT5
♥ KQ74 ♦ K86 ♣ KJ5 ♠ QJT3
♥ AKQ2 ♦ T2 ♣ A42 ♠ T43
♥ QT75 ♦ AQ92 ♣ AK ♠ KJ7
♥ Q86 ♦ AKQ3 ♣ T83 ♠ QJ7
♥ AKJ5 ♦ J2 ♣ AJ43 ♠ KQ
♥ AT93 ♦ 862 ♣ AQ76 ♠ Q96
♥ AT ♦ KQ75 ♣ AQ65 ♠ KQT5
♥ 85 ♦ AKT4 ♣ A96 ♠ JT94
♥ T32 ♦ AK4 ♣ AKJ ♠ KJ7
♥ QJ96 ♦ T7 ♣ AKJ7 ♠ K532
♥ AKQJ ♦ 82 ♣ A95 ♠ AQ52
♥ 73 ♦ AT84 ♣ KQ4 ♠ AQ6
♥ A73 ♦ A65 ♣ K982 ♠ AQT3
♥ K872 ♦ Q94 ♣ A7 ♠ AQ4
♥ 532 ♦ AQ432 ♣ K9 ♠ AQ
♥ 7654 ♦ AJ92 ♣ AQ4 ♠ A32
♥ A543 ♦ AJ ♣ QJ86 ♠ A95
♥ QJ94 ♦ J5 ♣ AQJ3 ♠ AKQ8
♥ JT43 ♦ 76 ♣ AK8 ♠ QT8
♥ AK32 ♦ K53 ♣ AJT ♠ QJ5
♥ QT5 ♦ AQ4 ♣ KQ43 ♠ K6
♥ KQ4 ♦ AK93 ♣ QT53 ♠ KJ
♥ AJ76 ♦ AQT5 ♣ Q52 ♠ 942
♥ AKQT ♦ JT ♣ AJ83 ♠ AQ98
♥ A6 ♦ J43 ♣ KQT3 ♠ A9
♥ KQ42 ♦ Q76 ♣ KJ87 ♠ A4
♥ QJ95 ♦ K962 ♣ AQ7 ♠ A87
♥ KQT8 ♦ QJ7 ♣ A85 ♠ AK54
♥ QJT9 ♦ K94 ♣ K3 ♠ AJ52
♥ QJ9 ♦ KJ5 ♣ KQ4 ♠ 52
♥ K973 ♦ KQ5 ♣ AQJ2 ♠ AJ8
♥ AJ42 ♦ AQ3 ♣ T53 ♠ A9
♥ KJ97 ♦ AK7 ♣ T654 ♠ K75
♥ A872 ♦ K8 ♣ KQJ3 ♠ AJ72
♥ J9 ♦ KJ2 ♣ KQ83
| Bid | What the bid means |
| 2♦ | Partner I do NOT have a 4 card major. |
| 2♥ | Partner I have 4 ♥. I MIGHT have 4 ♠. |
| 2♠ | Partner I have 4 ♠. I do NOT have 4 ♥. |
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