Extended Stayman

[Tcyk]

I used to play what my partner and I called Extended Stayman. Actually, it was
a relay just as Stayman is a relay. After opener bids 2D or 2H in response to
Stayman, 2S by responder is Extended Stayman. If opener bids 2S in response to
Stayman, then 2NT is Extended Stayman. It is possible for opener to completely
describe his shape at or below 3NT. Extended Stayman was forcing to game or
four of a minor suit and we alerted 2C -- does not promise a 4-card major,
Sequences that did not include Extended Stayman showed either a weak or
invitational strength hand.

The convention works like this:

1NT (P) 2C (P)
2D (P) 2S (P)
2NT 5 Clubs
3C 3=3=3=4 or x=x=4=4
3D 3=3=4=3
3H 3=3=5=2
3S 3=2=5=3
3NT 2=3=5=3

Simalarly:

1NT (P) 2C (P)
2H (P) 2S (P)
2NT 4=4=x=x
3C x=4=x=4 or 3=4=3=3
3D x=4=4=x
3H 3=5=3=2
3S 3=5=2=3
3NT 2=5=3=3

And finally:

1NT (P) 2C (P)
2S (P) 2NT (P)
3C 4=x=x=4 or 4=3=3=3
3D 4=x=4=x
3H 5=3=3=2
3S 5=3=2=3
3NT 5=2=3=3

[John]

Post by Tcyk
I used to play what my partner and I called Extended Stayman. Actually, it was
a relay just as Stayman is a relay. After opener bids 2D or 2H in response to
Stayman, 2S by responder is Extended Stayman. If opener bids 2S in response to
Stayman, then 2NT is Extended Stayman. It is possible for opener to completely
describe his shape at or below 3NT. Extended Stayman was forcing to game or
four of a minor suit and we alerted 2C -- does not promise a 4-card major,
Sequences that did not include Extended Stayman showed either a weak or
invitational strength hand.
1NT (P) 2C (P)
2D (P) 2S (P)
2NT 5 Clubs
3C 3=3=3=4 or x=x=4=4
3D 3=3=4=3
3H 3=3=5=2
3S 3=2=5=3
3NT 2=3=5=3
1NT (P) 2C (P)
2H (P) 2S (P)
2NT 4=4=x=x
3C x=4=x=4 or 3=4=3=3
3D x=4=4=x
3H 3=5=3=2
3S 3=5=2=3
3NT 2=5=3=3
1NT (P) 2C (P)
2S (P) 2NT (P)
3C 4=x=x=4 or 4=3=3=3
3D 4=x=4=x
3H 5=3=3=2
3S 5=3=2=3
3NT 5=2=3=3

Wow! That looks complicated! . I've always thought Extended Stayman is
simply a 3D bid opposite a 2D negative asking for 3 card major.
Partner responds either 3H, 3S or 3NT if 3-3 in the majors. We don't
use it very often as we also play transfers, but it can be very
effective if you are 5-5 in hearts and spades opposite a 1NT opener.

BTW We play Benji Acol, so 1NT is 12-14.

[Tcyk]

Post by John
Wow! That looks complicated! . I've always thought Extended Stayman is
simply a 3D bid opposite a 2D negative asking for 3 card major.
Partner responds either 3H, 3S or 3NT if 3-3 in the majors. We don't
use it very often as we also play transfers, but it can be very
effective if you are 5-5 in hearts and spades opposite a 1NT opener.
BTW We play Benji Acol, so 1NT is 12-14.

It isn,t as tough as it looks because it is consistant. My partner and I were
playing his version of superprecision so our nt range was 13-15.

I did a study using BridgeBrowser. It appears that the lower your 1nt opening
range. the better will be your results at least on OKBridge. A possible
explanation is that better players use the lower ranges. Also, opponents don't
know how to compete against weaker no trumps.

Tcyk

[Keith Sheppard]

Also, opponents don't know how to compete against weaker no trumps.

Depends where you are from. If by "weaker" NT you mean 12-14 then I would
say that the vast majority of UK players use this range. A conventional
defence to 1NT is often one of the first things that new partnerships take
on board after mastering the basics.

If by "weaker" NT you mean something like the mini (10-12) then maybe so.

Keith

[Gordon Rainsford]

Post by Keith Sheppard

Also, opponents don't know how to compete against weaker no trumps.

Depends where you are from. If by "weaker" NT you mean 12-14 then I would
say that the vast majority of UK players use this range.

He's talking about OKbridge, where a weak NT is rare.

Post by Keith Sheppard
A conventional
defence to 1NT is often one of the first things that new partnerships take
on board after mastering the basics.

The popular defences to 1NT on OKB often preclude doubling for
penalties.

Post by Keith Sheppard
If by "weaker" NT you mean something like the mini (10-12) then maybe so.
Keith

[Tcyk]

Post by Gordon Rainsford
The popular defences to 1NT on OKB often preclude doubling for
penalties.

Post by Keith Sheppard
If by "weaker" NT you mean something like the mini (10-12) then maybe so.
Keith

Idid my study of games played on OKB. I searched for hands opened 1NT with
8-10, 10-12, 12-14,15-17, and 18-20 HCP. The higher the range the lower the
results, especially at IMPs. The 8-10 range was a little questionable because
of the small sample size.

Tcyk

[Gerben Dirksen]

Post by Tcyk

Post by Gordon Rainsford
The popular defences to 1NT on OKB often preclude doubling for
penalties.

Post by Keith Sheppard
If by "weaker" NT you mean something like the mini (10-12) then maybe so.
Keith

Idid my study of games played on OKB. I searched for hands opened 1NT with
8-10, 10-12, 12-14,15-17, and 18-20 HCP. The higher the range the lower the
results, especially at IMPs. The 8-10 range was a little questionable because
of the small sample size.
Tcyk

Might be because most weaker players play 15-17?

Gerben

[John Schuler]

Post by Tcyk

Post by Gordon Rainsford
The popular defences to 1NT on OKB often preclude doubling for
penalties.

Post by Keith Sheppard
If by "weaker" NT you mean something like the mini (10-12) then maybe so.
Keith

Idid my study of games played on OKB. I searched for hands opened 1NT with
8-10, 10-12, 12-14,15-17, and 18-20 HCP. The higher the range the lower the
results, especially at IMPs. The 8-10 range was a little questionable because
of the small sample size.

Perhaps my partnership (jrs/shadow) can provide some clarification, since we play
3 ranges:
10-12 NV 1st and 2nd, 12-15 VUL 1st and 2nd, 14-16 3rd and 4th. Our Okbridge
tournament results may provide an answer as to your assertion (at least for our
partnership).

Post by Tcyk
Tcyk