DOUBLE BARRELED STAYMAN

The concept of Double Barreled Stayman has been derived from Two-Way Stayman, which is the use of any of a variety of conventions, variations, modifications that use a 2 Clubs response to a 1 No Trump opening as Stayman, and that use a response of 2 Diamonds as a supplement to Stayman, with separate meanings given to the rebids of the partnership, allowing a two-way communication between the partners in order to describe their holding further.

Double Barreled Stayman is, simply stated, the combination of Non-Forcing Stayman and Game-Forcing Stayman.

After the partner has opened the auction with 1 No Trump, the 2 Clubs bid by the responder is understood as Non-Forcing Stayman, whereas a response of 2 Diamonds is understood as a Game-Forcing Stayman bid.

Both bids, either the 2 Clubs or 2 Diamonds bid by the responder, are asking for a 4-card Major suit.

Opener
AKQ4
A76
Q43
J84
1 No Trump
Responder
J876
KJ43
72
765
2

If the partnership agreement includes the variation of Double Barreled Stayman, then the responder would bid 2 Clubs in the above example. The requirements are that the responder hold one Major suit or both 4-card Major suits, and that the responder hold fewer than 10 high card points. How many high card points fewer than 10 high card points is a matter of partnership agreement. The structure and the location of the honors in the hand of the responder should be considered carefully.

In the above example, the opener realizes that the responder does not wish to continue the bidding to game, because the 2 Clubs response, using Double Barreled Stayman, is Non-Forcing. If the responder makes a rebid, however, then the rebid is only invitational, and not forcing upon the opener.

When the responder holds 10 high card points or more, then the response should be 2 Diamonds.
Opener
AKQ4
A64
Q43
J54
1 No Trump
Responder
J1063
873
A7
KQJ7
2

The response of 2 Diamonds, after a 1 No Trump opening, commits the partnership virtually to game. The opener can show his holding with the following rebids:

2 :

 shows a 4-card Heart suit

2 :

 shows a 4-card Spade suit

2 NT:

 shows no 4-card Major suit

3 :

 shows a 5-card Club suit

3 :

 shows a 5-card Diamond suit

Since the partnership has committed itself to game after the response of 2 Diamonds, slam possibilities may be explored at lower levels of bidding. This is a definite advantage to Double Barreled Stayman. However, it is generally accepted practice, that if the responder, after the rebid of the opener, jumps to game, then the responder does not have the values for slam, and the auction ends.

One minor disadvantage of the response of the 2 Diamond game-forcing bid is that the opponent directly following may double this bid, which is then lead directing for his partner.

If you and your partner wish to add this variation of the Stayman convention to your list, then it is urged that you first become acquainted with this variation, define your limitations as to the response of 2 Clubs, and then add it to your list.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.

Claus and Raymond

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