Slam-Try Stayman

The Slam-Try Stayman is a variation of the Stayman convention and is generally used as a feature of 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 the holding further.

Slam-Try Stayman also uses the bid by the responder of 2 Clubs to ask his partner, the 1 No Trump bidder, for a 4-card Major suit.

However, when playing Slam-Try Stayman, if the responder bids 2 Diamonds, this response immediately alerts the 1 No Trump bidder that his partner is already strongly interested in slam.

The responder can also have slam in mind when he responds 2 Clubs, and later makes a game-forcing rebid, similar to Forcing or Non-Forcing Stayman.

The advantage of the Slam-Try Stayman variation is that the partnership can realize slam possibilities at a low level and start exploring. In responding to 2 Diamonds, the opener can show any or both 4-card Major suits and whether he holds minimum or maximum values. This is essential in realizing whether the slam try is a valid try or whether the partnership should stop short of slam, due to lack of values and/or key cards. The rebids by the 1 No Trump bidder are as follows, and each rebid describes the holding further.

Opener	Responder
1 NT	2		Slam-Try Stayman by responder
2			shows 4 Hearts, less than 4 Spades
2			shows 4 Spades, less than 4 Hearts
2 NT			shows no 4-card Major suit, minimum values
3			shows 4 Hearts and 4 Spades
3			shows no 4-card Major suit, maximum values
3			shows a 5-card Heart suit
3			shows a 5-card Spade suit

It is not necessary to post an illustration for each and every rebid by the opener, but the following examples should illustrate the definite exchange of information necessary to decide whether slam is a definite possibility or not a possibility.

Opener

KJ8 Q98 K107 AQJ8

1 No Trump

Responder

AQ95 K6 QJ943 K9

2

Opener		Responder
1 NT		2		Slam-Try Stayman
2 NT				shows no 4-card Major suit, minimum values
		3 NT		Responder signs off

In each of the following examples of bidding sequences:

Opener		Responder
1 NT		2		Slam-Try Stayman
2				shows 4 Hearts, less than 4 Spades
		2 NT		shows equivalent values for a standard 4 No Trump response

Opener		Responder
1 NT		2		Slam-Try Stayman
2				shows 4 Spades, less than 4 Hearts
		3		shows equivalent values for a standard 4 No Trump response

both the opener and responder have exchanged sufficient information about their holding that will decide the final contract. If the No Trump bidder, although he has not shown maximum values, has maximum values, he will then explore slam by cuebidding the key cards. If, however, the No Trump bidder has minimum values, then he will simply bid game.

 

 

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.

 

 

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