RANGE STAYMAN
The origin of this conventional method is unknown, but the concept has become popular in certain bidding circumstances. It is applied in the Fourth Seat after two passes, which means that the Range Stayman becomes a balancing feature. The following should clarify this concept.
North
East South West 1 /
Pass Pass 1 NT
The balancing 1 No Trump does not promise an actual 1 No Trump range. Normally, the No Trump range is considered to be between 15 and 17/18 high card points. Those partnership agreements using a lower No Trump range or variable No Trumps, depending on vulnerability, may have to make changes and allowances accordingly, if they wish to employ the Range Stayman conventional method.
Using Range Stayman, the balancing 1 No Trump, over a Minor suit opening, promises a range between 11-14 high card points.
North
East South West 1 /
Pass Pass 1 NT
Using Range Stayman, the balancing 1 No Trump, over a Major suit opening, promises a wider range between 11-16 high card points. The concept behind this difference is that the bidding space may become less after a Major suit opening.
North
East South West 1 /
Pass Pass Double Pass 1 or 2 (x) Pass (x) NT
In order to show a standard No Trump range of 15-17/18 high card points, the balancing seat doubles first and then rebids No Trump at the lowest level.
The following diagram shows the possible promised ranges after a Major suit opening. Since the 1 No Trump balancing No Trump bid is forcing, the partner must respond as cheaply as possible in order to discover the range held.
North
East South West Meaning 1 Pass Pass 1 NT Range undetermined; one round forcing. Pass 2 Asks partner to announce range. 2 Any possible suit response promises 11-13 hcps. 2 NT This response promises a maximum of 14-16 hcps. Pass 3 This is the normal Stayman convention. 3 Promises a 4-card Heart suit. 3 Promises a 4-card Spade suit.
In the example above, East must have the values to bid on the three level if East wishes a continuation of the auction. Otherwise, East should sign off at the earliest opportunity, but may not pass any range-showing responses since they are completely artificial.
An example may illustrate that game can be reached:
North East South West
QJ1084 765 AK9 K9
97 K1094 QJ8 A876
632 J2 5432 5432
AK5 AQ83 1076 QJ10 1 Pass Pass 1 NT Pass 2 Pass 2 NT (2) Pass 3 Pass 3 Pass 4 Pass Pass Pass
The 1 No Trump in the balancing seat is Range Stayman promising a range of 11 to 16 high card points, a Spade stopper and a balanced to semi-balanced holding. East, the partner must make the cheapest bid of 2 (1), in order to discover the range, 1. either minimum or 2. maximum. The rebid of 2 NT (2), informs East that the range is maximum between 14 to 16 high card points. In order not to miss the possible fit in Hearts, East then rebids 3 (3), which is normal Stayman. West responds that a 4-card Heart suit is held, and East then bids game in Hearts.
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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