Useful Mini Sequence after 1NT rebid of 1C/1D opening With No 4cd Support

It is quite often that you have 5 or more cards major (♥/♠)when partner open on 1 minor (1♣ or 1♦). Obviously you will respond 1H or 1S  (unless you are very weak that allow you to pass) – this ,of course, only promising 4 cards. When partner did not support, hence denying 4 cards support and bid 1NT instead (i.e: at least doubleton support, unless 4-4-4-1), your next move probably to check whether partner has 3 card supports. With 3 card support partner cannot raise to 2M (unless very very good 3 cards like AKJ) – so your bidding system need to be able to cater this possibility.

Based on what so-called “Check back Stayman” convention, this is the simplified requirement:

1. You open 1 minor (1♣ or 1♦)
2. Partner respond 1♥/1♠
3. You rebid 1NT
4. Opponent did not disturb – no competitive bidding
5. Then 2♣ bidding from partner is “Check Back Stayman” and the answer cannot be higher than partner suit:
   • 2♦ : no 3 card support of partner’s major – cannot bid 2♥ or 2♠
   • 2♥: 3 card ♥ support (only if partner bid 1♥) – if partner bid 1♥, then this bid means 4 cards ♥.
   • 2♠: 3 card ♠ support (only if partner bid 1♠)

Therefore:

1♣ – 1♥ // 1NT – 2♣:

• 2♦: there is no 3 cards ♥ support
• 2♥: 3 cards ♥ support
• 2♠: not used – answer cannot be higher than partner suit

—–

1♣ – 1♠ // 1NT – 2♣:

• 2♦: there is no 3 cards ♠ support
• 2♥: 4 cards ♥
• 2♠: 3 cards ♠ support

—–

1♦ – 1♥ // 1NT – 2♣:

• 2♦: no 3 cards ♥
• 2♥: 3 cards ♥support
• 2♠: not used – answer cannot be higher than partner suit

—–

1♦ – 1♠ // 1NT – 2♣:

• 2♦: no 3 cards ♠
• 2♥: 4 cards ♥
• 2♠: 3 cards ♠ support

—–

The bidder of Checkback Stayman can be weak or strong – it depends on the subsequent bidding:  rebid of Major or 3♣ are non forcing, 3 Major or 2NT are invitational.

This convention is very useful and effective to find 5-3 fit without guessing anymore. The only drawback is that you cannot “stop” at 2C. If you play short C system where 1C can be 2 cards C only, then it probably will not matter much. But even with 1C minimum 3 cards – convenient minor, probably passing 1NT with 5-3 fit in C produce more trick than 2C.

Give this convention a try !

Category: Bidding System

Tags: 5-3, bid sequence, checkback stayman