Best/Most Comprehensive NT structure

[Cyberyeti]

I actually used to play an 11-16 1N in 1st/2nd, 14-19 3rd/4th.

 

What we did was to use inv+ 4 card transfers to the majors with 2 point range step responses without/with a fit, and used 2♣ as a sort of bucket bid for many other hands. This worked surprisingly well, the only issue being handling the middle range which was not GF opposite the invite.

 

Was looking at trying to play a wide range no trump again and put together something a bit simpler with only two ranges, but haven't got it together yet.

[mikestar13]

Been studying 5-4 major hands and I have a solution: use Romex Stayman rather than Puppet Stayman.

 

Rebids after 1NT-2♣:

2♦=denies 4♥ or 5♠

2♥=4 or 5 ♥, not 4♠

2♠=5♠

2NT=4-4 majors, minimum

3♣=4-4 majors,maximum

 

Rebids after 1NT-2♣-2NT/3♣:

Pass (of 2NT)=to play

3♦/3♥=transfer to next higher suit

3NT=to play

 

Rebids after 1NT-2♣-2♠:

2NT/3NT=no ♠ fit

3♠/4♠=♠ fit

 

Rebids after 1NT-2♣-2♥:

2♠=asks for ♥ length; partner will bid NT with 4 and ♥ with 5

2NT/3NT=no major interest

3♥/♥=♥ support

 

Rebids after 1NT-2♣-2♦:

2♥=asks for 4♠

2♠=5♠-4♥-x♦-x♣, invitational

2NT/3NT=no major interest

 

 

The rest of system remains the same except that 1NT-2♥-2♠-3♥ is forcing 5-4 majors, while 1NT-2♦-2♥-2♠ is 4-5 majors, invitational or better, round forcing only.

[olien]

It seems like many of these stayman structures use 2N/3♣ to show 4/4 major hands directly over the stayman response. This would seem like it wouldn't work all that well. Why is it played like this and does it work well? (especially opposite an 11+-14 NT)

[MickyB]

It seems like many of these stayman structures use 2N/3♣ to show 4/4 major hands directly over the stayman response. This would seem like it wouldn't work all that well. Why is it played like this and does it work well? (especially opposite an 11+-14 NT)

 

It really depends what hands you are putting through Stayman. The advantage is that 1N:2C, 2M denies four in the other major. Playing standard stuff, this means that 1N:2C, 2M:2NT neither shows nor denies length in the other major without any guesswork later, and 1N:2C, 2H:3m, 3S isn't needed to agree spades. The main disadvantage is that garbage hands land up at the three-level. I'm using a structure where Stayman then 3m is invitational with or without a major, sadly this isn't compatible with the "both major" 2NT and 3C responses because I would need every bid over 2NT to be non-forcing.

[Gerben42]

I played 1N - 2♣ - 2N as 5♥ and with one partner even 3m directly as 4441 hands. That worked well :)

[Zelandakh]

It seems like many of these stayman structures use 2N/3♣ to show 4/4 major hands directly over the stayman response. This would seem like it wouldn't work all that well. Why is it played like this and does it work well? (especially opposite an 11+-14 NT)

This is a standard trick used in puppet schemes. The idea is to be able to handle all of the GF hands with both majors through 3C rather than needing to use all of 3D, 3H and 3S which is less efficient. In 4 card major Stayman schemes 3C usually requires 5-4 majors (a form of Extended Stayman) and then you only gain a potential advantage if pushing 5-5 hands through Stayman, against the loss of another meaning for the 3m rebid. Whether it works well depends more on the rest of the system than the benefits of the convention itself. The idea itself is sound and has been around for a long time.

[skaftij]

Where can I find description of Heeman?

[chalcraft]

I like hitchhiker over a weak NT:

 

2♣=stayman

2♦= hitchhiker

2M = to play

2N/3♣ = weak transfer

3♦ = puppet

3M = stiff

 

the responses to HH are:

 

2M = 2 card in that major

2N = at least 3-3 in majors , min

3m = at least 3-3 in majors, 4+m, max

3M = 5M - 3oM

 

The only problem with this is that it is hard to set a major in a GF auction after a 2M response to 2♦.

In this case I think Heeman is a little more well defined. Also heeman has that 3!D multi-invitational! :D

 

a link is here: http://gerben.homepage.t-online.de/homepage/systems/weaknt.html

 

@cchalc

@tresboof

[Free]

Where can I find description of Heeman?

Here