| Extended Stayman |
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Dear Ed & Peter, Thanks in advance, J. Bakker. Reply from Ed Hoogenkamp ('South'): Dear J. Bakker, Extended Stayman refers to South's 3♦ bid below:
2 Extended Stayman South's 3♦ asks North to bid his three card majors up the line, with 3NT showing both 3 card majors unless the partnership permits 1NT openings on 2-2-5-4 or 2-2-3-6 etc types, in which case 3NT would show 2-2 in the majors. This convention is also referred to as Weissberger. This seems to be the 'classic definition' of extended Stayman. There a variations though. You can find some here: Let's see if a Norwegian version exists (probably asking for a singleton or void in the hand of the 1NT opener...). Regards from Barcelona Reply from Peter van der Linden ('North'): Dear J. Bakker, That's Ed Hoogenkamp like we know him: ridiculing Norwegian bridge at the very moment Norway - ruling World and European Champions! - is leading the pack in the Bermuda Bowl.Like telling Tiger Woods he is using the wrong club... About Extended Stayman I must be brief: I had, until now, never heard of the convention. After checking Ed's links, I have the impression this convention has the same effect as this sequence: bidding a Jacoby transfer first and bidding the other major suit later. At first glance I do not see any advantages in Extended Stayman compared to the Jacoby sequence. But then again: I might have it all wrong. If so, please don't tell Ed, I prefer him ridiculing better bridge players than me. Regards from Orkanger PS: On second thoughts I think Ed is being serious about this 'asking for a singleton or void in the hand of the 1NT opener'. That is probably how they play it in Barcelona and it appeals to Ed, so he wants to find out more... Comment from David Mansfield Just a comment on Extended Stayman : If the 1NT opener bids 3-card suits up after 3♦* then the NT hand becomes declarer. This might not happen after a transfer sequence. David Mansfield Reaction to David's comment by Ed Hoogenkamp ('South'): Good point by David. With 5-4 in the majors the contract will be played by the weak hand if he rebids his four card and opener has a fit (in a standard transfer sequence). Reaction to David's comment by Peter van der Linden ('North'): Indeed an important advantage. |