[strong 1c]

Playing double barreled Stsyman, I opened 1Nt 10-14) and you have Axxxx J 10 KQxxxx. What’s your bid? Playing match point scoring

[mike777]

2C then 3C?

[jillybean]

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What is double barreled stayman ? 2C inv. 2D gf?
I want to play in the lowest number of clubs I can, if we can't stop in 3C I'll pass.

(I don't like the 5 point range)

[strong 1c]

 jillybean, on 2026-August-30, 10:24, said:

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What is double barreled stayman ? 2C inv. 2D gf?
I want to play in the lowest number of clubs I can, if we can't stop in 3C I'll pass.

yes..2C stayman is 12-14 and 2NT for us is a relay to Clubs over 1NT

With these two bids available, what do you choose ? 2S is to Play is another choice

[jillybean]

clubs . the spades are just too weak, and short!

[strong 1c]

So 1Nt-2Nt-3c.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

if the seq.

1NT - 2NT
3C - 3S

showes 6-5, gf this would be a reasonable way to go.
In the end, if you have a spade fit, you are making 4S,
if you lack a spade fit, you have a club fit, but the NT opener
will need at least 2 Aces to give 5C a reasonable shot of making,
and fitting values, with the Ace of clubs, you may also make 3NT.

Given that you play MP, staying low, i.e. bidding only 2S, will
also be ok, playing MP, majors rule.

I would show 65 if possible, otherwise stay low.
If you go double barreled Stayman, there is the option to have
relais auction, enabling you to get openers shape.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[mikeh]

 jillybean, on 2026-August-30, 10:24, said:

---

What is double barreled stayman ? 2C inv. 2D gf?
I want to play in the lowest number of clubs I can, if we can't stop in 3C I'll pass.

So, partner holds KQxx Axxx Axx xx


Obviously he isn’t at all likely to hold that hand and you’re not getting to slam when he does. But I’d far rather play in spades than in clubs any time he has 3 spades, and he rates to have at least 3 spades more often than not. Even if he is prone to opening 1N with a stiff honour. Since we’re playing two way stayman, I can usually afford 2C then 2S over 2D or 2H, and correct 2N to 3C. If he jumps to 3N over my 2S, expecting me to have invitational values. I’ll pass. Clubs rate to run so I’m giving him 7 tricks in my hand and I’ll hope he has two more (in addition to the hoped for club Ace). Am I going to be delighted to play 3N? Usually not but this way I find all my spade fits (opposite 4 spades I bid game)

[strong 1c]

 mikeh, on 2026-August-30, 12:40, said:

So, partner holds KQxx Axxx Axx xx


Obviously he isn’t at all likely to hold that hand and you’re not getting to slam when he does. But I’d far rather play in spades than in clubs any time he has 3 spades, and he rates to have at least 3 spades more often than not. Even if he is prone to opening 1N with a stiff honour. Since we’re playing two way stayman, I can usually afford 2C then 2S over 2D or 2H, and correct 2N to 3C. If he jumps to 3N over my 2S, expecting me to have invitational values. I’ll pass. Clubs rate to run so I’m giving him 7 tricks in my hand and I’ll hope he has two more (in addition to the hoped for club Ace). Am I going to be delighted to play 3N? Usually not but this way I find all my spade fits (opposite 4 spades I bid game)

My hand was Jx AKQx Kxx J10xx Bidding went 1NT-2C-2H-2S-3NT-(double) -5C -P -P -(Double)

[mikeh]

 strong 1c, on 2026-August-30, 13:08, said:

My hand was Jx AKQx Kxx J10xx Bidding went 1NT-2C-2H-2S-3NT-(double) -5C -P -P -(Double)

bad things happen on occasion. I think it rare that opener's maximum has 12 hcp in the reds. I do not like 5C very much..my partners tend to be 2=4=4=3 or 2=5=3=3 such that he needs some specific cards and the double shifts the odds somewhat, but I may be allowing knowledge of his hand to influence me. I think, but may be kidding myself, that pulling to 4C would be slightly better...he will know if he has the magic cards....red aces, some club length. When he is looking at 12 hcp in the reds on an auction where we are either 5=5 or 5=6 blacks, I think he should be cautious. Even as it is...they have to lead the diamond ace at trick one, or at trick 2 after cashing the club ace, so we're not down yet. Though I'd bet against us, lol.

If you never reach bad games, you aren't bidding enough games. Of course, you would prefer not to make a habit of it

[mw64ahw]

Any way to show Spades and then Clubs given the playing strength?
1N-3♠
3N-4/5♣?

[Cyberyeti]

Is 2♣ then 3♣ forcing, invitational or drop dead ?

[strong 1c]

He made the contract and we ended up with a top. After 1Nt. 2c is invitational or garbage. If 1Nt -2c-2d- we have 2H and 2S showing 54 majors but we have no agreements otherwise . I can’t really blame him for gong off script showing the 5 spades

[akwoo]

Do you really have no bid for showing 5 of a major, invitational? My understanding of 2-way Stayman is that 1N-2C-2D-2M shows 5 in that major, invitational, and says nothing about the other suits.

[mikeh]

strong 1c, on 2026-August-31, 06:24, said:

He made the contract and we ended up with a top. After 1Nt. 2c is invitational or garbage. If 1Nt -2c-2d- we have 2H and 2S showing 54 majors but we have no agreements otherwise . I can’t really blame him for gong off script showing the 5 spades

I don’t understand. You have no way of showing five spades and invitational values? I’ve played two way stayman in a weak notrump context for thirty years (though our 2D is more of an artificial gf relay than traditional forcing stayman).

After 1N 2C 2D….2H is scrambling, weak with both majors. Could be 54 either way or 5=5. With really weak hands and 5=4 we can just bid 2S if we prefer so if we are 5-4 it’s more often 5 hearts. 2S is invitational with 5 spades, 2N is invitational but may contain 5 hearts. Opener bids 3H with 3 card support if accepting the invite.

There are weaknesses in this method: we play it mainly because we like our 2D relay method. Since we are an imp partnership, games and slams are where we put much of our efforts.

[strong 1c]

I meant he went off script because I thought his 2C bid was 12-13/14. Our 2D bid is unique to us as well. What path do you go with invitational values with a 6 card major?

[mikeh]

strong 1c, on 2026-August-31, 12:48, said:

I meant he went off script because I thought his 2C bid was 12-13/14. Our 2D bid is unique to us as well. What path do you go with invitational values with a 6 card major?

2C then 3M

[WasWinM]

I used to play 2-way Stayman with David Foote in Oklahoma City. I found it entirely playable and sometimes downright better.
Alas, David is dead now, and so too, I thought, 2-way Stayman.

[strong 1c]

mikeh, on 2026-August-31, 14:06, said:

2C then 3M

same

Here's our 2D responses:
1NT -2D
2H shows 4; 2S asks if Opener has another 4-card suit; bid up the line else bid 3NT 3433
2S shows 4. 1NT asks if Opener has another 4-card suit; bid up the line else bid 3NT 4333
2NT shows 44 in the minors 32 in the Majors
3x shows 5332 shape
3NT shows 4333 with a 4-card minor

what's yours ?

[strong 1c]

WasWinM, on 2026-August-31, 19:10, said:

I used to play 2-way Stayman with David Foote in Oklahoma City. I found it entirely playable and sometimes downright better.
Alas, David is dead now, and so too, I thought, 2-way Stayman.

I taught Peter 2-way because ((I think) it's easier for a beginner and I agree that it works fine with our weak NT. What was your NT range and what was the strength of your 2C bid vs 2D ?