3 = 4, not 4333 3 = 4, not 4333, not 4 3NT = no 4M 1NT - 2; 2/2NT - 3, 3 3 = 4, not 4 3 = 4, not 4 3NT = to play 4 = bid your 4 card Major An alternative, simpler version of five-card Stayman is: 1NT - 2 2 = No 5CM 2M = 5CM This structure permits use by weak hands with 5+ diamonds and 2+ cards in each major. After 1NT - 2; 2 2M = 4M invitational 2NT = invitational, no major 3M = 4M game-forcing If responder has a five-card major, he begins with a transfer. After completion of the transfer, bidding the other major at the three level shows four cards in it and a game forcing hand, in line with the 1NT - 2, 2 structure above (1NT - 2, 2 - 2 = invitational 5-4). Similarly after 2NT - 3; 3 3M = 4M 3NT = no major A drawback of Five-Card Major Stayman (particularly the simpler version) is that the weaker hand may become declarer in a 4-4 major fit. Puppet Stayman Puppet Stayman is similar to Five-Card Stayman. It is more complex but has the major advantage that the strong hand virtually always becomes declarer. Initially developed by Neil Silverman and refined by Kit Woolsey and Steve Robinson in 1977-78, is a variation of the Stayman convention designed to find a 5-3 fit in a major, augmenting the search for a 4-4 major fit by standard Stayman. In 1977, Woolsey wrote that Puppet Stayman has several advantages over standard Stayman: Opener is usually better placed than responder to choose the proper denomination given distributional information about his partner's hand Opener becomes declarer in most cases without revealing his distribution, it being deemed less injurious to reveal responder's distribution, usually the weaker of the two hands The side can stop in two diamonds Since opener can show a five-card major immediately in response to the 2C bid, it is less dangerous to open 1NT with a five-card major It is possible to stop at two spades with a 4-4 fit, e.g. 1NT - 2, 2 - 2, 2 - All Pass Opener may be able to perceive a weakness for a notrump contract and so save to three of a minor or a good 4-3 major-suit game instead It is possible that a 3NT contract