Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Four Suit Transfers and Puppet Stayman - Is there a Marriage?

Four Suit Transfers:

Many people play four suit transfers, where, over a 1NT opening, you bid 2♠ to transfer to ♣'s and 2NT to transfer to ♦.  This is great.

I like to play Puppet Stayman as well.  Doesn't "everyone" open 1NT with a 5 card major? You should! Since Puppet Stayman is 3♣ over 1NT, there is no obvious way to bid a natural ♣ bid.  For ♦ you "could" use 3♦, but I prefer to show that as 5-5 in the minors, slam interest.

Does anyone combine Puppet Stayman and 4 suit transfers? Maybe 2♣, then 3♣? If so, what do you do with 4 of a major and clubs?