The puppet stayman that Irdoz posted in #7, has some problems, IMO. It serves no purpose other than find opener's 5-card major. By declaring opener's holding of a 4-card major with the 3D bid, it destroys one of the main purposes of puppet stayman: Denying the defense added info. It also fails to account for responder holding 5-4/6-4 nor solve the problem of opener have a 5-card major when responder does also.

 

But it is relatively simple.

 

I will post my puppet stayman later today.

PK I only put those up as examples of how even the simple ones are inconsisitent - Im not recommending them...the one I prefer is too complex....but I think it's worth spending some effort worknig out systems over 2nt (because once one partner opens 2nt many hands will be in the slam zone...and so often 6nt is the inferior slam and people often dont have the tools to find the right 6 suit contract)

 

As to rusty's question...If my partner bids 3M and I hold 3 I always choose 4M instead of 3nt....that is one of the few reasons I like puppet.

Hmmm, I am having problems posting my document....

 

Yes, ross, I hesitate to post mine as it is very complex, but is quite logical, so might be easier to remember.

I found this on the Internet, but it was not complete. I completed it and added more bids for more distributions. Don't remember the originator to give them credit. There are still a few open bids.

 

To prevent confusion, upper case refers to bids, lower to suit length.

 

1) Don't miss any 8-card major suit fit.

2) 4-4 fits before 5-3 or 6-2.

3) Opener is declarer in most situations.

4) Minimal info to opps.

 

3C response forces 3D. Then 3H=4s, 3S=4h, and 3N=both. Modified for opener 5-card major, responder 5-4 or 6-4, and slam bids. In case opener and responder both have 5-card majors, opener may refuse a transfer when 5-2 in majors by bidding 3N. Responder may make another transfer to play in a major.

 

Drawback 1: 3C-3N gives much info to opps. Bid needed for all possible responder major 5-4.

 

Drawback 2: Gives away opener's 4-card spade suit when responder searching for opener's 5-card major.

 

Opener must be no worse than 3-2 in majors and no better than 4-4 or 5-3.

see bidding tree attachment...

 

1. you can bid 3N (got to find a better use for direct 3N)

 

2.

2N - 3C

3D - 3H

3S - 3N or 3N  P

3H = not 4 hearts, maybe 4s

3S = 4s

3N = sorry, not 4s either

I must be lost.  I was looking for the Bridge Basics message board.

The way I learned puppet: 1nt p 3c p // 3d=I have one or more 4 card majors (3nt rebid by opener denies a 5 or 4 card major). I then bid 4d telling pd to bid one because I have both. 3h shows 4 s, 3s shows 4 h. Now if I'm 5-4 or 6-4 I use smolen responses : 1nt p 2c p// 2d p 3M fb 4d if 6-4. Regular stayman is for bust hands,invitational hands, or smolen hands. If pd opens 2nt,then puppet is still on.