Inverted Puppet Stayman
     
 
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Inverted Puppet Stayman is an improvement over Puppet Stayman developed by Jean Besse, the Swiss expert . The advantage over ‘normal' Puppet Stayman is that opener always gets to play the hand.

 
 

I give here the sequences when 3♣ is used as (Inverted) Puppet Stayman – generally over 2NT (or a 2NT rebid having opened 2♣ etc.). Your initial 3♦/♥ responses are unchanged (presumably transfers).

 
     
 

3♣ : Inverted Puppet Stayman, is game forcing and asks for 4 and 5 card majors, replies are as follows: -

 
     
 
  3♦ = no 4 card major, but 5 ♥'s or 5 ♠'s
    The 3♣ bidder then bids as follows: With at least 34-43 in the majors, he bids 3NT asking opener to bid 4 of his major. With a doubleton or less in a major responder bids 3 of that suit showing opener the possible misfit, or good fit.
     
  3♥/♠ = 4 card suit (opener bids 3♥ if he has both majors).
   

If responder has 4 of opener's major then he bids game in that suit (or cue bids if he has slam interest). If responder has 4 ♠'s and opener has bid 3♥ then responder bids 3NT which opener will pass or correct to 4♠ if he also has 4 ♠'s.

   

The slightly tricky situation is when responder was looking for a 5-3 fit in either major and opener bids 3♥. Responder must bid 3♠ which is not natural, but simply a puppet demanding that opener bid 3NT. I.e. responder was looking for a 5-3 fit in one major or the other and it did not materialize and so he wants partner to play in 3NT (or maybe higher).

     
  3NT = no 4 or 5 card major.
 
     
 

To summarize, here are all of the simple possible sequences, mainly assuming responder has no slam aspirations:

 
     
 
2N - 3♣ - 3♦ - 3♥ = I am only interested in a 4♠ contract if you have 5 ♠'s, else bid 3NT
2N - 3♣ - 3♦ - 3♠ = I am only interested in a 4♥ contract if you have 5 ♥'s, else bid 3NT
2N - 3♣ - 3♦ - 3N = I have at least 3 cards in both majors, bid 4 of your 5-carder.
     
2N - 3♣ - 3♥ - 3♠ = Bid 3NT, I was looking for a 5-3 major suit fit and there isn't one.
2N - 3♣ - 3♥ - 3NT = I have 4 ♠'s, pass or correct.
2N - 3♣ - 3♥ - 4♥ = We have a 4-4 ♥ fit.
2N - 3♣ - 3♠ - 3N = I may have 4 ♥'s or may have been looking for a 5-3 fit somewhere;
    either way I now want you to play in 3NT.
2N - 3♣ - 3♠ - 4♠ = We have a 4-4 ♠ fit.
2N - 3♣ - 3N = Opener has no 4 or 5 card major.
 
     
     
     
 
Terry Quested and Paul Quodomine
Pattaya Bridge Club
- www.pattayabridge.com
 
     
 
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