SARS - Shape Asking Relays after Stayman
     
 
to conventions this page was last updated: 8-July-2006
 
     
This page is a brief summary of SARS, it is fully covered in the NoTrump bidding book.
If you wish you can view the pdf file or download the Word Doc file for viewing or printing.
 
     
     
     
 

SARS - Shape Asking Relaya after Stayman

 
  Traditionally, if partner opens 1NT and you have a strong hand with a 4 card major and a 5 or 6 card suit then you bid Stayman and then bid 3. This treatment, however, is not really satisfactory and it's far better to transfer into 's and then bid your major (assuming that you play 4-way transfers). This is all explained in the NoTrump bidding book.  
     
  Thus the sequence 1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 is not used when playing 4-way transfers and we use it to ask about partner's shape.  
  Similarly, 3 in the sequences 1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 and 1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 is also a shape ask. These asks are effectively a substitute for Minor Suit Stayman - and they are much more efficient and allow the use of 2♠/2NT for transfers to 3/ resp (4-way transfers).  
     
  This page is just a brief summary. It is all fully explained in the No Trump bidding book or in the pdf/doc link at the top of this page.  
     
 
  Pattaya Bridge Club - www.pattayabridge.com
 
     
 
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