The Basics of Puppet Stayman

When playing standard Stayman, opener promises a 4-card major. But what if opener has a 20-22 point hand with a 5-card major and opens 2NT? Standard Stayman fails to find this 5-3 fit. Puppet Stayman solves this by asking opener if they hold a 5-card major or a 4-card major.

Why Puppet Stayman works

Over a 2NT opening, a 3♣ response is Puppet Stayman. Opener's rebids are highly defined:

• 3♥ or 3♠: "I have a 5-card major in this suit."
• 3♦: "I do not have a 5-card major, but I DO have at least one 4-card major."
• 3NT: "I have no 4-card or 5-card majors."

A worked example: Finding the 5-3 Major

The Auction:

• Opener: 2NT
• Responder: 3♣ (Puppet)
• Opener: 3♠

Caption: Opener reveals a 5-card Spade suit! Responder, holding 3 Spades, immediately raises to 4♠, safely finding the 5-3 major suit fit that standard Stayman would have completely missed.

Four common mistakes

• Forgetting the 3♦ response means "I have a 4-card major" (responder then bids the major they do not have to let opener choose).
• Using Puppet Stayman without game-going values.
• Confusing Puppet Stayman over 2NT with standard Stayman over 1NT.
• Opener bidding 3NT when they hold a 4-card major.

When the rule does not apply

Puppet Stayman is almost exclusively used over 2NT (or 2♣ - 2♦ - 2NT) sequences. Most players retain standard Stayman over 1NT openings.

Key takeaways

• 3♣ over 2NT asks for 5-card and 4-card majors.
• Opener bids 3M with a 5-card suit.
• Opener bids 3♦ with a 4-card suit.
• Finds critical 5-3 fits in strong hands.