When Should You Use the Stayman Convention?

Use the Stayman convention by bidding an artificial 2♣ over partner's 1NT opening whenever you hold at least invitational values (8 or more High Card Points opposite a 12–14 1NT) and at least one four-card major suit (Hearts or Spades). The 2♣ bid asks opener if they hold a four-card major. Opener responds 2♦ to show no four-card major, 2♥ to show four Hearts, or 2♠ to show four Spades.

Why the Stayman convention works

Playing in a 4-4 major-suit trump fit yields one to two more tricks on average than playing the same hand in No-Trump. Trumps allow you to ruff side-suit losers and maintain control of the hand.

Because a 1NT opening describes a balanced hand, opener might hold a four-card major suit that they could not mention. Stayman acts as a search tool. The 2♣ bid promises no Clubs at all; it is purely a conventional enquiry to locate a 4-4 fit in Hearts or Spades before deciding whether to play in a major suit or No-Trump.

A worked example: Bidding Stayman to find a fit

Partner opens 1NT (showing 12–14 HCP).

Your Hand (Responder):
♠ A J 8 3
♥ K 9 4 2
♦ 8 5
♣ Q 7 3
(9 HCP, 4-4 in the majors)

The Auction:

• Partner: 1NT
• You: 2♣ (Stayman)
• Partner: 2♥ (Shows 4 Hearts)
• You: 3♥ (Invitational raise showing 8–9 HCP and 4 Hearts)
• Partner: 4♥ (Accepts invitation with 14 HCP)
• All Pass

With 9 HCP and two four-card majors, bid 2♣ Stayman. When partner rebids 2♥ to show four Hearts, raise to 3♥. Partner holds 14 HCP at the top of their 1NT range and bids 4♥, placing the partnership in game.

Four common mistakes

• Bidding 2♣ Stayman with fewer than 8 High Card Points (weak hands must pass or sign off).
• Bidding Stayman without holding at least one four-card major suit.
• Passing opener's 2♦ response when you hold 8 or 9 points (you must make an invitational bid like 2NT).
• Bidding Stayman when your only major suit is five cards long (use a Jacoby Transfer instead).

When the rule does not apply

Do not use Stayman if your hand is completely flat (4-3-3-3 distribution) with marginal points, as No-Trump often plays better than a major suit contract when you hold no ruffing capability. If you hold a five-card major suit, use Jacoby Transfers (2♦ or 2♥) rather than Stayman.

Key takeaways

• 2♣ over 1NT asks opener for a four-card major suit.
• Requires 8+ HCP (invitational strength) and at least one 4-card major.
• Opener responses: 2♦ = No major; 2♥ = 4 Hearts; 2♠ = 4 Spades.
• Never bid Stayman without a four-card major.