Finding Four Card Major Suits is the 1st Priority. Our Stayman works in the standard way except when it's used as part of a weak minor suit transfer.
Stayman Mechanics
(1) Responder bids Two Clubs then
(2) opener makes one of these three calls:
2¨ = No four card major
2© = Four+ Hearts, perhaps Spades as well
2ª = Four+ Spades, denies four + Hearts
No other bids are allowed -- responder is captain of the hand and we must be able to trust opener to bid correctly. Responder may want to pass two Diamonds !
(3) Responder then makes the final bid using his new knowledge about openers hand -- or transfers to three of a minor suit (weak minor transfer).
Example Stayman Sequences:
N
E
S
1NT
P
2§
Stayman 2§
2©
P
3§
3§ is the weak minor suit transfer. Opener must pass.
North
South
ª KQx
ª Jx
© Axxx
© xxx
¨ Akxx
¨ xx
§ xx
§ Ajxxxx
N
E
S
1NT
P
2§
Stayman 2ª
P
4ª
4ª
= "We have 8 Spades and 26+ HCP North"
North
South
ª KQxx ª Jxxx © Axx © xxx ¨ AKxx ¨ Qx § xx § AKJx