Just a Puppet on a Strong

 

            Transfer bids were designed originally to try to ensure that the strong one-no-trump bidder became declarer.  It would seem logical therefore for players to use transfer sequences over the opening bid of 2NT, or its various equivalents, such as 2C - 2D – 2NT.  Even if partnerships do bid this way, they still have to assign a meaning to the bid of 3C.  Is it Stayman, or Baron?  Those are the most common options in the UK, neither of which, however, necessarily arranges for the strong hand to become declarer.  Perhaps you might like to try “Puppet Stayman”, a popular US convention.

            There are two styles.  The original, I believe, used 3C as a transfer bid too, to 3D.  That response can be passed! So one immediately gains a new weakness takeout option.  Assuming, however, that the 3C bidder is really interested in the Major suits, then responder now bids the major in which he or she does not hold 4 cards.  This is effectively a transfer bid too, but instead of to the next suit up, it is to the other Major.  Of course, if the 2NT bidder does not hold four cards in that other Major, then 3NT becomes the contract.  Should responder be fortunate enough to hold both Majors then after the 3D obligatory rebid, 3NT is called.  The 2NT opener now selects a Major, or passes.

            The other style is much more akin to “modified Baron”, familiar already to many UK bidders.  Here the response to 3C is more informative.  With a 5-card Major it is bid. With one, or more, 4-card Major 3D is the reply.  With neither, opener rebids 3NT.  To achieve the transfer effect over a 3D rebid, the 3C bidder again bids the Major not held, or with both 4-card Majors, bids 4D!  Opener then chooses.  Consider this deal:

 

                                                S K 10 x x

                                                H Q x

                                                D x x x

                                                C x x x x

                        S x                                           S x x x x

                        H x x x                                     H J 10 x x

                        D A x x x                                 D Q J 10

                        C K Q J 10 x                           C x x

                                                S A Q J x

                                                H A K x x

                                                D K x x

                                                C A x

 

            Playing standard Stayman, or Baron, or even modified Baron, the contract is liable to be 4S, by North one down, after the obvious Diamond lead.  3NT is defeated too, on a Club lead. The puppet masters, however, using either style above, could bid:

 

                          S          N       S        N         S      N

                        2NT  -  3C  -  3D  -  3H!  -  3S  -  4S end.

 

South is now declarer and a losing Diamond disappears on a Heart.  The contract makes on what is effectively a cross ruff.  There is no need to draw trumps.

copyright © David King 2004