You’re holding a hand with 10 points and four spades. Partner opens 1NT showing 15-17. You know there’s a game somewhere, but where? If partner has four spades too, you belong in 4♠. If not, 3NT is probably your spot. You need a way to ask the question.
That’s exactly what Stayman does. It’s probably the most popular convention in bridge—and for good reason. Major suit games score better than notrump, and finding an eight-card fit changes everything about how the hand plays.
Named after Sam Stayman (though some argue George Rapee invented it), this convention has been the foundation of modern bidding for over 70 years. If you’re playing bridge seriously, you need to know Stayman.
What Is Stayman?
Stayman is a conventional bid of 2♣ after partner opens 1NT (or 2NT). It asks one simple question:
“Partner, do you have a four-card major?”
That’s it. The 2♣ bid says nothing about clubs. It’s purely asking about hearts and spades.
The beauty of Stayman is its simplicity. One artificial bid unlocks the ability to find major suit fits that would otherwise be hidden in a notrump contract.
When to Use Stayman
You need three things to bid Stayman:
1. Partner opened 1NT (or 2NT)
Stayman only works after notrump openings. If partner opened 1♥ or 1♠, you don’t need Stayman—you already know about a major.
2. At least 8 HCP
Opposite a 15-17 HCP 1NT opening, you need game-invitational strength or better. With 7 or fewer points, just pass 1NT or sign off in a major with a long suit.
After a 2NT opening (20-21 HCP), you can use Stayman with as little as 4-5 HCP since game is likely.
3. At least one four-card major
This is non-negotiable. Never bid Stayman without a four-card major. If partner shows a four-card major and you don’t have one, you’ve just created a problem with no solution.
You can have one four-card major or both. You can even have a five-card major. What you cannot have is zero four-card majors.
Opener’s Responses
After you bid 2♣ Stayman, opener has three possible responses:
2♦ — “No four-card major”
This shows no four-card major. Opener might have five clubs and five diamonds, or a balanced hand with only three cards in each major. The 2♦ bid is artificial—it says nothing about diamonds.
2♥ — “I have four hearts”
This shows exactly four hearts. Opener might also have four spades, but if so, they’ll show that later if you ask. For now, they’re showing hearts first.
Some partnerships play “four-card majors up the line” where 2♥ denies four spades. Other partnerships allow 2♥ with both majors. Discuss this with your partner.
2♠ — “I have four spades”
This shows four spades. In most partnerships, this denies four hearts (otherwise opener would have bid 2♥). But again, partnership agreement matters.
Responder’s Rebids
After opener’s response, you know what you need to know. Now you decide where to play.
After 2♦ (No Major)
- 2NT — Invitational, 8-9 HCP
- 3NT — To play, 10+ HCP
- Pass — Only if you were using “Garbage Stayman” (weak with both majors—rare)
After 2♥ or 2♠ (Four-Card Major Found)
If you have a fit:
- 3♥ or 3♠ — Invitational, 8-9 HCP
- 4♥ or 4♠ — To play, 10+ HCP
If you don’t have a fit:
- 2NT — Invitational, 8-9 HCP, no fit
- 3NT — To play, 10+ HCP, no fit
Example Hands
Let’s see Stayman in action.
Example 1: Perfect Fit
Your hand:
♠ KJ84 ♥ A52 ♦ K73 ♣ Q96
HCP: K=3, J=1, A=4, K=3, Q=2 = 13 HCP ✓
Partner opens 1NT (15-17). You have 13 points and four spades. Check for a spade fit first.
Auction:
Partner You
1NT 2♣ (Stayman — do you have a 4-card major?)
2♠ 4♠ (Yes! We have a fit — let's play game in spades)Perfect. You found your 4-4 spade fit and landed in the best game.
Example 2: No Fit Found
Your hand:
♠ AQ65 ♥ 84 ♦ KJ72 ♣ K83
HCP: A=4, Q=2, K=3, J=1, K=3 = 13 HCP ✓
Partner opens 1NT. You have four spades, so you ask.
Auction:
Partner You
1NT 2♣ (Stayman)
2♥ 3NT (No spade fit; hearts don't help; play 3NT)No spade fit, and you only have two hearts. 3NT is the right contract. If partner had bid 2♠, you’d have raised to 4♠.
Example 3: Invitational Strength
Your hand:
♠ QJ72 ♥ 852 ♦ K63 ♣ Q94
HCP: Q=2, J=1, K=3, Q=2 = 8 HCP ✓
Partner opens 1NT (15-17). You have 8 HCP and four spades—enough to invite game.
Auction:
Partner You
1NT 2♣ (Stayman)
2♠ 3♠ (We have a fit! I have 8-9 HCP—want to bid game?)
Pass/4♠ Partner will pass with a minimum (15) or bid 4♠ with a maximum (16-17).
Example 4: Both Majors
Your hand:
♠ AJ65 ♥ KQ72 ♦ 84 ♣ J93
HCP: A=4, J=1, K=3, Q=2, J=1 = 11 HCP ✓
Partner opens 1NT. You have both majors and game-forcing values.
Auction:
Partner You
1NT 2♣ (Stayman)
2♥ 4♥ (Perfect! We have a heart fit)If partner had bid 2♠ instead, you’d raise to 4♠. If partner bid 2♦ (no major), you’d bid 3NT. Stayman lets you find either major fit.
Common Mistakes
1. Bidding Stayman without a four-card major
Never do this. If partner shows a major and you don’t have it, you’re stuck. Some players bid Stayman with 4-3-3-3 shape “just to see.” Don’t. You have no major to support.
2. Bidding Stayman with only one four-card major and a weak hand
With less than 8 HCP and only one four-card major, just pass 1NT. You don’t have the values to continue bidding if partner doesn’t have your major.
3. Forgetting that 2♦ is artificial
The 2♦ response denies a four-card major. It says nothing about diamond length or strength. Don’t get excited about diamonds.
4. Bidding Stayman with a five-card major
Wait—this one is debatable. Some experts use transfers for five-card majors instead of Stayman. If you’re playing transfers (Jacoby Transfers), use those with five-card suits. If you’re not playing transfers yet, Stayman works fine with five-card majors—you’re just looking for a 5-3 fit instead of 4-4.
When NOT to Use Stayman
With a weak hand (fewer than 8 HCP opposite 1NT)
You don’t have enough to invite game. Just pass 1NT.
Without a four-card major
You have nothing to support if partner shows one.
With a long minor and no interest in majors
If you have ♠ 82 ♥ 74 ♦ KJ9852 ♣ Q73, don’t bid Stayman. You want to play in diamonds or notrump, not a major.
With 4-3-3-3 shape and no interest in majors
Balanced hands play well in notrump. If you have ♠ K863 ♥ AJ4 ♦ Q72 ♣ K95, just raise to 3NT. A 4-4 spade fit might not play better than 3NT with this flat shape.
Advanced: Stayman After 2NT
Stayman also works after a 2NT opening (20-21 HCP). The mechanics are identical:
Auction:
Partner You
2NT 3♣ (Stayman)
3♦/3♥/3♠ The responses mean the same thing:
- 3♦ = No four-card major
- 3♥ = Four hearts
- 3♠ = Four spades
Since partner has 20-21 HCP, you need much less to bid game. With 4-5 HCP and a four-card major, Stayman is worth trying.
Partnership Agreements
Discuss these with your partner:
1. Four-card majors “up the line” or “hearts first”?
Some partnerships bid 2♥ with both majors (showing hearts first). Others bid 2♠ with both majors (showing the higher-ranking first). Standard is hearts first.
2. Can 2♦ have a four-card major?
No. In standard Stayman, 2♦ denies a four-card major.
3. Do we play Garbage Stayman?
Garbage Stayman is using 2♣ with a weak hand and both majors, planning to pass any response. It’s rare and requires explicit agreement.
4. Do we use Smolen or Four-Way Transfers after Stayman?
These are advanced extensions. If you don’t know what they are, the answer is no.
Why Stayman Matters
Major suit games score more than notrump. 4♠ or 4♥ making is worth 420 points. 3NT making is worth 400. That 20-point difference adds up over time.
More importantly, eight-card major fits play better. You can ruff losers, establish long suits, and control the hand in ways notrump can’t.
Stayman is your tool for finding those fits. Master it, and you’ll be in the right contract more often than players who just blast 3NT and hope.
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