Puppet Stayman Is used to check for 4-4 and 5-3 fits in the majors when you have a game-going hand.  In this lesson the convention was only used following 2NT opening bids.

As with regular Stayman, responder uses a 3♣ response to 2NT opening bid by partner to initiate the puppet Stayman bidding sequence. Responder might hold one or two 4-card majors, or might just have 3-card support for one of the majors.

Opener’s responses to the 3♣  enquiry are:-

• 3♦  I have no 5-card major, but at least one 4-card major.
• 3♥  I have 5 cards in hearts
• 3♠  I have 5 cards in spades
• 3NT I have no 4-card or 5-card major.

When opener responds 3♦  & responder holds just one 4-card major, the partnership may or may not have an 8-card fit, but if you do it would be preferable for the strong hand to become declarer. To make sure this happens you should now bid the major in which you do not hold four cards. So if you hold four hearts you would bid 3♠ and if your partner also has four hearts he will bid 4♥, but if his 4-card suit is spades he will simply bid 3NT.

If partner responds 3♦ and you hold four cards in both majors you tell partner this by bidding 4♦.

Don't forget - if responder has a 5 card major they would use a transfer bid as normal not use Stayman.

Some bidding examples:  (defence hands not shown this is lesson only an exercise in bidding)

Bidding explanation:
(3♣) Enough for game & with a singleton & three cards in a major worth trying for a 5-3 fit.
(3♦)  At least one 4-card major, but no 5-card major
(3NT) No 8-card fit 

Depending on the bidding system you and your partner use you may open 2♣ (Benji) or 2NT (standard Acol). Puppet Stayman may be used following a 2NT rebid  after a strong 2♣  or 2♦ opening bid.

Bidding explanation (2NT basic acol opener):- 

(3♣) Probably slam on, make 3♣ puppet Stayman enquiry bid to find the best denomination 
(3♠) 5 card spade suit
(4♣) Cue bid

Bidding explanation:
(3♣) Puppet Stayman
(3♦) At least one 4-card major, but no 5-card major
(4♦) I have 4-cards in both majors, you choose. 

3NT - A flat hand so likely to make as many tricks in no Trump as in a suit contract.

Bidding explanation:
(3♣) Puppet Stayman looking for 4-4 in spades or a 5-3 heart fit.
(3♦) At least one 4-card major, but no 5-card major
(3♥) I have four cards in spades
(3♠) The bidding sequence is forcing to at least game so bidding three rather than four leaves bidding space for a possible slam try if responder is strong.

Bidding explanation:
(3♣) Puppet Stayman looking for a 5-3 heart fit.
(3♠)  At least one 4-card major, but no 5-card major
(3NT)  No 8 card fit in the majors.