The convention is named after Sam Stayman, who wrote the first published description in 1945

Remember, as with all conventions they may be played differently by different people and partnerships so it best to check with your partner that you are playing them the same way.

The Stayman convention is used by responder after a 1NT or 2NT opening bid, to ask if opener has a 4 card major.

Your partner opens 1NT

2♣ - Partner do you have a four card major?

Opener responds:-

2♦ - No four card major partner

2♥ - Yes partner I have four Hearts (I may also have four spades)

2♠ - Yes partner I have 4 spades (This response denies 4 hearts)

Normally Stayman is used on hands of 11+ points when responder has a four card major and game might be possible if there is a major suit fit.

But Stayman can also be used on any hand of zero to 28 points when it would be useful to find out if partner has a four card major. 

Remember if you use Stayman you must be prepared for and able to handle any response from partner.

Some examples: -

Your partner opens 1NT (12 – 14 High card points)

You hold:-

Hand i).          

14 HCP - Bid 2♣, if partner responds 2♦ (denying a four card major) bid 3NT, if partner responds 2♥ bid 3NT, partner responds 2♠ bid 4♠ you have an eight card spade fit (or better).

Hand ii).         

14 HCP - Bid 2♣, if partner responds 2♦ (denying a four card major) bid 3NT, if partner responds 2♥ bid 4♥ you have an eight card heart fit (or better), partner responds 2♠ bid 3NT.

Hand iii).        

16 HCP – Bid 3NT, enough points for game and no four card major.

Hand iv).         

14 HCP – This hand is almost the same as hand (i) but it is a flat 4,3,3,3 shape. Some people will bid straight to 3NT and others will use Stayman as with hand (i). 

Hand (v).          

11 HCP – You want to be in game if partner has 14 HCP but in a part score if partner has 12 HCP, with 13 HCP opener must decide if it’s a good or bad 13 HCP. So bid 2♣, if partner responds 2♦ (denying a four card major) bid 2NT (showing partner 11/12 high card points and asking them to bid game if maximum), if partner responds 2♥ bid 2NT (showing partner 11/12 high card points and asking them to bid game if maximum), partner responds 2♠ bid 3♠ you have an eight card spade fit (or better), this asks partner to bid 4♠ if they are maximum for their opening bid.

Hand (vi).         13 HCP - Bid 2♣, if partner responds 2♦ (denying a four card major) bid 3NT, if partner responds 2♥ bid 3NT you have an eight card heart fit (or better), partner responds 2♠ bid 4♠.

                        With this hand and hand (i) if the bidding goes 1NT – Pass - 2♣ - Pass - 2♥ - Pass – 3NT The opening bidder has not denied a 4 card spade suit so they will know that responder has 4 spades so can confidently bid 4♠.

Hand (vii).         11 HCP – Again You want to be in game if partner has 14 HCP but in a part score if partner has 12 HCP, with 13 HCP opener must decide if it’s a good or bad 13 HCP. So bid 2♣, if partner responds 2♦ (denying a four card major) bid 2NT (showing partner 11/12 high card points and asking them to bid game if maximum), if partner responds 2♥ bid 3♥ (showing partner 11/12 high card points and 4 hearts asking them to bid game if maximum), partner responds 2♠ bid 3♠ (showing partner 11/12 high card points and 4 spades asking them to bid game if maximum).

Hand (viii).       3 HCP - You don’t really want to play in anything but if you must spades looks the best option, so use Stayman and if partner bids 2♠ Pass, however, if partner bids 2♦ or 2♥ bid 2♠ telling partner I have a poor hand and spades is the best place to play so please pass.

You can also use Stayman over a 2NT opening and a 1NT overcall but need to adjust the points you have, when responding, accordingly.

Please make sure that you talk to your partner about it otherwise mistakes will happen. If you use this convention differently why not let us know by responding here and tell us what you do differently.