| CHECKBACK STAYMAN |
Check Back
What is Check Back?
It is a means of finding out whether a Major suit 4-4- fit, or a 5-3 fit has been missed in the bidding. As we all know, it is very often better to play in a Major if you have an 8 card fit. The bid that is the ‘check back bid’ will always be a bid of 2 Clubs, over a preceding bid of 1NT,
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i.e
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1♣
1NT |
1♥
2♣ |
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| or |
1♦
1NT |
1♠
2♣ |
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The 2♣ bid will always be with game values, i.e. if the 1NT rebid is 15-16 points, then the 2♣ bid must have 8 or more points. With 7 points, unfortunately, you would be unable to determine whether an 8 card fit existed! The convention is used to determine whether opener is holding a 5 card major, or a second 4 card major. The responder must be happy to play in 2NT (minimum), so will need 8+ points.
OPENERS RESPONSE to the check back 2♣
- 2♦ I don’t have a 4-card major, or 3-cards in partner’s major.
- 2♠ I have 3 spades
- 2♥ I have 4 hearts
e.g.
example 1 |
1♦
1NT
2♦ |
1♠
2♣ |
The 2♣ bid is 'check-back', and is an enquiry bid, denies 3 card spade suit, denies 4 cards in hearts, will have at least 5 cards in Diamonds. Responder could pass this. |
| example 2 |
1♦
1NT
2♠ |
1♠
2♣ |
3 card spade support. Responder will always bid at least 3♠ . |
| example 3 |
1♦
1NT
2♥ |
1♠
2♣ |
4 card heart suit that could not be bid on previous round.
i.e. 1♦ . 1♠ . 2♥ is a reverse, and is > 15-16. Responder will bid 2NT with a minimum 8 points, and no heart fit |
| example 4 |
1♦
1NT
2NT |
1♠
2♣ |
2-3-4-4 shape; Responder could pass this with 8 points. |
Some example hands:
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| Hand 1 - 8 card heart fit found |
Show Detail |
Comments:
North should bid 1NT over 1♥ to show 15-16 points. South uses 2♣ Check back to see if North has the hoped for 3 card support in hearts. They have! 4♥ is a better contract than 3 NT.
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| Hand 2 - 8 card fit not found |
Show Detail |
Comments:
East will rebid 1NT again, to show 15 HCP. West has enough for game, but would like to know whether East has 3 hearts! East denies 3 card hearts suit with 2♦ and so West jumps to 3NT.
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| Hand 3 - Not suitable for check back |
Show Detail |
Comments:
South should open 1♣ with 15 HCP, prepared to bid 1NT, over either red suit. North tries with 9 HCP, 2NT (No Check back)
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| Hand 4 - Finds 4 Spades with Checkback |
Show Detail |
Comments:
North, with 9 points, should make a try with 3 Spades, which South will accept with a top hand.
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| Hand 5 - A slam after checkback |
Show Detail |
Comments:
North should always express 16 points, rather than show the poor 4 card spade suit. Once that South asks with the check back, North must show the 4 card spade suit, and only a doubleton heart ! South should be the one to bid Blackwood. 13 tricks!
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