Stayman and Jacoby transfer bids

                              

When the auction ends and conduction of the deal  starts, dummy player has no role and all other 3 players can see 26 cards. If dummy is strong in  HCPs(high card points) then opponents can see almost all  missing high cards and get advantage in defending .It is therefore important for the partnership to bid in such a manner that dummy is weak compared to Declarer . Stayman and Jacoby Transfer bids help in  doing  exactly that. Both Sam Stayman and Oswald Jacoby were great players of their times and their conventions are now almost universally accepted and adopted by most players .Stayman convention and Jacoby Transfer bids are solid foundation for exploring 8 card major suit fit.

Sir Charles Goren used to recommend that bidding must be as natural and as simple as possible to enjoy the  game . More there are unnatural bids there will be more complexity and fun part of the game can get lost. However there are certain conventions which are devised so carefully by old masters that though bids are   unnatural , today they have become an integral part of the bridge. “Take out Double”, “Blackwood” , “Stayman” and “Jacoby Transfer”  are some of those types of conventions which have stayed for over last  60 years now , unlike so many other short lived and less accepted conventions. It will be therefore worthwhile to know them even though one does not want to use them.

 It is said that  one should not  insist on  using  the chop sticks  while taking Chinese food for the first time  Certain things can be acquired gradually  but at the same time swimming cannot be learned by only reading books and sitting on the edge of the swimming pool ! . So for those who really don’t know much about “Stayman and “Jacoby“the details  given in the table could be taxing and there is every possibility that their “fun Part “ will be reduced for some time. New Partnerships are therefore advised to start using these conventions with caution and give time to themselves before they can harvest the benefits.

Both Stayman and Jacoby Transfer bids are used only when one of the players open his hand with 1NT or 2NT .  1NT shows 15 to 17  HCPs  and balanced hand, meaning no void or singleton suit and no two doubleton suits.  2NT shows balanced hand and 18 to 21 HCPs. As such 1NT describes the hand so clearly that opener has generally no need to describe his hand further and since the strength is clearly told ,onus of reaching to game or not , and if yes ,which game to settle in , primarily now on  the responder. When Stayman or Jacoby transfer conventions are used opener’s further bids are almost dictated by the responder who can more precisely see the combined strength of the partnership unlike when the opener bids some suit for which  his  HCP range is quite wide. We will understand  Stayman and Jacoby transfer bids for 1NT. For 2 NT opening , responses will be similar  in principle .  One believes that Common sense, though  is said to  be quite uncommon , can help  people understand logical responses to 2NT opening.

Responses  to  1 NT  using  Stayman  Or Jacoby Transfer 

·         Responder should bid 2C only when he has both the major suits with  distribution  either 4-4  or  5-4 or 5-5  and has minimum 5 counts

·         When the responder has 6 carded major suit he should bid Jacoby transfer bid (2 Diamonds  to show his  Heart suit and 2 Hearts to show his  spade suit ) There is no need to bid Stayman         

 2 Club  to explore major suit  . Minimum 2 cards in each major suits are definitely available with opener meaning combined 8 card major suit  with partnership is  visible to responder.

·         When responder has only one (at least 5 carded) major suit he should use Jacoby Transfer bid.

·         When Responder is very weak and his hand is not suitable for No-trump he should use Jacoby transfer bid  if 5 carded major suit  is there and  then Pass  in the next round  else he can pass and pray !

·         If responder has no major suit and less than 7 HCPs he should bid 2 Spades showing partner one of the minor suits. Partner is supposed to bid 3C ……….if club is really the suit of responder then responder must pass in the next turn else bid 3D.

·         If responder has 8 or 9 HCPs and  no  two major suits or  no  5 carded   suit  he should bid 2NT

And with 10 to 12 HCPS he can bid 3NT.

·         If responder has 13 HCPs He must ensure not that game level is reached by jump bidding in his best suit if  Stayman and  Jacoby bids are  not possible. 

·         If the responder has interest in slam he should make forcing bid after the transfer is completed by opener or straight a way use Blackwood 4 NT to know aces

What opener should do  after Stayman Or Jacoby response ?

·         After 2C bid of the responder , a no trump bidder  has to  inform whether he has any major suit or not and if yes  which major suit .. if he has at least four cards in  both major suits  normally responds in hearts, as this can still allow a spade fit to be found.  Variant methods are to bid the longer or stronger major, with a preference given to spades, or to use 2NT to show both majors. ( Please recall that a opener cannot  have either a suit longer than five cards or more than one 5-card suit since an opening 1NT bid shows a balanced hand. )

·         Absence of major suit is shown by bidding 2D meaning at the most opener has 3 cards of major suits ( combination of major suits’ distribution can be 2-2 ,3-2 or 3-3 )

·         When responder bids Jacoby Transfer 2D ,  opener should exercise no other option except to complete the transfer. He has to bid 2 Hearts on partner’s 2 Diamond response and when partner requests to transfer to spades by bidding 2 Hearts he has to do that. If suit matching is excellent, meaning opener can see 9 card suit matching he can super accept by bidding either 3 Hearts or 3 spades telling partner that  he indeed  has a 5 carded suit.

·         When responder bids 2 Spades opener should bid 3 clubs , a simple transfer.

One sincerely feels that information given above is sufficient to start using the Stayman and Jacoby conventions and needless to add that  for further bids a simple common sense will be of great help. After all any bidding system (a set of agreed conventions)should ensure a sole objective of Trying  to score maximum points (which also means  loosing  minimum points) in a given deal and ensure that partnership

1.       Reach appropriate level  i.e  part Game level ,Game level, little slam level or Grand slam level.

2.       Preferably ensure Stronger hand does not become dummy.

When the partner opens 1 Nt , first assess what is the combined strength of the partnership and based on that respond using  Stayman and Jacoby Transfer bids . By simple mathematical calculations considering first highest 17 HCPs  and then the lowest 15 HCPs of your partner, you will get the clarity on  maximum and minimum  combined HCPs of the partnership. (you should add your counts in 15  and see the total and then you should add your counts in 17 and see what is the total .) If in both the cases you find that the total is less than 25 then you can score only part game . If you definitely see figure of 25 or more in both cases then a definite Game level is existing. However if you see  25 counts  in one case and not in another case then use your common sense or “ gut feel “ or “intuition” or  whatever your experience with your partner  can help you take appropriate action!  Bridge is  not simple mathematics and” decisions  of bidding” when one is  not clear on the combined strength are not easy . Never mind about committing mistakes. Many  people do “ under bidding “ or “over bidding “even after amassing large experience .  Remember decisions are never right or wrong .

Decision is  the best course of action  ( or inaction )taken at a time in a given situation. Advantage to you is situation always changes  in the  Bridge ! So develop some skill to argue your point even if you are wrong ! There is  great enjoyment and advantage  in learning with the partner after some misunderstandings and minor fights which is  the real fun . No need at this stage to go through details and burden  yourself if you have not yet started using these conventions . For experienced players,  understanding more  details of responses  with their partners  will be better than reading this  article written by an  average bridge player !      

 Soon you will learn how to use chop sticks so better enter the swimming pool and learn to swim !

I have nothing to add now except   some examples in the table.  The information given in the  table  could be of use not only to those who are understanding Stayman and Jacoby for the first time but also   to some experienced players who  may be living in  fool’s paradise thinking they are using Stayman and Jacoby Transfer bids effectively.  Examples are limited because there can be no end to variations .

Examples  when opening bid is 1 no-trump

Description of the responder’s hand	Responses	Opener’s Further Respomses
HCPs  are in the range of 3 to 5  and both major suits(less than 5 counts  and both  heart and spade are at least 4 carded  suits ) Example 1                  Example 2 S    Q 10 7 6 2           S   K Q 8 7  H    10 7  4 3 2          H   J 10 7 6 5 D    J 10                     D   9 C    2                          C   7 6 4 In example 1 response will be 2H and in example 2 response will be 2D	Bid for transferring to longest and strongest major suit. Bid 2Heart if spade is the longest suit and bid 2Diamonds if Heart is the longest suit. If both are 5 carded suits bid for a better major suit. When opener completes the transfer then pass in the next round as the strength is poor	Completes the transfer Opener bids 2 Spades if responder has bidded 2 Hearts   and bids 2Hearts if responder has bidded 2 D.
HCPs are in the range of 7 to 9 and one 5 carded major and another 4 carded major suit Example  3                        Example 4 S   A J 9 7                           S   J  10 7 4 H  Q 10 9 5 3                     H   J 9 7 2  D  J  4  3                           D   A 3  C  9                                   C  K 7 5	Bid  Stayman…..  Bid 2C Stayman bid asks opener to select the best major suit. In example3 opener responds 2H  responder can bid 4 Hearts in the next turn . Responder cannot pass 2D answer of opener  to Stayman bid	If opener has no 4 carded major he bids 2D else he bids his best  major suit . In further round  If opener has control in both the minor suits and has 17  HCPs he can go for 3NT as responder has promised minimum  7 HCPs support and ready to play any major suit.
HCP 8 or 9  two major suits Example 5                                 Example 6 S  A Q  8 7                                  S  A 9 5 3 2 H Q J 9 8 7                                 H K Q 10 8 7 D  4 2                                          D  10 7 C    5 3                                        C   4	In example 5  Bid Stayman 2C  If opener bids 2H or 2S agree to that suit by raising 1 level and let P know you have either 8 or 9 HCPs . For 2D denial of  Major suit bid 2  NT telling you don’t have singleton and just 8 or 9 HCPs .if opener has bare 15 HCPs he will pass In example 6 bid 2D  Jacoby transfer and when opener completes the transfer  bid 2 S telling both major suits are  5 carded .	For stayman response bid best major suit. If no major suit is available bid 2D. For Jacoby transfer response simply complete the transfer. Depending on the further response decide whether to play in suit or no trump and at what level In example 5 with 16 or 17 HCPs 3NT bid is the best bid . In example 6 since opener cannot have 2 doubletons  8 crd suit match gets revealed so play in that suit at 3 or 4 level
Example 7                             Example 8 S  K Q 8 7                       S  K 10 9 5  H  J 7 8 4                      H  8 4 3 2 D  A 7                             D  A 9 7 C  10 7 8                        C   A 7	In exam[;e 7 Bid Stayman 2C  If opener bids 2S then go for 4 Spades.If opener bids 2H bid 2S telling your Hearts are weak . In example 8 bid 2C  if response is 2Spade then bid 4Spade If response is 2Hearts  bid 3NT	Select best major suit for 2C response. For further To 2S response from responder  decide whether to play  game in suit or in no trump

AUTHOR        R J PHANSALKAR   284 HB ESTATE , NAGPUR  440022

OPENING LEADS

Like “ catches win the matches “ in cricket ,in  Bridge the skill of giving accurate “ opening lead”  more often decides  the winning team !  The opening lead is thus most crucial in the game of bridge .

In Bridge after three consecutive passes bidding ends and  the first chance to play  is given to the person of opposite team who sits   on the left of the declarer. This is by design .This is  a golden opportunity given to defense to upset the contract. If this  opportunity of giving  a correct  lead which can put  declarer in the spot  is lost, then the scoring of contract at times becomes a cake walk for the declarer. In many  deals  the opening lead decides the fate of the declarer . In almost all the  championships , the winning pairs  have  not only excellent bidding and card handling skill , but more importantly they win because they  have sharp skill of upsetting  the contract bidded  by their opponents by giving an accurate killing leads  .It is observed that the pairs who have mastered the art of defence score better than those who lag this vital skill.

Now to know what is the correct lead and how to master the art of giving correct lead is something which perhaps  one can learn with experience only. There is  no set of  fixed  rules which if one follows meticulously  can master the art. Expertise doesn’t come before experience even in the dictionaries ! Even after huge experience experts err perhaps  because one never repeats the deal in his lifetime. There are however certain guidelines which if followed sometime and ignored  in some other situations will help and probability of success can be higher. When to follow the guidelines and when to ignore them is a matter of Judgmental skill. If you keep playing bridge this judgmental skill  is likely to improve however there is no guarantee. The words like.   “ always”, “never” , “Guarantee” don’t have a place in this game and that is precisely why it is one of the most absorbing and the most interesting game.

When one has to lead he /she can sees only 13 cards and has to decide lead based on   information of  the bidding of opponents and his own partner. Only after a card is led the dummy’s  cards are spread and visible to all.  Subsequently if the opponents get chance to lead he or she has more clarity as dummy’s cards are visible and compared to giving an  opening lead the task is easier . Which card to lead in the beginning , depends on several factors including

1         what is the final contract ? (No trump or in any one suit)

2          what is the level of final contract (part game level, Game level LS level or Grand slam level)

3         whether your partner has taken part in the bidding or not ?

4  What was bided by your Right hand side person and left hand side person ?

If your partner has taken part in the bidding  then one gets reasonable hint of “what to lead “or “what not to lead “ , however when the partner has remained silent you have to  depend on the information of your opponents’ bids and your own 13 cards.

The strategy of selecting lead is entirely different in suit contracts  and No-trump contracts.

In  the suit contract you can defeat the opponents if you get an extra trick  by a  ruff or if you can win your all  high cards before the declarer gets chance to discard his losers. Declarer will obviously  remove  trumps from your and your partner’s hand at the earliest opportunity. At times it will not be possible for the declarer to remove all  the trumps on his first chance  as you or your partner could be holding trump Ace which will sometime  give you  another opportunity to upset the contract provided initial opening lead was good. Example for this is you have a singleton suit and two small trumps and  your partner has ace of trump suit. In this case you are likely to  get the trick of your small trump if you lead the singleton suit. As soon as your partner wins his trump ace he will return the suit which was singleton and you will get a trick by ruffling. However if you don’t lead singleton suit in the beginning you are unlikely to get a ruffling trick as your trump will be removed by the  declarer before repeating the suit. One is therefore supposed to play the shortest suit in the beginning  to increase the chances of getting a trick by ruff. One is not advising that always lead the singleton ….in bridge as mentioned before  there are  no certainties but  only guidelines ….Each deal is a new deal and logic changes   every now and then !

In No trump  contract it is important to establish your  suit and the success depends on whose suit gets established first ? Yours or your opponents’ ? The length of the suit has great importance even if  the cards may be small. Leading forth from the top of the best suit is usually considered good lead if the partner is silent and your best suit is not bided by the opponents.

In Grand  slam contract finding the neutral lead is the best strategy while in Little slam contract en-cashing the sure winning Ace is considered reasonably good lead.Some contracts are ice-cold meaning no matter what opponents lead declarer is certainly going to win. Not all deals have a killing lead to upset the contract but giving a good lead makes declarer’s life tough and he can then win only with a particular sequence of play if he errs he gets defeated. Below  are mentioned some guidelines or standard leads

For suit contract       Partnrr’s called suit Or shortest suit or touching honor(K out of KQ ,J out of J,10)or ace of the 6 carded suit hoping P will have singleton ,or Dummy’s call or doubleton high low signal are the options

For Nt suit     4th from the longest suit , honor of the suit if you have 3 honors,partner’s suit or dummy’s call or un-bided suit are the options.

Which option to select in a given situation is individual’s judgment. I can only wish you all the best  in giving opening lead  because more than 20 to 25% of time you will have to give lead .Never mind if you err occasionally there is always a next  deal and next time in this wonderful  game  !!   

                       R J PHANSALKAR