Garbage Stayman

There are many variations of the Stayman convention. The origin of this variation is unknown, which is also known as Drop Dead Stayman. This concept has been accepted by the bridge community and has received this designation. It is only employed when the responder has seven or fewer points and a unique distribution. The concept is only used with the following requirements:

• The responder has 0-7 points, but responder should bid 2 Clubs, initiating the Garbage Stayman convention.
• The distributional pattern must meet the requirements as shown below.
• On his next turn to bid, responder will simply pass any response of the opener.
• The 2 Clubs bid also discourages the opponents from bidding, especially the next player in rotation.
• If there is an immediate overcall by the opponent of 2 Clubs, the responder can double to initiate Stayman. Otherwise it would be best to pass and defend if the overcall is in a higher-ranking suit.

There are only two distinct holdings, which meet these requirements, and they are:

1NT - 2

AKQ4 A76 Q43 J54

Responder

9876 9842 9876 7

1NT - 2

AKQ4 A76 Q43 J54

Responder

9876 98432 9876 void

The distribution of the responder is either 4-4-4-1 or 4-4-5-0, with a definite void or singleton in the Club suit and at least a 4-card suit in all the higher-ranking three suits. Some bridge players would prefer to transfer the No Trump bidder to a 5-card Major suit and then pass. However, the No Trump bidder could hold a 2-card suit in that particular Major suit and then the partnership would declare holding only seven trump cards, or a Moysian fit. Therefore, the consensus is that the partnership preferably employ the Garbage Stayman convention, which does not exclude the possibility of also playing in a trump suit with only seven cards. The No trump bidder could hold a distribution of 3-3-3-4, the 4-card suit being Clubs. However, the frequency is greatly reduced by employing the Garbage Stayman convention as opposed to the transfer bid to a 5-card suit.

The main objective for the partnership is to disturb the opponents to the extent that they do not enter the auction or compete in any manner, believing that the partnership holds at least half of the points. If the auction allows the responder to employ the Garbage Stayman convention, then the opponents have to quickly find a fit on the two level or higher, which can prove difficult. Therefore, the conventional method is more obstructive than constructive in nature.

If the direct opponent interferes with an overcall, which does not allow the employment of this particular Stayman conventional method, then the partnership should pass and defend. However, if there is a direct overcall of 2 Clubs, then the responder can simply double, which initiates the Garbage Stayman convention. In addition, if the distribution is 5-4-4-0, and if the overcall allows the responder to transfer to a 5-card Major suit, then the responder can perform this action in competition.

In the Precision bidding system, the principle of the Garbage Stayman is different as shown in the following example:

Opener

AK5 A76 Q1043 J54

Responder

9876 9842 9876 7

1NT - 2

• 2 Denial bid showing no 4-card Major suit.
  • 2 Garbage Stayman promising both 4-card Major suits.

The general No Trump range for an opening in the Precision bidding system is between 13-15 points, and may include a 5-card Club suit only.