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Obviously, a 2NT opening takes up more bidding space, but you still need to be able to investigate both 4-4 and 5-3 fits in the majors. The popular solution is to play a variant of Stayman known as Puppet.
Puppet Stayman - Used by responder with at least invitational values to discover whether opener's Notrump bid may consist of a 5 card major suit. In the sequence: 2N - 3C responder's 3C bid behaves similar to the Stayman
The Convention: Puppet Stayman uses the “2C” response to a 1NT or a “3C” response to an opening 2NT to initiate a series of subsequent bids en route for a possible search for an 8-card Major suit fit.
Stayman is a convention used for locating a 4-4 major suit fit after partner opens 1NT. It is one of the oldest and most widely used conventions in the world, since a major suit contract is often preferable to no-trumps.
Puppet Stayman becomes an essential convention for those folks who are trying to apply the last paragraph to their games. Why should you use Puppet Stayman? Puppet Stayman allows you to find your major suit fits in game going auctions that begin with One no trump. Please note the following example: Opener Responder AKQ4 A76 Q43 J54 J765 KJ43 ...
Typically 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. 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 4 card major.
Puppet Stayman is a specialized version of regular Stayman that is popularly used in response to a 2NT opening bid. Beginning an auction with 2NT has pluses and minuses.
