July 5, 1999

Romex Stayman over 2NT and 1NT

Marshall Miles, George Rosenkranz and others developed this alternative to puppet, five-card and Fiskforsk Stayman for discovering a five card major in a 2NT opening. (Which can also be used after systemic 2NT rebids when no suit has been bid naturally.) The benefits of the method include:

Generally places declarership in the strong hand.
Deals nicely with responder's otherwise awkward 54xx hand.
Does not disclose excessively to the opponents.
Relatively natural and easy to learn - can be incorporated into one's methods incrementally.

This writeup first reviews the method over 2NT and then explors one possible adaptation of it to the 1NT case, which to my knowledge has never been documented. Asterisks (*) are used to indicate bids that have unusual or counter-intuitive meanings.

2NT Auctions

The Romex method uses 3D and 3H responses as transfer bids in the standard way, except that 54xx hands begin with 3C. Players can use the 3S response in a variety of ways to develop minor suit oriented hands. An outline of the 3C and 3S structures is presented below.

The 3C response is used on hands seeking a 4-4 or 5-3 (opener having the five bagger) major suit fit, or when responder is 54xx (or 55xx without slam interest), or has a five card minor with slam interest. The development of the 2NT - 3C auction is presented in the following table:

Auctions after ... 2NT - 3C, 3D

O

R

O

R

3D May have four spades but otherwise denies major suit interest.

3H Relay asking if opener has four spades.

3S Has four spades.

3NT Denies four spades.

3S 54xx (responder at this point knows that opener doesn't have 4 hearts) or 55xx with no slam interest. (Slam interst is indicated by transfering to spades then rebidding four - or more - hearts.)

3NT Denies interest in responder's spades.

4H 55xx, no slam interest.

4C,D,H Cue bids showing spade support.

4S To play.

3NT To play.

4m Five card suit, slam interest.

Auctions after ... 2NT - 3C, 3H

O

R

O

R

3H Four or five hearts, denies four spades.

3S Relay asking if opener has four or five hearts. (Must have at least three hearts to ask.)

3NT Only four hearts.

4m Five card suit, slam interest.

4H Five hearts. (Optionally opener could rebid 4m to show 3532 or 3523 - bidding the doubleton. Then 4H would show 2533. Downside to this is that it may put the declarership in the wrong hand.)

3NT To play. (Responder was, most likely, interested in spades.)

4m Five card suit, slam interest.

4H To play.

* 4S RKC, hearts agreed. (Optional)

4NT Quantatative.

Auctions after ... 2NT - 3C, 3S

O

R

3S Five spades.

3NT To play.

4m Five card suit, slam interest.

4H RKC, spades agreed. (Optional)

4S To play.

4NT Quantatative.

Auctions after ... 2NT - 3C, 3S
O	R
3S		Five spades.
	3NT	To play.
	4m	Five card suit, slam interest.
	4H	RKC, spades agreed. (Optional)
	4S	To play.
	4NT	Quantatative.

Auctions after ... 2NT - 3C, 3NT

O

R

3NT 44xx.

4m As it is unlikely that responder will be very excited about showing a five card minor at this point, these bids can be used to select one of opener's majors, possibly with slam interest. 4C selects hearts, 4D selects spades. (This also places the declarership in the strong hand.) Opener can now bid the suit and responder continues as appropriate.

* 4M Slam interest in the corresponding minor - 4H shoring clubs, 4S showing diamonds. (Optional)

4NT Natural, to play, no interest in responder's minor suit.

other Cuebid, agreement on responder's minor.

4NT Quantatative

Auctions after ... 2NT - 3C, 3NT
O	R
3NT			44xx.
	4m		As it is unlikely that responder will be very excited about showing a five card minor at this point, these bids can be used to select one of opener's majors, possibly with slam interest. 4C selects hearts, 4D selects spades. (This also places the declarership in the strong hand.) Opener can now bid the suit and responder continues as appropriate.
*	4M		Slam interest in the corresponding minor - 4H shoring clubs, 4S showing diamonds. (Optional)
		4NT	Natural, to play, no interest in responder's minor suit.
		other	Cuebid, agreement on responder's minor.
	4NT		Quantatative

The 3S response is used on hands that want to play 3NT and slammy hands with a six card or longer minor or with both minors. Opener must rebid 3NT, the subsequent auction is described in the table below.

Auctions after ... 2NT - 3S, 3NT (forced)

R

pass Responder's intention was to play 3NT.

4m Shows a six+ card suit and slam interest. Opener can now cue bid or sign off in 4NT or 5 of the minor.

4M Minor two suiter with singleton or void in the suit bid. Slam interest. Opener can now bids 4NT to play or chooses one of responder's minors.

4NT Strong xx44, 2254 or 2245 hand. Not forcing but highly suggestive of slam.

5m To play.

5NT Strong xx55 or better hand. Opener must select a minor.

Auctions after ... 2NT - 3S, 3NT (forced)
R
pass	Responder's intention was to play 3NT.
4m	Shows a six+ card suit and slam interest. Opener can now cue bid or sign off in 4NT or 5 of the minor.
4M	Minor two suiter with singleton or void in the suit bid. Slam interest. Opener can now bids 4NT to play or chooses one of responder's minors.
4NT	Strong xx44, 2254 or 2245 hand. Not forcing but highly suggestive of slam.
5m	To play.
5NT	Strong xx55 or better hand. Opener must select a minor.

For simplicity I recommend that the 3NT response be played naturally, This is, however, unnecessary when 3S is used as a transfer to 3NT. Here are two alternative uses that you may want to consider - 3NT to relay to 4C allowing a signoff in four of a minor; or CONFIT, asking opener for controls with a relatively balanced hand, then seeking a satisfactory fit. For a 22-23 point 2NT opening, opener's CONFIT responses are in steps starting with 4C showing 6 or fewer, 4D with 7, etc. If insufficient to consider slam responder must rebid 4NT otherwise continues with his cheapest four card suit.

The four level responses to 2NT are pretty standard - 4C is Gerber, 4D and 4H are Texas transfers and 4NT is quantatative.

1NT Auctions

The Romex Stayman 2NT auctions can be adapted to the 1NT opening by using the additional level of bidding to accomodate invitational and signoff sequences. Here is an outline of these responses adapted to 1NT. (Note, these are also applicable to situations where a 1NT rebid is natural and responder has not bid a suit naturally, e.g. 1C-1D, 1NT in the Polish Club.)

Responses to ... 1NT

O

R

1NT

2C Romex Stayman - invitational or better, nominally interested in opener's four or five card major suits. Could be 55xx (invitational strength only) or 54xx or slam interest with a five card minor or a strong minor two suiter. (See tables below for further development.)

2D Transfer to hearts. Rebidding 3C or 3D is forcing and suggests slam interest. Rebidding 2S suggests 45xx and is forcing one round.

2H Transfer to spades. Rebidding 3C, 3D or 3H generally shows a four card (or longer) side suit, is forcing and suggests slam interest. Rebidding 4H shows 55 and denies slam interest.

2S Either a minor suit bust or a weak or strong minor two suiter. (See table below for further development.)

2NT Natural, invitational. Opener should rebid a five card major (if present) on hands that accept the invitation.

3m Long suit, little outside strength, invitational to 3NT. Opener can accept with xxx, Kx or Ax and coverage in the other suits.

* 3H A long broken club or diamond suit with slam interest. Opener rebids 3S with a top honor (A, K or Q) in only one minor suit, 3NT with no minor suit top honors, or 4C with honors in both minors. After 3S responder rebids 3NT to play or four of his minor to investigate further. Opener must rebid 4NT at this point if that is the suit without the honor, otherwise he cuebids. After opener's 4C rebid to which responder rebids 4D if that is his suit otherwise cuebids or RKCs with 4NT.

* 3S A reasonably solid (likely zero losers opposite a small doubleton) long minor, unsuited for Gerber. Opener rebids 3NT and responder rebids the suit. Cue bids follow.

3NT To play.

4C Gerber.

4D/H Texas transfers

4NT Quantatative.

Responses to ... 1NT
O	R
1NT
	2C	Romex Stayman - invitational or better, nominally interested in opener's four or five card major suits. Could be 55xx (invitational strength only) or 54xx or slam interest with a five card minor or a strong minor two suiter. (See tables below for further development.)
	2D	Transfer to hearts. Rebidding 3C or 3D is forcing and suggests slam interest. Rebidding 2S suggests 45xx and is forcing one round.
	2H	Transfer to spades. Rebidding 3C, 3D or 3H generally shows a four card (or longer) side suit, is forcing and suggests slam interest. Rebidding 4H shows 55 and denies slam interest.
	2S	Either a minor suit bust or a weak or strong minor two suiter. (See table below for further development.)
	2NT	Natural, invitational. Opener should rebid a five card major (if present) on hands that accept the invitation.
	3m	Long suit, little outside strength, invitational to 3NT. Opener can accept with xxx, Kx or Ax and coverage in the other suits.
*	3H	A long broken club or diamond suit with slam interest. Opener rebids 3S with a top honor (A, K or Q) in only one minor suit, 3NT with no minor suit top honors, or 4C with honors in both minors. After 3S responder rebids 3NT to play or four of his minor to investigate further. Opener must rebid 4NT at this point if that is the suit without the honor, otherwise he cuebids. After opener's 4C rebid to which responder rebids 4D if that is his suit otherwise cuebids or RKCs with 4NT.
*	3S	A reasonably solid (likely zero losers opposite a small doubleton) long minor, unsuited for Gerber. Opener rebids 3NT and responder rebids the suit. Cue bids follow.
	3NT	To play.
	4C	Gerber.
	4D/H	Texas transfers
	4NT	Quantatative.

Here are the details of the sequences after 1NT-2C, which should be used to investigate major suit fits and develop strong hands with a five card or longer minor or a minor two suiter.

Opener's Rebids after ... 1NT - 2C

R

O

2C Romex Stayman - invitational or better, nominally interested in opener's four or five card major suits. Could be 55xx (invitational strength only) or 54xx or slam interest with a five card minor or a strong minor two suiter. Note that after any reply by opener described below responder can rebid 3C or 3D to show a five card suit and slam interest. At this point opener must rebid 3NT lacking support or bid a new suit to agree on responder's minor.

2D May have four spades, or 44xx with maximum values, but otherwise denies major suit interest.

2H Two possibilities - four or five hearts, fewer than four spades.

2S Five spades.

2NT 44xx, minimum hand.

Opener's Rebids after ... 1NT - 2C
R	O
2C		Romex Stayman - invitational or better, nominally interested in opener's four or five card major suits. Could be 55xx (invitational strength only) or 54xx or slam interest with a five card minor or a strong minor two suiter. Note that after any reply by opener described below responder can rebid 3C or 3D to show a five card suit and slam interest. At this point opener must rebid 3NT lacking support or bid a new suit to agree on responder's minor.
	2D	May have four spades, or 44xx with maximum values, but otherwise denies major suit interest.
	2H	Two possibilities - four or five hearts, fewer than four spades.
	2S	Five spades.
	2NT	44xx, minimum hand.

Auctions after ... 1NT - 2C, 2D

O

R

O

R

O

2D May have four spades but otherwise denies major suit interest.

2H Asks if opener has four spades, or or the max 44xx hand. (Responder should have a four card major to make this bid.)

2S Has four spades, forcing one round, is NOT the 44xx max hand (see 3H below.)

xNT Natural (was probably looking for four hearts.)

3m Natural, slam try (with four hearts.)

2NT Denies four spades and is a minimum 1NT. (Therefore denies four hearts.) Not forcing

3m Natural, slam try.

3H 44xx, maximum 1NT opening.

3S Sets spades as trump suit, continue with cue bids

other Sets hearts as trump, cue bid.

3NT Maximum 1NT.

2S 54xx (any strength) or 55xx and invitational (shown by 3H rebid). One round force.

2NT Minimum hand, doubleton spade - necessarily 2335, 2353 or 2344.

* 3C,3D,3H Maximum 1NT and three or four spades, cuebid.

3S Minimum 1NT, three or four spades.

3NT Maximum 1NT, two spades.

2NT Natural.

3m Five card suit, slam interest.

* 3H 64xx invitational. (Optional, opener having denied hearts the only real interest here is in spades.)

* 3S 64xx game going but no slam interest, which would be shown with a transfer. (Optional, opener having denied hearts the only real interest here is in spades.)

3NT Natural.

Auctions after ... 1NT - 2C, 2H

O

R

O

R

2H Four or five hearts and fewer than four spades.

2S Relay asking if opener has four or five hearts. Responder must have exactly three hearts to bid this.

2NT Minimum 1NT, exactly four hearts. (All rebids by responder except 3NT show slam interest.)

3H Minimum 1NT, five hearts. Cuebids from this point.

3NT Maximum 1NT, four hearts. (Note that 3C, 3D and 3S could be used to clarify opener's distribution but this disclosure is generally of more help to the defense.)

4H Maximum 1NT, five hearts. Cuebids from this point.

2NT Natural. (Responder wanted to check for a five card spade suit.)

3m Five card minor, slam interest. As responder may have three hearts opener should immediately rebid 3H holding five, postponing support for the minor, if present.

3H Invitational.

3N Natural

4C RK Gerber - hearts.

4H To play.

4NT Quantatative.

Auctions after ... 1NT - 2C, 2S

O

R

2S Either a minor suit bust or a weak or strong minor two suiter.

2NT Natural.

3m Five card minor, slam interest.

* 3H Strong spade agreement.

3S Invitational.

3NT Natural.

4C RK Gerber, spades.

* 4D/H Splinter, presumably.

4S To play.

4NT Quantatative.

Auctions after ... 1NT - 2C, 2S
O	R
2S		Either a minor suit bust or a weak or strong minor two suiter.
	2NT	Natural.
	3m	Five card minor, slam interest.
*	3H	Strong spade agreement.
	3S	Invitational.
	3NT	Natural.
	4C	RK Gerber, spades.
*	4D/H	Splinter, presumably.
	4S	To play.
	4NT	Quantatative.

Auctions after ... 1NT - 2C, 2NT

O

R

2NT Minimum values, 44xx.

3m Five card minor, slam interest.

3M Natural, not forcing.

3NT To play.

* 4m RK Gerber in corresponding major - clubs show hearts, diamonds showing spades.

4M To play.

4NT Quantatative.

Auctions after ... 1NT - 2C, 2NT
O	R
2NT		Minimum values, 44xx.
	3m	Five card minor, slam interest.
	3M	Natural, not forcing.
	3NT	To play.
*	4m	RK Gerber in corresponding major - clubs show hearts, diamonds showing spades.
	4M	To play.
	4NT	Quantatative.

Auctions after ... 1NT - 2S

R

O

R

O

2S Either a minor suit bust or a weak or strong minor two suiter.

2NT Diamond or no preference.

3m To play

3M Singleton or void, strong xx55.

3NT No interest.

4m Setting suit.

3NT 2245 or 2254, mild slam interest, not forcing.

4m 2245/2254 (bid shows the five card suit), strong slam interest.

4D/5C Agrees to responder's four card suit

4M Agrees to responder's five card suit, cuebid.

4NT Natural.

3C Club preference.

3D To play. (Diamond bust.)

3M Clubs selected, cue bid.

3NT Clubs selected, mild slam interest, not forcing.

4C RK Gerber, clubs.

O	R	O	R
3D				May have four spades but otherwise denies major suit interest.
	3H			Relay asking if opener has four spades.
		3S		Has four spades.
		3NT		Denies four spades.
	3S			54xx (responder at this point knows that opener doesn't have 4 hearts) or 55xx with no slam interest. (Slam interst is indicated by transfering to spades then rebidding four - or more - hearts.)
		3NT		Denies interest in responder's spades.
			4H	55xx, no slam interest.
		4C,D,H		Cue bids showing spade support.
		4S		To play.
	3NT			To play.
	4m			Five card suit, slam interest.

O	R	O	R
3H				Four or five hearts, denies four spades.
	3S			Relay asking if opener has four or five hearts. (Must have at least three hearts to ask.)
		3NT		Only four hearts.
			4m	Five card suit, slam interest.
		4H		Five hearts. (Optionally opener could rebid 4m to show 3532 or 3523 - bidding the doubleton. Then 4H would show 2533. Downside to this is that it may put the declarership in the wrong hand.)
	3NT			To play. (Responder was, most likely, interested in spades.)
	4m			Five card suit, slam interest.
	4H			To play.
*	4S			RKC, hearts agreed. (Optional)
	4NT			Quantatative.

O	R	O	R	O
2D					May have four spades but otherwise denies major suit interest.
	2H				Asks if opener has four spades, or or the max 44xx hand. (Responder should have a four card major to make this bid.)
		2S			Has four spades, forcing one round, is NOT the 44xx max hand (see 3H below.)
			xNT		Natural (was probably looking for four hearts.)
			3m		Natural, slam try (with four hearts.)
		2NT			Denies four spades and is a minimum 1NT. (Therefore denies four hearts.) Not forcing
			3m		Natural, slam try.
		3H			44xx, maximum 1NT opening.
			3S		Sets spades as trump suit, continue with cue bids
			other		Sets hearts as trump, cue bid.
		3NT			Maximum 1NT.
	2S				54xx (any strength) or 55xx and invitational (shown by 3H rebid). One round force.
		2NT			Minimum hand, doubleton spade - necessarily 2335, 2353 or 2344.
*		3C,3D,3H			Maximum 1NT and three or four spades, cuebid.
		3S			Minimum 1NT, three or four spades.
		3NT			Maximum 1NT, two spades.
	2NT				Natural.
	3m				Five card suit, slam interest.
*	3H				64xx invitational. (Optional, opener having denied hearts the only real interest here is in spades.)
*	3S				64xx game going but no slam interest, which would be shown with a transfer. (Optional, opener having denied hearts the only real interest here is in spades.)
	3NT				Natural.

O	R	O	R
2H				Four or five hearts and fewer than four spades.
	2S			Relay asking if opener has four or five hearts. Responder must have exactly three hearts to bid this.
		2NT		Minimum 1NT, exactly four hearts. (All rebids by responder except 3NT show slam interest.)
		3H		Minimum 1NT, five hearts. Cuebids from this point.
		3NT		Maximum 1NT, four hearts. (Note that 3C, 3D and 3S could be used to clarify opener's distribution but this disclosure is generally of more help to the defense.)
		4H		Maximum 1NT, five hearts. Cuebids from this point.
	2NT			Natural. (Responder wanted to check for a five card spade suit.)
	3m			Five card minor, slam interest. As responder may have three hearts opener should immediately rebid 3H holding five, postponing support for the minor, if present.
	3H			Invitational.
	3N			Natural
	4C			RK Gerber - hearts.
	4H			To play.
	4NT			Quantatative.

R	O	R	O
2S				Either a minor suit bust or a weak or strong minor two suiter.
	2NT			Diamond or no preference.
		3m		To play
		3M		Singleton or void, strong xx55.
			3NT	No interest.
			4m	Setting suit.
		3NT		2245 or 2254, mild slam interest, not forcing.
		4m		2245/2254 (bid shows the five card suit), strong slam interest.
			4D/5C	Agrees to responder's four card suit
			4M	Agrees to responder's five card suit, cuebid.
			4NT	Natural.
	3C			Club preference.
		3D		To play. (Diamond bust.)
		3M		Clubs selected, cue bid.
		3NT		Clubs selected, mild slam interest, not forcing.
		4C		RK Gerber, clubs.