This version of Minor Suit Stayman (MSS) uses a bid of Two Diamonds after opener bids one notrump to search for a minor suit game or the suitability of notrump.
2D is a GAME-FORCING response, showing
(a) an unbalanced minor suit hand
(b) no four card major
(c) a sngleton or void.
Opener bids
(a) a suit to show concentrated strength in that suit (e.g., AKJ), but does not promise four cards
(b) 2NT -- scattered values -- no suit with concentrated values
Responder rebids after opener's suit bid
(a) 2NT -- responder's shortness is in opener's strong suit (assuming opener responded in a major, asking opener to bid 3NT with a control in the other major
(b) 3NT -- to play
(c) 3 of a minor -- probably has a singleton or void in the other major and wants opener to raise or bid the other minor, whichever suit is better for opener
(d) Raising opener when opener has rebid a minor suit -- a slam try
(e) Bidding game in a minor opener has rebid- sgnoff
Responder rebids after opener's 2NT bid
(a) 3NT -- to play
(b) 3 of a major -- responder is short in that suit and asks opener to bid 3NT with a control in that suit
(c) 3C -- at least 5 clubs/4 diamonds -- asks opener to raise with 3 clubs, bid 3D with four diamonds. NOTE: holding 4432, opener might respond 3NT as the lesser of evils
(d) 3D -- at least 5 diamonds, 4 clubs -- asks opener to raise with 3 diamonds, 4C with four clubs. See previous NOTE
Partnerships frequently adjust these responses to their own tastes, so please discuss these responses with your partner before playing this convention.
The most important Bidding Conventions