Deal 2 ♠  
 
 
♣  
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1NTpass BID 
 
 
 

North opens 1NT. What do you respond?
  ♠ A 4
A J 9 8
10 8 7 2
♣ 8 6 5
 

 
Deal 2 ♠  
 
 
♣  
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1NTpass2♣
pass2♠pass BID 
 
 

North opens 1NT. What do you respond?

You have 9 points and a 4-card Major. Just enough for an invitational Stayman sequence. You bid 2♣ and partner answers 2♠.
What do you bid next?
  ♠ A 4
A J 9 8
10 8 7 2
♣ 8 6 5
 

 
Deal 2 ♠ K Q J 5
10 6 3
A Q 9
♣ K Q 10
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1NTpass2♣
pass2♠pass2NT
pass3NTpasspass
pass

North opens 1NT. What do you respond?

You have 9 points and a 4-card Major. Just enough for an invitational Stayman sequence. You bid 2♣ and partner answers 2♠.
What do you bid next?


Partner has the wrong Major. Now that you know there is no 8-card Major fit you must go to notrump. And since you don't have the strength to insist on game you say 2NT which is an invitation for partner to bid 3NT if he has a maximum.

He has a maximum and he bids 3NT.


 Deal 3 
  ♠ A 4
A J 9 8
10 8 7 2
♣ 8 6 5