Puppet Stayman

Quick Summary

Updated March 2026 with the latest strategies and examples.

Puppet Stayman is a 3♣ response to 2NT that finds 5-card majors as well as 4-card majors. It’s the “upgraded” version of regular Stayman for strong notrump auctions.

The Problem It Solves

After partner opens 2NT (20-21), you hold: ♠K973 ♥A5 ♦Q84 ♣J752

With regular Stayman, if partner has 5 spades, you’d never find the fit, they’d just deny a 4-card major.

Puppet Stayman solves this by asking about 5-card majors first.

The Basics

After 2NT:

Response Meaning

3♣ Puppet Stayman, asks about majors

3♦ Transfer to hearts

3♥ Transfer to spades

3♠ Minor suit Stayman (some partnerships)

Opener’s Rebids After 3♣

Rebid Meaning

3♦ No 5-card major, but has one or both 4-card majors

3♥ 5 hearts

3♠ 5 spades

3NT No 4 or 5 card major

Responder’s Rebids After 3♦

When opener bids 3♦ (showing 4-card major(s)):

Responder Bids Meaning

3♥ 4 spades (NOT hearts!) — “transfers” to 3♠ if opener has 4

3♠ 4 hearts (NOT spades!) — “transfers” to 4♥ if opener has 4

3NT No 4-card major, was only looking for 5-card major

4♣/4♦ Both 4-card majors (choice of cue-bid)

Key insight: Responder bids the major they don’t have! This keeps opener as declarer.

Step-by-Step Examples

Example 1: Finding a 5-Card Fit

Opener: ♠AQJ85 ♥KQ ♦AK3 ♣Q74 (21 HCP) Responder: ♠K73 ♥A85 ♦Q962 ♣J52 (9 HCP)

2NT 3♣ (Puppet) 3♠ 4♠

Opener shows 5 spades directly. Easy game in the 5-3 fit.

Example 2: Finding a 4-4 Fit

Opener: ♠KQ94 ♥AJ ♦AKJ5 ♣K72 (21 HCP) Responder: ♠A753 ♥K84 ♦Q62 ♣854 (9 HCP)

2NT 3♣ (Puppet) 3♦ 3♥ (shows 4 SPADES) 3♠ 4♠

Responder bids 3♥ to show spades. Opener has 4 spades, bids 3♠. 4-4 fit found!

Example 3: No Major Fit

Opener: ♠K5 ♥AQ3 ♦AKJ74 ♣KJ5 (21 HCP) Responder: ♠Q974 ♥K85 ♦Q62 ♣A84 (11 HCP)

2NT 3♣ (Puppet) 3NT Pass

Opener denies any 4+ major. Responder gives up on the major fit.

Example 4: Responder Has Both Majors

Opener: ♠AK85 ♥KQ74 ♦AQ ♣K52 (21 HCP) Responder: ♠Q973 ♥A852 ♦J74 ♣83 (8 HCP)

2NT 3♣ (Puppet) 3♦ 4♦ (both majors) 4♥ Pass

Responder shows both 4-card majors with 4♦. Opener picks hearts.

The Memory Trick

After 3♦, responder bids “up the line in reverse”: – 3♥ = “I have 4 spades” (one step up from ♦) – 3♠ = “I have 4 hearts” (two steps up from ♦)

Think of it as: bid what you DON’T have to keep partner as declarer.

After 1NT (Some Partnerships)

Puppet Stayman can also be used after 1NT:

Sequence Meaning

1NT – 2♣ Regular Stayman

1NT – 2NT – 3♣ Puppet (after invitational 2NT)

Or some play 2♣ as Puppet directly over 1NT. Partnership agreement required!

Common Variations

Muppet Stayman

A combination where: – 3♣ = Puppet (as above) – 3♦ = Transfer to hearts (standard) – 3♥ = Transfer to spades with slam interest

5-Card Stayman

Some partnerships simply play that 2NT opener always shows a 5-card major if they have one: – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ = 5 hearts AND maybe 4 spades – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♠ = 5 spades (denies 4 hearts)

Puppet vs Regular Stayman

Feature Regular Stayman Puppet Stayman

Finds 4-4 fits Yes Yes

Finds 5-3 fits No (need transfer) Yes

Complexity Low Medium

Responder shape 4+ major 3+ major OK

Key Takeaways

3♣ = Puppet Stayman — asks about 4 AND 5 card majors
3♦ = “I have a 4-card major” — responder continues asking
3♥/3♠ = 5-card suit — direct answer, responder places contract
Bid what you DON’T have, keeps opener as declarer
Great for slam hands, more precision in the auction

See also: Stayman (basic version), Jacoby Transfers (alternative way to find fits)

Practice What You’ve Learned

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