Is stamen a valid bid after an intervening bid, eg 1NT-2S-3C?
Answer Hi, If there is an intervening bid the dynamics of the auction changes. While different people play different things, the most commonly used methods are given below. If the opponents double then no bidding room has been taken up and you can still use the 2C bid as Stayman. If the opponents interfere by bidding 2C, many people play that you can now bid Stayman by doubling their 2C bid. Your double then is not for penalties but rather asking partner about his major suits…a substitute for the Stayman bid that the opponents have so rudely taken away. If they interfere at the two level above 2C then many people play that a cuebid of their suit is Stayman. Then 1NT-2D-3D asks about the majors while 1NT-2H-3H asks for a four card spade suit and 1NT-2S-3S asks for a four card heart suit. If partner does not have what you are asking for he just bids 3NT. Of course, in order for you (responder) to make any of these bids you should have enough strength to bid game since you are likely to
