This week we are looking at various aspects of the Stayman convention. What is the fewest number of points you need to use Stayman?

Normally, responder will have at least enough points to invite game. So, opposite a one-no-trump opening that shows 15-17 points, responder will have nine high-card points (or eight with a five-card suit in a minor).

However, assuming that you employ transfers into the majors, it is possible to use Stayman with zero points -- what is called garbage Stayman. You may have 4-4-5-0 distribution, when you plan to pass whatever opener rebids. Or you have (in principle) at least 5-5 in the majors. If opener rebids two of a major, you pass, knowing it is a nine-card fit. Or, if opener rebids two diamonds, you continue with two hearts. Then, opener passes with three hearts (as in this deal), or corrects to two spades with three spades and two hearts.

Against two hearts, West leads the trump queen. How should South continue?

Note that one no-trump should be defeated.

South should plan to ruff a spade on the board. He should win the first trick and call for the spade king. East should win with the ace and return his second heart. But South wins on the board, plays a spade to his queen, and leads a third spade. If West ruffs, it is with his trump trick, and South can ruff the fourth round of spades in the dummy to make an overtrick. If West discards, South ruffs on the board and finishes with eight tricks: two spades, one spade ruff, four hearts and one club.

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