Bridge lessons · Lesson 14 of 26
Stayman and Transfers
Updated 16 October 2026
Over partner's 1NT, two conventions find out whether your side holds eight cards in a major before you choose between notrump and a suit contract. Stayman, a reply of 2♣, asks opener for a four-card major. A Jacoby transfer shows a five-card major instead. 2♦ shows hearts, 2♥ shows spades, and opener bids the suit you showed. Nearly every club player uses both.
Stayman: asking for a major
A convention is a bid with an agreed meaning that differs from its natural one. Over partner's 1NT, a reply of 2♣ says nothing about clubs, which leaves it free to carry the Stayman question.
Use Stayman when you hold 8 or more points and at least one four-card major. The points matter because after opener's answer you may need to bid 2NT or higher. Opener answers in one of three ways.
| Opener bids | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 2♦ | No four-card major |
| 2♥ | Four or more hearts, and possibly four spades as well |
| 2♠ | Four or more spades, but not four hearts |
Now responder knows whether the side holds eight cards in a major and places the contract with the point ranges from lesson 13.
- With a fit, raise opener's major to the three level with 8 or 9 points, an invitation, or straight to game with 10 to 15.
- Without a fit, bid 2NT with 8 or 9 points or 3NT with 10 to 15, the same replies you would have made without Stayman. After a 2♥ answer this also tells opener you hold four spades, since you asked for a major and did not raise hearts. Opener with four spades too bids them, 3♠ with a minimum or 4♠ with a maximum over 2NT, and 4♠ over 3NT.
Transfers: showing five cards
Holding a five-card major, at any strength, responder bids the suit just below it, so 2♦ shows hearts and 2♥ shows spades. These are Jacoby transfers. Opener accepts by bidding the next suit up, 2♥ after 2♦ and 2♠ after 2♥, which players call completing the transfer.
Bidding this way helps twice over. The transfer works at any strength, so a weak hand can move from 1NT to two of its major, and a stronger one still has room to say more. And the 1NT opener becomes declarer, so the strong hand stays hidden and the opening lead comes up to it instead of through it.
After opener completes the transfer, responder places the contract by points and by the length of the major.
| Your points | Five cards | Six cards or more |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 7 | Pass | Pass |
| 8 or 9 | 2NT | Three of the major |
| 10 to 15 | 3NT | Four of the major |
After 2NT or 3NT, opener knows of five cards in the major opposite. Holding three or more of them, opener plays in the major, and holding two stays in notrump. After 2NT opener also decides between game and a part score, by the top or bottom of the 15 to 17 range.
Watch it in a deal
You are South and open 1NT. Watch North use Stayman, then follow the first four tricks.
South opens 1NT with 17 points. North has 12 points and four cards in each major, so North asks with 2♣. South has four hearts and answers 2♥. North now knows of eight hearts between the hands and enough points for game, and bids 4♥.
The habit to keep
When partner opens 1NT, look at your majors before anything else. Holding five cards in a major, transfer whatever your strength. A four-card major and 8 points or more means Stayman. Without a major, you are back to the notrump replies of lesson 13. After the answer, count the side's points again and choose between a part score, an invitation and game.
For the finer points of each convention, see Stayman and Jacoby transfers.
Practice: Stayman and transfers
Eight quick questions on what you just read.