<p>According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stayman_convention#Puppet_Stayman" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Puppet Stayman, initially developed by Neil Silverman and refined by Kit Woolsey and Steve Robinson in 1977-78</p>
</blockquote>

<p>If you can locate copies of the April 1977 and April 1978 editions of <em>The Bridge World</em> magazine that might have more details on the history of the system.</p>

<p>As to why it's called puppet stayman, <a href="http://www.bridgevaria.com/index.php/questions-about-bridge/525-what-is-puppet-in-puppet-stayman" rel="nofollow">this page</a> has an answer from the editor of <em>The Bridge World</em>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In The Bridge World's terminology, a puppet is a transfer that systemically requires partner to make the cheapest bid. Puppet Stayman is so-called because in the original version a 2♣ response to 1NT required opener to bid 2♦ (as in Gladiator before it).</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-31T10:36:43.437Z
2013-05-31T10:36:43.437Z
Tom77
<p>There are many variations, but I presume there was an initial original version of puppet stayman.</p>

<p>Does anyone know who came up with it, and why it is named as such?</p>

<p>(A google search has been unrevealing)</p>

<bridge><history><terminology>
Origin of Puppet Stayman
Aryabhata
# Origin of Puppet Stayman

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-05-31)

There are many variations, but I presume there was an initial original version of puppet stayman.

Does anyone know who came up with it, and why it is named as such?

(A google search has been unrevealing)

**Tags:** bridge, history, terminology


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-05-31. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

According to [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stayman_convention#Puppet_Stayman):

> Puppet Stayman, initially developed by Neil Silverman and refined by Kit Woolsey and Steve Robinson in 1977-78

If you can locate copies of the April 1977 and April 1978 editions of *The Bridge World* magazine that might have more details on the history of the system.

As to why it's called puppet stayman, [this page](http://www.bridgevaria.com/index.php/questions-about-bridge/525-what-is-puppet-in-puppet-stayman) has an answer from the editor of *The Bridge World*:

> In The Bridge World's terminology, a puppet is a transfer that systemically requires partner to make the cheapest bid. Puppet Stayman is so-called because in the original version a 2♣ response to 1NT required opener to bid 2♦ (as in Gladiator before it).


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