<p>The most common answer to this problem is called Smolen, which applies when you have game-forcing values. In Smolen, you start with Stayman. If partner shows a 4-card major, proceed as normal with that suit as trumps. If partner denies a major, you bid your 4-card major at the three level. Opener now chooses a strain.</p>

<p>With less than game-forcing values, your choices really depend on what other bids mean in your system, but the following is usually workable:</p>

<ul>
<li>With 5 spades, 4 hearts, and invitational values, bid Stayman and rebid 2S after opener's 2D.</li>
<li>With 5 hearts, 4 spades, and invitational values, transfer to hearts and rebid 2S after partner accepts the transfer.</li>
<li>With 5-4 and less than invitational values, consider using "Crawling Stayman." This is a rebid of 2H after 1NT-2C-2D, and it shows a weak hand with the majors. Opener passes or corrects.</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-10T18:39:27.650Z
It is important to note that while *common*, neither of these methods is *standard*. One cannot play them without prior agreement and significant discussion with partner on the relevant inferences and sequences.
Forget I was ever here
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-09T21:19:43.253Z
2015-08-09T21:19:43.253Z
ruds
<p>As <em>ruds</em> points out in his answer, the expert treatment here holding game-forcing or better values is to play <a href="http://www.bridgewebs.com/ocala/Stayman%20with%20Smolen%20Crawling%20and%20Extended%20Stayman.pdf" rel="nofollow">Smolen Transfers</a>. In this case the auction has gone:</p>

<pre><code>1NT  pass 2C  pass
2D   pass  ?
</code></pre>

<p>and (with * indicating the alertable transfer calls):<br>
- <strong>2H</strong> shows game-invitational (only) values with exactly 4 spades and 5+ hearts;<br>
- <strong>2S</strong> shows game-invitational (only) values with exactly 4 hearts and 5+ spades;<br>
- <strong>2NT</strong> 9 points, invitational in NT;<br>
- <strong>3C</strong> game forcing, 5+ (usually 6) clubs, no 4-card major;<br>
- <strong>3D</strong> game-forcing, 5+ (usually 6) diamonds, no 4-card major;<br>
- <strong>3H</strong> * game-forcing, with exactly 4 <em>hearts</em> and 5+ <em>spades</em>;<br>
- <strong>3S</strong> * game-forcing, with exactly 4 <em>spades</em> and 5+ <em>hearts</em>;<br>
- <strong>3NT</strong> to play<br>
etc.</p>

<p>With less than game-invitational values you have fewer choices, and tougher decisions:</p>

<p>Holding 22 distribution in the minors and a weak 5-card major it is probably best to pass and just play 1NT. If the opponents come in they may get a nasty shock from the unfavourable distribution waiting them in the majors.</p>

<p>With 31 or 40 distribution (either way) in the minors or a strong 5-card major you should simply transfer into your 5-card major and pass partner's rebid. </p>

<p>With a bust three-suited hand, short in clubs, it is possible to play Garbage Stayman and simply pass partner's response to 2C. Unless playing Matchpoints I would not recommend this without 5 diamonds and 4-3 or 3-4 in the majors.</p>

<p>It is possible to play <a href="http://www.bridgehands.com/C/Crawling_Stayman.htm" rel="nofollow">Crawling Stayman</a> over partner's 2D response, but this will cost you precision in game-invitational auctions; it is strictly a Matchpoints convention, where part-score auctions are of increased importance.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-17T15:45:44.733Z
2015-08-17T15:45:44.733Z
Forget I was ever here
<p>Partner opens 1NT.</p>

<p>With a 4 carder Spade and a 5 carder Heart, what do you do?<br>
And with a 5 carder Spade and a 4 carder Heart?</p>

<p>Specifically, should you use Stayman, Jacoby Transfers, or some other convention?</p>

<bridge><bidding>
Bridge: Which transfer do you use with both majors - one 5 carder and another 4 carder
user93353
# Bridge: Which transfer do you use with both majors - one 5 carder and another 4 carder

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-08-09)

Partner opens 1NT.

With a 4 carder Spade and a 5 carder Heart, what do you do?  
And with a 5 carder Spade and a 4 carder Heart?

Specifically, should you use Stayman, Jacoby Transfers, or some other convention?

**Tags:** bridge, bidding


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-08-09. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

The most common answer to this problem is called Smolen, which applies when you have game-forcing values. In Smolen, you start with Stayman. If partner shows a 4-card major, proceed as normal with that suit as trumps. If partner denies a major, you bid your 4-card major at the three level. Opener now chooses a strain.

With less than game-forcing values, your choices really depend on what other bids mean in your system, but the following is usually workable:

* With 5 spades, 4 hearts, and invitational values, bid Stayman and rebid 2S after opener's 2D.
* With 5 hearts, 4 spades, and invitational values, transfer to hearts and rebid 2S after partner accepts the transfer.
* With 5-4 and less than invitational values, consider using "Crawling Stayman." This is a rebid of 2H after 1NT-2C-2D, and it shows a weak hand with the majors. Opener passes or corrects.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: It is important to note that while *common*, neither of these methods is *standard*. One cannot play them without prior agreement and significant discussion with partner on the relevant inferences and sequences.  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-08-17. Score: 1

As *username_1* points out in his answer, the expert treatment username_2 holding game-forcing or better values is to play [Smolen Transfers](http://www.bridgewebs.com/ocala/Stayman%20with%20Smolen%20Crawling%20and%20Extended%20Stayman.pdf). In this case the auction has gone:

```
1NT  pass 2C  pass
2D   pass  ?

```

and (with \* indicating the alertable transfer calls):  
- **2H** shows game-invitational (only) values with exactly 4 spades and 5+ hearts;  
- **2S** shows game-invitational (only) values with exactly 4 hearts and 5+ spades;  
- **2NT** 9 points, invitational in NT;  
- **3C** game forcing, 5+ (usually 6) clubs, no 4-card major;  
- **3D** game-forcing, 5+ (usually 6) diamonds, no 4-card major;  
- **3H** \* game-forcing, with exactly 4 *hearts* and 5+ *spades*;  
- **3S** \* game-forcing, with exactly 4 *spades* and 5+ *hearts*;  
- **3NT** to play  
etc.

With less than game-invitational values you have fewer choices, and tougher decisions:

Holding 22 distribution in the minors and a weak 5-card major it is probably best to pass and just play 1NT. If the opponents come in they may get a nasty shock from the unfavourable distribution waiting them in the majors.

With 31 or 40 distribution (either way) in the minors or a strong 5-card major you should simply transfer into your 5-card major and pass partner's rebid.

With a bust three-suited hand, short in clubs, it is possible to play Garbage Stayman and simply pass partner's response to 2C. Unless playing Matchpoints I would not recommend this without 5 diamonds and 4-3 or 3-4 in the majors.

It is possible to play [Crawling Stayman](http://www.bridgehands.com/C/Crawling_Stayman.htm) over partner's 2D response, but this will cost you precision in game-invitational auctions; it is strictly a Matchpoints convention, where part-score auctions are of increased importance.


---

