Namyats
This is Sam’s lesser known convention (Namyats is Stayman spelled backwards!)
This is an opening bid or 4C or 4D to show the majors. The meaning is quite precise;
4C shows a long (6-7+) solid (3+ top honors) heart suit with outside values such that the hand has precisely 5 losers. With one fewer loser, the opening would be 2C intending to rebid 3H, thus insisting on game/slam in hearts. With 6+ losers, the opening would be 1H. 4D is the same but showing spades.
Responding
Opener has absolutely set the trump suit so responder’s only task is to find the correct level. Responder is usually well placed to do this; such is the precision of the opening in terms of trick taking strength. The 4C opening is used in the examples below but responses to 4D are analogous.
Over a 4C opening;
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This is Sam’s lesser known convention (Namyats is Stayman spelled backwards!)
This is an opening bid or 4C or 4D to show the majors. The meaning is quite precise;
4C shows a long (6-7+) solid (3+ top honors) heart suit with outside values such that the hand has precisely 5 losers. With one fewer loser, the opening would be 2C intending to rebid 3H, thus insisting on game/slam in hearts. With 6+ losers, the opening would be 1H. 4D is the same but showing spades.
Responding
Opener has absolutely set the trump suit so responder’s only task is to find the correct level. Responder is usually well placed to do this; such is the precision of the opening in terms of trick taking strength. The 4C opening is used in the examples below but responses to 4D are analogous.
Over a 4C opening;
- If responder knows the appropriate level, he can just bid it i.e. 4H, 6H or 7H. However, this will wrong side the contract (i.e. put the strong hand on the table) so unless responder has good reason to do so (perhaps to protect a tenace) he should relay;
- If responder knows the correct level and wishes to right side the contract, he relays i.e. 4D, 6D or 7D and opener transfers to hearts.
- Responder can bid 4NT which is RKCB. Note that he already knows opener has 2 keycards plus the trump queen so he is really only interested in hearing a 5C or 5D response.
- Any other bid by responder has to be control (1st or 2nd round) showing, thus 4S shows a spade control, 5C shows a club control and denies a spade control if 4S was skipped, likewise 5D etc.
- In the face of intervention, responder is usually well placed to pass, bid on, double or bid 5D/H as required.
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