
Smolen was
created to enable transfers to still be made into the no-trump opener’s hand by
responder even after using Stayman, whenever responder
has five-four in the majors and values for game. Smolen is only played at the three-level as you must have
game forcing values to use it. Here is how it works: after a 1NT opening
and a negative (2D) response to Stayman,
responder makes a game-forcing jump to three of his shorter (four-card)
major, promising five-cards in the other major. Opener can declarer in 3NT,
when he doesn’t have a fit or four of responder’s five-card major (by accepting
the transfer option) when he does have a three-card fit.
If responder has
a six-card major and a four-card major with values for game, he should
bid Stayman over 1NT, and over a negative (2D)
response, if playing Texas Transfers, he can jump to 4D with a six-card
heart suit and 4H with a six-card spade suit and still effect the
transfer.
Smolen can also be
used over 2NT or 2C, followed by a 2NT rebid.
Again, after standard Stayman and a
negative response (now 3D), responder simply bids three of his shorter
major, promising at least five-cards in the other major. The
responses are just the same as over 1NT, shown above. With six-four
in the majors, responder bids Stayman and over the
negative response (3D), he bids three of his four-card major. If
partner bids 3NT, showing only two cards in responder’s six-card major,
responder can still force opener to declare in his major by bidding 4D,
using it as an artificial bid, forcing opener to bid four of responder’s known
longer major.
Basic
Standard Structure:
1NT-2C-2D: 3H = Shows five spades
and four hearts with at least values for game.
3S = Shows five hearts and four spades with at least
values for game.
Responses over either bid:
3NT = Denies three-card support for responders longer major.
Bid of responders longer major (3S or 4H) = Shows 3-card support.
2NT-3C-3D: 3H = Shows five or more spades and four hearts with at least values for game.
3S = Shows five or more hearts and four spades with at least values for game.
Responses over either bid:
3NT = Denies 3-card support for responders longer major.
4C = Gerber
4D = Forces opener to bid four of responder’s longer major.
Bid of responder’s longer major (3S or 4H) = Shows 3-card support.
Optional Suggestions: