[blml] Is ordinary Stayman no longer artificial? [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[Guthrie]

[Ed Reppert]
Okay, Jerry, I'll play your game.

In the spirit of full disclosure, when you ask me what our agreement
is regarding partner's 2C response to my 1NT opener in an uncontested
auction, you will get this reply: "This is an asking bid. Partner
wants further information from me, particularly about my major suit
holdings. He has 0 to (40-however many points I have) HCP. Fewer than
six spades. Fewer than six hearts. 0-13 diamonds, 0-13 clubs. He may
be balanced or unbalanced."

I don't believe I can tell you anything more specific about partner's
hand until I hear his rebid. I could speculate, along the lines of
"if he has this minor suit holding, he has that strength," and so on,
but it seems to me that such speculation goes far beyond what the
principle of full disclosure requires.


[Nige1]
For me the answer would simple. Stayman usually shows ...
- "Scramble" with a weak hand and at least 3 spades OR
- Game interest with at least one 4-5 card major OR
- Game force with at least one 4-5 card minor.

I can categorically rule out most of the hands on which Ed uses 
Stayman. For example ...
- 7+card minors
- 5+5+ in the minors
- and so on.

I sympathise with Ed's disclosure problem. If you consider other 
auctions like
2H-2N (Relays)
1H-4N (Asking bids like RKCB)
(1C)X (Take-out doubles)
1H(1S)2S (UCBs)
1H-2D-; 2S-3C (4SFs)
Then it is obvious that Ed has a good point. I still feel, however, 
that according to the law, we should do the best that we can.