Smolen Convention: Show 5-4 Majors After Stayman
Smolen is a convention used after a Stayman start. It solves a specific problem: responder has 5-4 in the majors and wants to show it efficiently.
Typical setup
Partner opens 1NT and you have 5-4 in the majors and enough points for game (or slam). Some people just transfer to the 5 card then bid the other one. There is a different way to do this, commonly used, called Smolen.
With 5-4 in the majors (can have 5 cards of either major, and 4 of the other), start by bidding stayman.
If partner shows a major, great, you have a fit - end of story. Now bid game.
If partner bids 2D, denying a major, this is where smolen comes in - we want to show our 5 card major now.
A common Smolen context
- 1NT - 2C (Stayman)
- 2D (no 4-card major shown by opener)
Now responder jumps in the major they DON'T have 5 cards in. This is the main tricky part of smolen.
Typical sequence
1NT 2C
2D 3S
Responder jumped to 3S. That shows 5 cards in hearts (we jump in the other major). It's a bit like a transfer.
If agreements are unclear, it causes expensive misunderstandings.
- Using Smolen without confirming partnership version
- Confusing Smolen jumps with natural jump bids
- Forgetting opener’s rebid implications after Smolen action
Smolen is a precision tool for 5-4 major hands after Stayman.
Once your basic 1NT toolkit is stable, Smolen can improve accuracy significantly.