Puppet Checkback after a 1NT Rebid

Introduction

After a 1NT rebid by opener, standard methods are that a two-level rebid by responder (other than a reverse) is weak while a three-level bid or a reverse is game-forcing. The only game invitation possible is 2NT.

That is clearly less than satisfactory, and many pairs play a "checkback" system that allows a variety of game invitational bids and helps uncover hidden suit fits while still permitting responder to sign off when weak.

What I consider to be the best checkback method is known variously as "Puppet Checkback" (in Ron Klinger's books) and "Modified Two-Way Stayman" (in Max Hardy's publications). There are some minor differences between the two, but they are essentially the same convention. I find Klinger's to be the more consistent, and I prefer his name "Puppet Checkback" since it is more descriptive and better known. It is Klinger's convention that is described here.

What is a "puppet" bid?

A puppet bid simply asks partner to make the cheapest bid, whatever his holding. It is a bit like a transfer, except that a transfer promises a holding in the suit being transferred to, whereas a puppet does not promise a holding in the requested suit.

The purpose of a puppet bid is to create an alternate pathway to some higher bid, so that a later bid can be assigned a different meaning if made via the puppet to the meaning it has if bid without travelling via the puppet. For example, in Puppet Checkback, we use 1, 1; 1NT, 2 as a sign-off, but (with a puppet 2, 2 inserted) 1, 1; 1NT, 2; 2, 2 becomes a game-invitation.

A puppet bid can also be used as an escape to the puppet suit, like a transfer. But, unlike a transfer, if the puppet bidder then continues the auction he does not promise any holding in the puppet suit.

Puppet Checkback

After a 1NT rebid by opener, we assign artificial meanings to 2, 2 and 2NT, but leave 2 and 2 as natural bids (so that they are weak unless a reverse). Three level bids are natural (strong and distributional) and 3NT is to play.

2 becomes a puppet to 2, which responder can pass if weak with diamonds. But if he bids again his next bid is natural and invitational.

2NT is a puppet to 3 which responder can pass if weak and distributional with long clubs. If responder bids again it is game forcing: responder does not show clubs but shows a strong 6-card holding in his major suit.

2 is a game-forcing checkback enquiry, not necessarily showing diamonds. Opener is asked to bid an unbid 4-card suit or to give 3-card support to responder, and failing that to bid NT or perhaps a good minor suit.

Note well: 2NT is not an invitation to 3NT! It is a puppet to 3. All invitational hands must start with the 2 puppet to 2. To invite game in no trump, simply bid the 2 puppet and then bid a natural 2NT over opener's 2.

The complete Puppet Checkback system over a 1NT rebid is:

Three level suit bids are natural, strong and distributional: 5-5 or better if a second suit is bid by responder, a 6-card suit or longer if a repeat of responder's suit.

The benefits of Puppet Checkback

You can invite game simply and cheaply. If the invitation is refused, you can play at the two level.

You can invite game in different ways. For example, after the puppet sequence 1, 1; 1NT, 2; 2, responder's continuation of 2 shows invitational values and a 5-card suit. But if he instead continues with 3 he shows a 6-card suit, though still with invitational values only. The implication of the 3 invitation is that a no trump contract may be preferable to 4 if opener is maximum and has a fit that will help the suit to run. If opener is minimum, he passes 3, of course.

Invitations can similarly be made in the minor suits, with 1, 1; 1NT, 2; 2, 3/3 showing a 6-card suit and allowing opener to pass and play in a safe contract if he cannot accept the invitation.

And with game values but unsure of where to play, responder's artifical and forcing 2 allows the partnership to explore safely, without risk of a premature pass.

The most significant benefit of Puppet Checkback

If you play "old-fashioned Acol" and your 1NT rebid is a narrow 15-16 hcp, you will have little need for any checkback system, since responder hardly needs any invitational bids. But the more modern pattern of no trump rebids (assuming a 12-14 1NT opening) is to rebid 1NT with 15-17 hcp and 2NT with 18-19 hcp. This avoids leaping to high levels and leaves space for investigating a possible suit fit.

But by using a checkback system, players have found that even this can be significantly improved. The no trump rebid ranges preferred today by weak no trump players is to rebid 1NT with 15-18 hcp and 2NT with 19-20 hcp (and the 2NT opening bid is narrowed to 21-22 hcp). This improves your ability to find fits with balanced hands opposite balanced hands, but it is only possible to use a wide-range 15-18 hcp 1NT rebid if you use an effective checkback system, such as the one presented here.

Chris Burton's extension

I have found it useful to make one innovation from the standard Puppet Checkback, in the form of an extension to the 2 bid. This extension allows a weak responder with a 5-card major and at least 4 cards in the other major to ensure that the best possible fit is found, in either 2 or 2. The extension only applies when responder's first bid was a major suit. It is not relevant if he first bid 1 and the usual rules apply.

We extend the 2 bid so that it can be used also by a weak responder with both major suits who wishes to play in the better major suit fit at the two level. This is a huge boon in matchpoint pairs, in particular, but is a sensible innovation in any form of the game.

Let us assume that the opening bid was 1 (1 is no different) and opener rebids 1NT after a major suit response. A weak responder with 5 spades and 4 hearts has no problem showing his hand. The sequence is 1, 1; 1NT, 2. Opener knows responder has 5 spades and 4 hearts and can pass 2 with 4-card support, otherwise correct to 2. But if the weak responder is 5-5 in the majors he cannot show it at the two level, and if he has 5 hearts and 4 spades an attempt to show spades would be a reverse, showing game values.

We extend the 2 bid so that opener's first priority is to show, if he has it, the holding in the other major suit that a weak responder would otherwise be unable to uncover. If opener does not have the sought holding, he bids responder's first suit irrespective of his holding in that suit. The fit will be 5-2 at the worst. A weak responder will pass opener's bid (which will be either 2 or 2). If responder continues, the auction becomes game-forcing, just as in the standard system above. The extensions are:

With this small change, the best two-level contract is guaranteed. When responder is game-forcing, the enquiry continues naturally and the best contract is easily located.

Agreeing the Puppet Checkback method

Agree the following with your partner:

If you want to add Chris Burton's extension, your agreement for 2 changes to:

Notes

An American Variation. In Max Hardy's exposition of the American Two-Over-One Game Forcing System, his "Modified Two-Way Stayman" is very similar to Puppet Checkback but with one significant difference. He plays responder's 2NT as a natural invitational raise but denying 4-card support for opener's suit. The bid of 2NT via the 2, 2 puppet sequence promises 4-card support for opener's suit, allowing opener to convert to three of his suit if he doesn't wish to accept the invitation. That seems a useful variation, but it is a bit of a memory test. And it has the serious disadvantge that responder's 3 must now be a natural weak takeout, rather than strong and forcing. This is another memory test, since it is surely easier to remember that all three-level bids are forcing. I recommend you use Ron Klinger's system, as presented here. But, because of this variation, check with your partner how you should interpret the 2NT and 3 bids, just in case he has come across Puppet Checkback via an American route.

Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club