jfnrl, on 2015-November-18, 11:11, said:
In my opinion, the main minus of stayman 3 responses is that slam auctions are more complicated.
Playing stayman 4 responses, if the auction begins :
1NT 2C
2H 3D
The responder may look for a stopper in C (plausible contracts are 3NT, 4M -fit 4-3, 5D); he may also show a strong hand with or without fit (plausible contracts 4H, 5D, slam in D/H).
It seems me very complicated if he must keep in mind that the opener may have 4S.
Playing stayman 4 responses, if the auction begins :
1NT 2C
2H 3D
The responder may look for a stopper in C (plausible contracts are 3NT, 4M -fit 4-3, 5D); he may also show a strong hand with or without fit (plausible contracts 4H, 5D, slam in D/H).
It seems me very complicated if he must keep in mind that the opener may have 4S.
That may have been a problem in the bad old days when people didn't play 4-way transfers and this was the only way to start a slam try in diamonds. Nowadays I expect responder has guaranteed 4 spades on this auction and he doesn't have to worry all the time because opener knows for sure whether they have a spade fit or not.