This next suggestion is more complicated but can be very useful.
2 ♠ and 2NT become both Asking Bids and Transfers to the Minors and so a natural 2NT is no
longer available.
So if you have 11 or 12 points and no 4 card Major you get round the problem by playing what
is called non-promissory Stayman.
This means that after you have bid 2 ♣ as Stayman and Partner
responds 2♦ when you rebid 2NT your Partner alerts and says that it doesn't
promise a 4 card Major.
If Partner bids 2♥ you either raise (with Hearts) or bid 2 ♠
showing 4 Spades and 11 points.So if you bid 2NT partner must alert and say you don't have 4 Spades.
Similarly if partner bids 2 ♠ and you bid 2NT and it is alerted and said not to promise 4 Hearts.
2 ♠ and 2NT are asking bids in Clubs and Diamonds respectively
Here are three hands
One ♣ QJ7432♥J65 ♦A6
♣ 89
Two ♠ AQ9843♥J65
♦K6 ♣ 89
Three ♠ AQ9843♥AJ5
♦KQ3 ♣ 8
The system works like this- Partner opens 1NT - you bid 2 ♣ which asks Partner -
have you got 3 Clubs to an Honour (top 3) or any 4 cards in Clubs
Partner bids 2NT with a
Positive reply and 3 ♣
to give a Negative
With One you would Pass 3 ♣ or convert 2NT to 3 ♣ -
Effectively a weak transfer
With Two you would Pass the 3 ♣ but after a 2NT positive you can take a reasonable
punt at 3NT without "hoping" for a Club fit.
With Three After a negative reply you just bid 3NT but after a positive you know you have face
reasonable, not certain, prospects of a Slam. You can now cue-bid or use Ace asking , whatever your style.
If you have similar hands with Diamonds you ask with 2NT and Partner bids 3 ♣
as positive and 3♦ as negative and you take it from there.