Any time you see the description "artificial" in front of a bid, it means that the suit being named is not necessarily a suit that the bidder possesses.

For example, if the auction begins: 1NT-2 by a partnership, the 2 bid is Stayman. What is the definition of 2? It is artificial (there's that word) and inquiring about opener's majors. Does it show clubs? Does it say anything about clubs? Of course not. The Conventional response to notrump to ask about majors Stayman bidder might have a VOID in clubs! He might have 6 cards in clubs. Probably something in-between. The point is that the bid is When a suit is bid but says nothing about the holding in that suit artificial because even though the bidder is naming CLUBS with his bid, he is not attempting to make clubs trump and is saying nothing about his number of clubs.

Even a double can be artificial. For example, many players use a double of a strong 1NT opening to say "I have a 1-suited hand." This would be considered When a suit is bid but says nothing about the holding in that suit artificial (as opposed to a traditional penalty double of 1NT). A Opener's double to show 3-card support support double is another type of When a suit is bid but says nothing about the holding in that suit artificial double.

There are many When a suit is bid but says nothing about the holding in that suit artificial bids in bridge. Aside from Stayman, other common ones are Jacoby Transfers and the response to 4NT A 4NT bid to ask for aces (or in RKC, keycards) Blackwood -- such as 5 to show 2 aces. Obviously, that bid says nothing about wanting to make hearts the trump suit, so it is artificial.

Most conventions employ the use of When a suit is bid but says nothing about the holding in that suit artificial bids and require good memory by both partners. Doubles of such bids are typically lead-directing.

With the exception of Stayman, most When a suit is bid but says nothing about the holding in that suit artificial bids need to be either alerted or announced. Even Keycard A 4NT bid to ask for aces (or in RKC, keycards) Blackwood gets "alerted", although that particular alert happens AFTER the end of the auction. This is sometimes called a "slow alert".

Last updated: December 2020