Re: Smolen & Puppet

> I have been playing Smolen for years and have never played Puppet
although
> I'm familiar with the rudiments.
>
> Am considering adding Puppet but would like to know if there are
conflicts.

If you are talking about 2NT only, you can get the functionality of
both with a bit of juggling:

3C:  Stayman-ish
  3D:  no major, or only 4 spades
    3H:  how many spades?
      3S:  3
      3N:  2
      4S:  4
    3S: puppet to 3NT
    3N: 4=5=x=x
  3H:  4 or 5 hearts, not 4 spades
    3S: bid 3NT with 4, 4H with 5
  3S:  5 spades
  3N:  4-4 majors (with transfer follow-ups)

This is (I think) the structure published by George Rosenkranz, with
the 3S and 3NT continuations after 2NT:3C:3D switched to avoid wrong-
siding the 4=5=x=x hand if opener has 4 spades.  Trash Stayman also
works pretty well here -- you may wind up in 4S after a 3NT rebid, but
pard has spades and you have club shortness.

David