Heart'nSohl
This convention derives its name from the fact that it invites game in the Heart suit only, and only in this particular Standard American auction: 1♠:1NT:2♥.
1NT is, of course, not forcing, showing 6-9 points, while denying support for Opener's Spades.
Let us say that Responder has 8-9 points and 4+ Hearts.
A 4♥ game will often depend upon where Responder has hir
points.
Major-suit HCPs in Responder's hand will always be welcome.
Playing Heart'nSohl, Responder will show a Responding hand with Major-suit strength in "the old fashioned way", via a direct raise:
1♠:1NT:2♥:3♥ = Mostly Major-suit values.
But, Minor-suit honours in Responder's hand may or may not be so well received by Opener, depending upon whether they are in Opener's fragment (e.g., 3-card minor) or short minor.
x
Q x x x
K Q J x x
x x x
Game will be much easier, if Opener's 3-card minor is Diamonds than Clubs !
J x
Q J x x x
x x x
K J x
Here, one might hope that Opener's residual minor is Clubs, with a shortness in Diamonds.
Therefore, it becomes important for Responder to show where hir values are en route to 3♥. But, we must retain the natural and non-forcing meaning of a 3♣ or 3♦ (e.g., 1♠:1NT:2♥:3♦) bid here. What we do NOT need, though, is a 2NT rebid; lacking even secondary support for either major, Responder should be bidding a long Minor here.
With 2NT available for a "Lebensohlish" purpose,
we use 2NT to force 3♣ from Opener.
Responder then
rebids 3♦ with strength in Diamonds, 3♥ with strength in Clubs.
Like 2NT itself, 3♦ and 3♥ by Responder both
promise primary Heart support.
Opener is then in a good
position to judge the value of Reponder's minor-suit
cards before committing to 4♥.
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