RainBow Series – Lesson IX



Lebensohl


      Many people ask:

"What's so great about Lebensohl ?   Why do so many experts insist on teaching us Lebensohl rather than any of the other conventions that exist ?"
      The reason, quite simply, is that other conventions are helpful and interesting; while Lebensohl is necessary
      Indeed, it is part of the 2-over-1.OK convention card, and should have been part of the SA-YC.OK card.  Because it isn't, you will have to ask any new prospective SAYC partner if they, too, play Lebensohl.
      By using an artificial bid of 2NT, Lebensohlers can distinguish between bad hands and good ones, or between hands that do have a guard in the opponents' suit from hands that do not

      The Lebensohl 2NT comes up in many instances.

      Case (1):   The first is when the opponents have overcalled our partner's 1NT opening with 2-of-a-suit (e.g., 1NT-2-2NT is Lebensohl).  1NT Opener is forced to bid 3.  Then Responder can Pass with a weakish (i.e., "competing") hand that includes long Clubs or correct to any suit BELOW the Overcaller's suit. 
      In this way, Responder can compete without getting 1NT Opener too excited. 
Responder: x x Q J x x x K x x x x x

WestNorthEastSouth
1NT22NTPass   2NT = Lebensohl.
3Pass3  – Competing the partscore.
  Advancer is NOT inviting 4

      In standard Lebensohl, a free bid by Responder at the 3-level without prefacing it with the 2NT bid (e.g., 1NT-2-3) becomes Forcing.

Responder: A x K Q x x x K x x J x x

WestNorthEastSouth
1NT23  – FORCING.  10+ HCPs.

      With stronger hands, the 2NT-force to 3 can be used to distinguish hands that do have a guard in the opponents' suit from those that don't
      For example, 2NT followed by 3NT promises a stopper in the opponents' suit, while a jump to 3NT (e.g., 1NT-2-3NT) denies any such guard. 
      Similarly, 2NT followed by a cuebid shows a stopper, while a direct cuebid (e.g., 1NT-2-3) denies one. 
      In this way, "Slow Shows", while "Direct Denies".
      In other words, the slower 2NT followed by a cuebid or 3NT (e.g., 1NT-2-2NT-Pass-3-Pass-3NT) shows a stopper, while the faster 1NT-2-3NT denies one. 

      Remember: Slow Shows, Direct Denies
Responder: Q x x x A J x x x x A x x
Opener Overcaller Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
1NT 2D 3D Denies a Diamond guard.  "Major ?"

Responder: Q x x x A J x x A x x x x
Opener Overcaller Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
1NT 2D 2NT Pass
3C Pass 3D Shows a Diamond stopper.  "Major ?"

Responder: x x A J x K Q x x Q x x x
Opener Overcaller Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
1NT 2S 3NT Denies a Spade stopper. 

Responder: Q J x A J x K Q x x 10 x x x
Opener Overcaller Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
1NT 2S 2NT Pass
3C Pass 3NT Shows a Spade guard. 

      In this way, 1NT Opener can predicate subsequent action based upon knowledge of Responder's strength in the opponents' suit.  Note: Many pairs play Lebensohl only after interference over their 1NT openings. 

      A bid of a suit higher than overcaller's (i.e., a suit which Responder could have bid at the 2-level) is
      forcing if a jump,
      invitational if prefaced by the 2NT relay to 3

Responder: x x x K J x x x K x x x J x
Opener Overcaller Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
1NT 2C 2NT Pass
3C Pass 3H This invites game. 

Responder: A x x K J x x x K x x x J x
Opener Overcaller Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
1NT 2C 3H This forces game. 

     

---- Case (2): Lebensohl Against Weak 2-bids ----

      The second instance where Lebensohl is common is over Partner's double of their weak 2-bid (e.g., 2-Dble-P- ??). 
      Here, 2NT asks the doubler to bid 3, allowing partner ("Advancer") to Pass (with a weak hand and Club length) or correct to any suit below Overcaller's.  A direct 3-over-2 response by Advancer shows a slightly better hand (8-11 HCPs) but, unlike opposite a 1NT Opener, is not forcing.

Advancer: x x x x x 10 x x x x x x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
2H Double Pass 2NT Asks Doubler to bid 3C.
Pass 3C Pass 3D Weakish hand with Diamonds. 

Advancer: K x x x x K Q x x x x x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
2S Double Pass 3D 9-12 points.  Not forcing. 

      Again, strong Advancer who is interested in playing in a 4-4 major suit fit may cuebid directly without a stopper, while preferring 2NT followed by a cuebid when Advancer does have a stopper (in case 3NT is the correct place after all).

Advancer: Q J x A J x x K x x x x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
2S Double Pass 2NT Forces 3C.
Pass 3C Pass 3S "4H, pard ?
3NT perhaps ?"

Advancer: x A J x x K x x x A x x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
2S Double Pass 3S "4H ?   4C or 4D,
maybe ?"

      Consistent with the "SLOW SHOWS" theme, if Advancer bids 2NT followed by 3NT, s/he wants to play in 3NT and is interested in a slam (if Doubler is maximal).  A jump to 3NT directly over the double denies slam interest.  Both 3NT bids by Advancer are natural ("to play"), promising a guard in the opponents' long suit. 
Advancer: A J x K x K Q x x Q J x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
2S Double Pass 2NT Asks Doubler to bid 3C.
Pass 3C Pass 3NT 14-17 HCPs, slam interest. 

Advancer: A J x K x Q J x x J x x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
2S Double Pass 3NT 11-13 HCPs,
NO slam interest.

      Similar rules are in effect, if Responder raises the opening bid and Doubler is forced to double again.
Advancer: x x Q J x x x x K x x x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
1H Double 2H Pass Usually 0-7 points. 
Pass Double Pass 3C Clubs.  5-7 points. 

Advancer: x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
1H Double 2H Pass Usually 0-7 points. 
Pass Double Pass 2NT Asks Doubler to bid 3C.
Pass 3C Pass Pass Clubs.  0-4 points. 

     

---- Case(3): Extending Lebensohl ----

      Many pairs agree that if Opener's major-suit opening is raised after Partner has doubled, Lebensohl is in effect.
Advancer: x x Q J x x K x x x Q x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
1S Double 2S 2NT Asks Doubler to bid 3C.
Pass 3C Pass 3H Hearts, 8-9 points. 

Advancer: x x Q J x x K x x x A J x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
1S Double 2S 3H Hearts.  10-12 points. 

Advancer: x x Q J x K x x x x Q x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
1H Double 2H 2NT Asks Doubler to bid 3C.
Pass 3C Pass 3D Diamonds.  8-9 points. 

     

---- Case(4): Lebensohl Over Opener's Reverse ----

      Some long-standing partnerships "extend" Lebensohl to cover reverses:
Responder: Q J x x x x x x x Q J x x
Opener RHO Responder LHO Explanation of Action
1D Pass 1S Pass
2H Pass 2NT Pass
3C Pass 3D A weak signoff
in Diamonds.

Responder: A J x x x x Q x x Q x x x
Opener RHO Responder LHO Explanation of Action
1D Pass 1S Pass
2H Pass 3D Good hand
supporting Diamonds.

     

Actions by a Strong Doubler or Reverser over 2NT

      In the case of the 1NT Opener, 2NT will always fetch a 3 rebid by Opener.  This will allow Responder to Pass 3 with length in Clubs and a poorish hand. 
Opener: A J x x K Q x A J x x K x
Responder: x x J x x Q x Q J x x x x
Advancer Opener Overcaller Responder Explanation of Action
1NT 2H 2NT Forces 3C.
Pass 3C Pass Pass Weakish, with Clubs. 

      With little hope of game opposite what Advancer has shown, the partner who made a takeout double will also "co-operate" with the 2NT-force to 3.
Doubler: A K x x x A J x x A x x x
Advancer: x x J x x Q x x Q x x x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
2H Double Pass 2NT Forces 3C.
Pass 3C Willing to play in 3C.

      A much stronger Doubler, with visions of game, may refuse to bid 3 over Advancer's 2NT, and make a cuebid of the opponents' suit (game-forcing) or any natural bid instead of 3.
Doubler: A K Q x A K Q x x A K J x
Advancer: x x x J x x Q x x Q x x x
Opener Doubler Responder Advancer Explanation of Action
2H Double Pass 2NT Forces 3C.
Pass 3H Game forcing.

      The same is true of a Reverser who hears Partner try to sign off with a Lebensohl 2NT transfer to 3.  Again, most Reverser's will co-operate and rebid 3.  But a very strong Reverser may force game with any rebid higher than 3
Opener: 10 A K Q x A x A K x x x x
Responder: Q J x x J x Q x x x x x x
Opponent Opener Opponent Responder Explanation of Action
Pass 1C Pass 1S
Pass 2H Pass 2NT Hoping to stop in 3C.
Pass 3NT Too strong to bid 3C.

     

---- Discussing Lebensohl with Partner ----

      This, however, is not part of "standard" Lebensohl, and would have to be discussed beforehand

      "Partner," you might ask after establishing that you play Lebensohl,

"do we play it after a reverse ?
How about over a double of their weak 2's ?
If so, do you also play it over 1-X-2 and 1-X-2 ?"

     

----- Quiz -----

      1.  Partner opens 1NT and RHO overcalls 2.  Your bid with:
Responder A: K J x x x K x x x x x x x
Responder B: K Q x x x K x x x x J x x
Responder C: K Q x x A J x x x J x x x
Responder D: x x x x x J x x K Q J x x
Responder E: K x x x x A Q J x Q x x x
Responder F: A x x x A Q J x x K x x x

      2. You open 1NT with:

A Q x    K J x x    x x    A Q x x

      What do you rebid after these auctions:

Auction Opener Doubler Responder Advancer
Auction A: 1NT 2D 2NT Pass
Auction B: 1NT 2D 2NT Pass
3C Pass 3S Pass
Auction C: 1NT 2D 3NT Pass
Auction D: 1NT 2D 3S Pass
Auction E: 1NT 2D 3D Pass
3H Pass 3NT Pass

      3.  You play Lebensohl over 1-Dble-2.  Your bid with:
Advancer A: K J x x x x x Q x x x x x
Advancer B: J x x A Q x K Q x Q 10 x x
Advancer C: x x x x K x x x K J x x x
Advancer D: x x x x A x x x A J 10 x x

      4.  You play Lebensohl over reverses.  The auction goes:

Opener RHO Responder LHO
1C Pass 1S Pass
2H Pass
Your rebid with:

Responder A: K 10 x x x x K x x 10 x x x
Responder B: A 10 x x x x K x x J x x x


RAINBOW Series

The Rainbow Series, from 10:00 A.M.  to 12:30 PST, every weekday, is a lecture program on the SAYC system, from Opening Bids all the way through to the conventional aspects of SAYC.  Unlike the FireSide and 5th Chair sessions mentioned above, the Rainbow Series is a semi-private lesson program for our students.  Nevertheless, you are invited to stop by and "eavesdrop" on the discussion from the Spectator's Loft.
 

If you have any questions arising from these notes, or about the Rainbow Lesson Series, please do not hesitate to email me at: cpw@escape.ca

Lesson #1: Opening Bids Lesson #2: Responses to Opening Bids
Lesson #3: Rebidding Strategies Lesson #4: Interference
Lesson #5: OverCalls & Takeout Doubles Lesson #6: Two-Suited Overcalls
Lesson #7: Pre-Empts Lesson #8: Competing with Doubles
Lesson #9: Lebensohl Lesson #10: Defensive Signalling
Lesson #11: Defensive Strategies Lesson #12: Declarer Play



General Rules of SAYC Bidding Fit Inspired Bids – "FIBs"
Doubles Cuebids
IMPs Versus MatchPoints Lebensohl
Hand Evaluation Defensive Signals
Jacoby Transfers Pre-Empts
Jacoby 2NT Response to 1 or 1 Michaels Cuebids
3 Types of Responding Hands Percentages in Bridge
Roman Key Card Blackwood BROZEL over their 1NT
4th Suit Force Assume Jumps Are Raises
Glossary of Terms Colin's Rules of Bridge

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