Lebensohl After Opponent’s

Weak-Two Opening- part 1

A Very Useful Convention

 Introduction
• I have discussed Lebensohl as a conventional
response when opponents interfere over
partner’s one-no-trump opening bid.
• We will examine how the convention is used after
partner makes a takeout double of an opponent’s
weak-two opening bid.
• It will take us two weeks to cover this convention
fully.
• However, you will learn enough in this first lesson
to begin using the convention.
 Imagine This Auction
North East South West West is forced to bid. Here are
2♠ dble pass 3♥ two possible hands:
pass Hand 1
East’s hand ♠9653
♠42 ♥K873
♥AQJ5 (17 points) ♦982
♦KQ53 ♣73
♣ A J 10 Hand 2
♠9653
Hand 1: lucky to make 3♥. ♥K873
Hand 2: really good chance to ♦A8 2
make 4♥. ♣Q3
How will you know?
 The Basics of the Convention
• After a weak-two opening by LHO, a double by
your partner and a pass by RHO…
– Any 2-level suit bid = 0-8 points, to play unless partner
has a very strong hand.
– A direct, 3-level bid (jump or non-jump) 9-12 points.
{game invitational]
– A 4-level bid of an unbid major suit is to play, without
slam interest.
– A 5-level bid of an unbid minor is to play, without slam
interest.
– A direct cue bid of the opponent’s suit is game forcing
and shows slam interest.
 More Basics
• After a weak-two opening by LHO, a double by
your partner and a pass by RHO…
– 2 no trump is conventional, alertable, a relay,
requiring partner to bid 3♣.
– Shows 0-8 points and a desire to play a suit at the
3-level, below the rank of the opponent’s suit.
– There are some optional refinements - see next
slide.
 Optional Refinements After the Relay
North East South West (you)
2♥ dble pass 2nt
pass 3♣ pass 3♠
• Shows a 9-11 with 4 spades.
• A direct jump (passing up the relay) shows 9-11 with 5+
spades.
• After the relay, a bid of 3nt is to play but shows a single
stopper in the opponent’s suit.
– Expressing some doubt about the no trump.
• A direct jump to 3 no trump shows a double stopper.
 Let’s Look at Some Examples
• For all the following examples, you will be
west, and the bidding will be.
North East South West
2♥ dble pass ??
 Example 1
West’s hand • Your bid 2♠
♠A965 • Any 2-level bid is to
♥873 (7 points) play.
♦K842 • Shows 0-8 points.
♣73
 Example 2
West’s hand • Your bid 2 nt
♠J65 • Partner will bid 3♣.
♥873 (3 points) • You will pass.
♦42
♣Q9753
 Example 3
West’s hand • Your bid 3♦.
♠A65 • Constructive 9-12
♥873 (10 points) points.
♦ A J 10 5 • Partner can pass.
♣J97
• Bid 3nt – you will pass.
• Bid 3♠, you will raise to
4♠.
 Example 4
West’s hand • Your bid 2 nt.
♠65 • Partner will bid 3♣.
♥ 8 7 5 3 (4 points) • You will bid 3♦.
♦Q965
• Partner will pass
♣Q97
• All you can do is hope
for the best.
• This is why they
preempt.
 Example 5
West’s hand • Your bid 3♠.
♠A9653 • Natural and invitational,
♥853 (9 points) with a 5-card suit.
♦Q95
♣K7
 Example 6
West’s hand • Your bid 2nt.
♠AJ65 • Partner bids 3♣.
♥853 (10 points) • You bid 3♠.
♦Q952
• Same invitation, but
♣K7
with a 4-card suit.
• Note with a 0-8 points,
you would have bid 2♠.
 Example 7
West’s hand • Your bid 2nt.
♠A5 • Partner bids 3♣.
♥ Q 9 6 5 3 (8 points) • You will pass.
♦52
• This hand is not good
♣Q742
enough to pass
partner’s double for
penalty.
 Example 8
West’s hand • Your bid Pass.
♠75 • You have only 6 points.
♥ Q J 10 5 3 (6 points) • Your heart suit is strong
♦52 enough to turn
♣K742 partner’s takeout
double into a penalty
double.
 Example 9
West’s hand • Your bid 2♠.
♠QJ75 • It looks like you have 9
♥Q3 (9 points) points.
♦K52 • You might think you
♣J742 should make an
invitational bid.
• But 2 of your points are
the queen of hearts.
• Surely, useless points.
 Example 10
West’s hand • Your bid 3♥.
♠A975 • Your cue bid is forcing
♥83 (14 points) to game.
♦KQ52 • You might just bid 4♠.
♣AJ2
• Your hand is good
enough that you might
have a slam.
• Show partner that you
have a really good
hand.
 Example 11
West’s hand • Your bid 4♠.
♠KQJ975 • You have enough for
♥832 (9 points) game.
♦K52 • Your hand is not good
♣8 enough to consider
slam, unless partner
makes the first step.
 Example 12
West’s hand • Your bid 3♥.
♠A5 • Show your partner that
♥2 (15 points) you have slam interest.
♦KQ952 • You will probably play 6
♣AQ863 of one of the minors.
 Example 13
West’s hand • Your bid 2 nt.
♠Q5 • Partner will bid 3♣.
♥ A 10 3 (15 points) • You will bid 3nt.
♦KQ95
• Going through the relay
♣A863
shows partner that you
have a single stopper.
• You are not sure you can
handle the heart suit.
• Partner will need some
help in hearts (Q x).
 Example 14
West’s hand • Your bid 3 nt.
♠AJ5 • A direct 3nt bid shows
♥ Q J 9 8 (12 points) a sure double stopper
♦Q95 and enough points for
♣K63 game.
 Final Thoughts
• I’ve show you the basics of the system.
• Next week I will look at what to do if the
opponents compete further.