|
Lebensohl is used when opponents
intervene with a natural overcall over partner's 1 NT
opening.
It's purpose is to differentiate between weak competitive
hands, intermediate hands and strong hands.
Responses to Lebensohl use an artificial 2NT relay bid.
The general scheme is:
1. 2 level bids are merely competitive,
2. 3 level bids are forcing,
3. 3 level cue bids are Staymanic with no stopper in the
overcalled suit,
4. 3 NT shows game values but no stop in the overcalled suit
and no four card major.
5. 2NT is used as an artificial relay. Opener must
rebid 3 .
Responder can pass,
or correct by bidding a suit below the overcalled suit,
or invite by bidding a suit above the overcalled suit,
or cue bid,
or bid 3NT. Similar meaning as above but promising a stop in the
overcalled suit.
LEBENSOHL OVER PARTNER'S
1NT
|
After a natural diamond overcall (Similar for
clubs) |
|
Open |
Overcall |
Respond |
Meaning |
|
1NT |
2 |
Double |
PENALTY |
|
|
|
2 /2 |
five card suit, to
play. (NON-FORCING) |
|
|
|
1NT |
2 |
2NT |
RELAY, asks opener to bid 3.
(Responder can pass with weak club suit).
|
|
Opener rebids 3
clubs |
|
|
3 |
pass |
3 |
Game force, Stayman,
with a
diamond stop. |
|
|
|
3/3 |
Five cards with a diamond stop. (Can be
treated as merely invitational or forcing) |
|
|
|
3NT |
Game bid, with a diamond stop. No major. |
|
|
|
1NT |
2 |
3 |
Game force, showing
a good club suit, no major, no diamond
stop. |
|
|
|
3 |
Game force, Stayman,
no diamond stop. |
|
|
|
3/3 |
Game force, five
cards, no diamond stop |
|
|
|
3NT |
Game bid, no four card major,
no diamond stop. |
|
|
|
After a natural heart overcall. (Similar for
spades) |
|
Open |
Overcall |
Respond |
Meaning |
|
1NT |
2 |
Double |
PENALTY |
|
|
|
2 |
five card suit, to
play. |
|
|
|
1NT |
2 |
2NT |
RELAY, asks opener to bid 3.
(Responder can pass with weak club suit).
|
|
Opener rebids 3
clubs |
|
|
|
|
3 |
Non-forcing, to play. |
|
|
|
3 |
Game force, Stayman, with a heart stop. |
|
|
|
3 |
Five spades with a heart stop.
(Can be treated as merely invitational or
forcing) |
|
|
|
3NT |
game force,
fewer than four spades, with heart stopper |
|
|
|
1NT |
2 |
3/3 |
Game force, suit, no
major, no diamond stop. |
|
|
|
3 |
Game force, Stayman, no heart stopper |
|
|
|
3 |
Game force, 5+ card
spades, no heart stopper |
|
|
|
3NT |
Game force, less
than 4 card spades, no heart stopper |
|
If opponent's use a
conventional overcall, assume the anchor suit
for your bids. |
LEBENSOHL OVER WEAK TWOS
|
N |
E |
W |
|
|
2 |
Dbl |
|
Opening hand or
better; may not have 4 card spades |
|
|
|
2 |
5 card suit, to play
|
|
|
|
2NT |
Asks doubler to bid
3.
Responder will then pass or bid suit ( 0-7 pts ) |
|
|
After doubler rebids
3,
responder can force as follows: |
|
|
|
|
3: game force, 4
card spades, heart stopper |
|
|
|
|
3: 5+ card spades
(partner bids 3N or 4) |
|
|
|
|
3NT: Game force, less
than 4 spades, heart stopper |
|
|
|
2 |
Dbl |
3/ |
7-11 pts, 5+ card
suit |
|
|
|
3 |
Game force, 4 card
spades, no heart stopper |
|
|
|
3 |
Game force, 5+ card
spades |
|
|
|
3NT |
Game force, less
than 4 spades, no heart stopper |
|
|
With a strong hand,
the east will bid something other than 3
over west's 2NT |
|
