Leeds Bridge Club Trust

LEBENSOHL  (In response to partners Take out double of a weak 2)

2H – X – P – Pass (converted to penalty double)

2S (weak 0-7 points)

3C/3D (At least 4 cards and about 8-11 points)

3H (Game forcing with 4 spades and no H stop)

3S (Game forcing with 5 spades)

3NT (No H stop and not 4 Spades, i.e minor suit orientated hand

with values for game)

  2NT Lebensohl (forces partner to bid 3C unless very strong/shapely when

they can bid a suit naturally or 3NT)

 

So: 2H – X – P – 2NT

P – 3C (forced) – P – Pass (weak with clubs)

3D (weak with D)

3H (4 Spades and H stop)

3S (Invitational with Spades )

3NT (H stop but not 4S , values may be a bit shaded

as have no natural 2NT available)

 

A simple way to remember these sequences is FADS (Fast Arrival Denies Stop).

i.e. going through Lebensohl always shows a stop.

 

Over 2S – X – P – 3C/3D/3H are all values (8-11), cue bid is 4H but no stop,

2NT Lebensohl.

Similarly after Lebensohl, 3D/3H are weak, 3S is 4H and spade stop and 3NT is S stop but not 4H.

If you have a hand that would like to have bid 2NT but without the sort of trump holding to pass for penalties, then just go to 3NT via the appropriate route above.

LEBENSOHL (After intervention of our 1NT opener)

If opponents overcall with a natural 2H or2S, then the above apply again.

1NT -2H – X usually played as a penalty double (but could be played as take out)

2S (weak with 5 spades)

2NT Lebensohl (Forces 3C from opener)

3C/3D/3S (Natural and forcing to game with 5+ suits)

3H (4S and no H stop, game values)

3NT (No H stop and not 4 Spades, values for game) Over this, opener passes with a stopper or secondly bids a 5 card major (spades here) or finally investigates a minor suit contract (a cue bid would be game going with equal length in minors, and a simple 4C/4D would just be a minimum NT opener)

 

1NT – 2H – 2NT – P – 3C – P – Pass (competitive with clubs)

3D (competing with D, up to invitational values)

3H ( 4 spades and H stop)

3S (Invitational with Spades)

3NT (H stop but not 4S)

 

Similarly after 2S overcall: X Usually penalties (but could be played as take out)

2NT (Lebensohl)

3C/3D/3H are all natural and game forcing

3S (4 Hearts and no S stop, game values)

3NT (No S stop and not 4 Hearts) Over this, opener passes with a stopper or secondly bids a 5 card major (hearts here) or finally investigates a minor suit contract (a cue bid would be game going with equal length in minors, and a simple 4C/4D would just be a minimum NT opener)

 

After Lebensohl 2NT and the forced 3C: Pass (competitive with Clubs)

3D/3H (competitive/Invitational)

3S (4Hearts and spade stop)

3NT (S stop but not 4H)

 

Dealing with a natural 2C/2D overcall of 1NT.

Here a simple method is just to play a cue bid as Stayman with values for game and no stop. A double as either penalty or take out. Going through lebensohl and cue bidding is Stayman showing a stop.

 

Dealing with Artificial overcalls of 1NT

1.

In the case that the artificial overcall shows two identifiable suits (for example, 2C showing the majors), then the cheaper cuebid (here it would be 2H) is game invitational. The higher cuebid (here it would be 2S) is then game-forcing. Stops can then be bid up the line.

2.

In the case that the artificial overcall shows only one identifiable suit (for example Astro/Asptro), then the known suit can be used for the cuebid, here suggesting minors and either game forcing or invitational depending on agreement. 2NT would be lebensohl and would treat the overcall as natural in the known suit, so that all hands with the other major and stops/no stops can be shown.

3.

Any double after an artificial overcall is considered to be natural and indicates defensive values in that suit, usually 9 points or more (opposite a weak NT).

 

In all these situations, lebensohl can still apply and suit bids remain the same. So 3 level bids are natural and forcing, cue bids of known majors are 4 of other major etc.

 

Eg. 1NT – 2C(Asptro, showing H and another) – Double, clubs and defensive values

2D weak to play

2H cue bid (depends on agreement)

2S weak to play

2NT lebensohl

3C/3D/3S natural and forcing

3H 4S and no H stop

 

These agreements can stretch to all sorts of situations in a competitive auction.

 

EG: 1S(opposition) -1NT(Overcall, partner) – 2S(opposition) – This would now be a lebensohl situation, as if partner had effectively opened a strong NT and there had been a 2S intervention.

 

1S (opposition) –P(you) -2S(opposition)- X (Partner)-P – lebensohl could be used here, with 3 level bids showing values and going through 2NT to show weak hands and all the stop showing/4 of other major bids applying.

 

1NT(opposition) –X(partner) – 2H/2S(Opposition) – lebensohl could be used here, assuming that partner has a balanced 16-18 type hand (the most common type). Remember partner does not have to bid 3C over your 2NT with a very good or shapely hand.