Lebensohl

Rev: June 5, 2000

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Used When:

The enemy overcalls 1NT
Partner doubles enemy weak two-bid (some pairs don't play Lebensohl here)
Partner makes a reverse bid (some pairs don't play Lebensohl here)

1. When Enemy Overcalls 1NT

A 2NT bid by responder is a relay to 3C . Most of the time responder usually has a weak, one-suited hand. The 1NT bidder must relay to 3C , which responder can then pass with clubs or correct. As a result of using this convention, a direct new suit bid by responder at the two or three level has specific meaning.

Responders Strength Defined:

Weak: 0 –7 distributional points (DP)
Invitational: 7 – 9 DP
Game-Going: 10+ DP

These types or hands are shown by the following bids:

1. You Have a Weak Hand: (7 or less DP)

	Any 2-level bid.
	If a 2-level bid isn’t available, bid 2NT for a 3C relay then pass (having clubs) or correct to a suit.

2. You Have an Invitational Hand: (7 – 9 DP)

	Any 3-level, non-jump bid.
	Bidding 2NT, then bidding a suit that could have been bid at the 2-level (delayed 3-level bid).

3. You Have a Game-Going Hand: (10+ DP)

Any direct jump bid at the 3-level.

Cue bid opponent’s suit (Stayman) - Direct and Delayed.

Direct cue - denies a stopper: [ 1NT 2H 3H ..... This is a Stayman bid, denying a heart guard (with 4-card spade suit).

Delayed cue - promises a stopper : [ 1NT 2H 2NT Pass ] : [ 3C Pass 3H ..... This is a Stayman bid, promising a heart guard (with 4-card spade suit).

Bidding 3NT (direct and indirect 3NT)

Direct 3NT - denies a stopper: [ 1NT 2S 3NT ..... This denies a spade stopper.

Delayed 3NT - promises a stopper: [ 1NT 2S 2NT Pass ] : [ 3C Pass 3NT ..... This promises a spade stopper.

Note:

Doubling the enemy's overcall - this is a penalty double
Enemy doubles opener's 1NT (or 2NT) - systems are ON

2. When Partner Doubles Enemy's Weak Two-Bid

2.1 Simplified (Preferred)

This is somewhat simplified over the standard Lebensohl method. Hands fall into three categories:

Weak: less than 6 HCP
Constructive: good 6 – 9 HCP
Game-Going: good 10 HCP or greater

These types of hands are shown by the following bids:

2.1.1 You Have a Weak Hand: (less than 6 HCP)

	Any 2-level bid.
	If a 2-level bid isn’t available, bid 2NT for a 3C relay then pass (having clubs) or correct to a suit.

2.1.2 You Have a Constructive Hand: (6 - 9 HCP)

	Any 3-level, non-jump bid.
	Bidding 2NT, then bidding a suit that could have been bid at the 2-level

2.1.3 Game-Going: (10 HCP or more)

	Any jump bid at the 3-level.
	If a jump bid is not available, cue bid opponent’s suit.

Advancer Bids With a Big Hand

If advancer has a huge hand, he will refuse the 3C relay bid after partner’s 2NT bid.

Examples: The bidding goes: [ 2S Dlb Pass 2NT .....

	AT AKQ AKQJ8 T97 ..... Refuse the relay to clubs and bid 3NT
	T6 AKQ5 AKQJ6 AT ..... Refuse the relay to clubs and call 3S. If partner has a stop he bids 3NT, otherwise he calls his suit.
	7 AKT9 AKT875 Q8 ..... Refuse the relay to clubs and call 3D. Partner calls his suit and if it is hearts advancer raises to game, if it is clubs advancer rebids diamonds.

2.2 Regular (Not Preferred)

	Any 3-level direct bid by the advancer (either jump or not) shows a good hand (10+ points).
	Any 2-level direct bid by the advancer shows a bad hand (less than 6 points).
	If the advancer bids 2NT and then bids his suit, but bypasses a direct 2-level suit response, he shows an intermediate hand with 6-9 points.
	If the advancer bids 2NT and then bids his suit, but did not bypasses a direct 2-level suit response, he shows a hand with 0-9 points.

3. When Partner Reverses

When opener reverses (17+ points and is forcing) and responder has a weak hand, responder bids 2NT to warn opener of extreme weakness.

The bidding goes: [ 1D Pass 1S Pass ] : [ 2H Pass ??

	2NT = Lebensohl and shows extreme weakness. Opener must relay to 3C and responder then makes a preference to 3D or 3H.
	3D or 3H = Positive calls committing to game.