I have been asked to put something on this here.
This is something I did previously.
The motto for lebenshol 1 is 'direct denies, slow shows' - the meaning of this will become clear.
In our example the bidding has opened 1nt and it has been overcalled a natural 2
. (We will come back to a natural overcall of 2
because lots recommend adjusting the rules for Lebensohl for this bid)
Let's define all the rules for lebensohl.
1. 1nt-2-x. All doubles are for penalty.
Responder knows everything they need to - it is far better to have the penalty option available than using double as 'stolen bid'.
2. 1nt-2-2
. Overcalls at the 2-level are to play.
With a weak hand and long suit you want to compete.
3. 1nt-2-2nt!-p-3-p-?. 2nt is lebensohl - partner must bid 3 in response.
There are four uses for lebensohl which will be set out in nos. 4,5,6 and 7.
4. 1nt-2-2nt!-p-3-p----p or 3
.
Passing 3
or bidding a suit
lower than the opps suit shows a weak hand with a long suit. Very often after interference you will have a long suit and not many hcps. You want to play in this suit or at least compete to the 3 level in this suit. Note that bidding a suit at the 3 level directly (without going through lebensohl) is forcing (see no8 below). This sequence has the further advantage of making the strong hand declarer if the long suit is clubs.
A cue bid of their suit after going through lebensohl promises a stopper and 4 spades (compare this to No 9 below). Note that the cue bid is always stayman - eg if the opps bid a natural 2
. This is an example of a 'slow show' (you went through lebenshol first 'slowly' to show your stopper).
Going through lebenshol and bidding a suit higher than the opps suit invites game in spades. Compare this to No 8 below.
7. 1nt-2-2nt!-p-3-p----3nt
Going through lebensohl and bidding 3nt shows game values and a stopper in the opps suit - another example of a slow show...going through lebenshol (= slow) shows a stopper. Compare this to No 10 below.
8. 1nt-2----3 or 3 or 3 Freely bidding a suit at the 3 level is FORCING. Compare this to the weak hand and invite hands in nos 4 and 6 above.
9. 1nt-2-3
Immediately cue bidding their suit is stayman and denying a stopper. (Going directly denies). Compare this to No 5 above.
10. 1nt-2-3nt
Bidding 3nt directly denies a stopper in the opps suit. Compare this to 7 above.
So in summary, after the opps interfere with a natural 2 level overcall :-
- All doubles are penalty
- 2 level overcalls are to play.
- Bidding freely at the 3 level (without going through lebenshol) is forcing
- Direct denies a stopper - going through lebenshol slowly promises a stopper
- Lebenshol can be used for weak hands with a long suit, for game invite hands and to show game values and a stopper
I will add extra posts on capp and brozel etcetera interference, and some options when the opps interfere with 2.
I might move this thread to the main board...but feel safer here for now. The next post will be a quiz on what's been covered so far.
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