Lebensohl variations
The basic Lebensohl convention is used after opponents overcall an opening 1NT bid. The primary purpose is to
be sure you don't get to 3NT without a stopper in the opponents suit, using a 2NT bid as a relay to 3C. Further
bidding gets you to the right contract, or at least keeps you out of 3NT with no stopper in their suit. This convention
is far superior to the "Shadow Double" or "He stole my bid" approach, which ignores the question
of a stopper in their suit entirely. Lebensohl is covered quite thoroughly in the authoritative Andover Standard,
which can be accessed from my Web Site.
The idea of using an artificial 2NT bid as a relay to 3C can also be used in several bidding sequences to slow
down a strong partner when you have a weak hand. Three examples are given below.
1. After Partner Makes a Take-out Double
After partner makes a takeout double and Responder raises the opening bid to the 2 level, you no longer have to
bid. If you have a bad hand with a long suit which you would have to bid at the three level, it would be desirable
to be able to do so without encouraging partner to bid any further. In such situations, a bid of 2NT is artificial
and shows a weak hand with a long suit. Partner must bid an artificial 3C. You may then bid your long suit (or
pass with a club suit), which partner will then pass.
2. After a Take-out Double of a Weak Two Bid
With less than 7 HCP, Responder bids at the 2 level if possible. Otherwise, he bids 2NT (Lebensohl), requiring
doubler to bid 3C and then pass any correction. Doubler may, of course, bid on with a strong hand, knowing partner
has fewer than 7 points. If partner uses Lebensohl and then corrects to a suit that he could have bid at the 2
level, this shows good values but not quite enough to have made an initial jump to the three level.
3. Reverse Rebids by Opener
If Opener's rebid is at the two level (or higher) in a higher ranking suit than his original bid, this is called
a Reverse. It shows at least 16 HCP, promises that his first suit is longer than his second suit, and is forcing
for one round at least. If responder has less than 9 HCP, he knows that game may not be there. He shows this by
making an artificial bid of 2NT (Lebensohl). With a hand strong enough to force to game opposite a minimum, Opener
rebids normally (which is game forcing). With a minimum reverse bid, Opener must rebid an artificial 3C (or rebid
his original suit if it is long and strong). Responder then bids normally from then on.
These additional uses of Lebensohl are also covered in Andover Standard.
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