Over 1NT
Invitational is 8-9 HCP
Responder's Bids
- Double -- A double of the opponents' overcall is invitational points and a stopper in the bid suid
- 2♥/♠-- Natural, 5+ cards in the bid suit, non-forcing. Minimum HCP depends on the 1NT range and vulnerability.
- 2NT -- This is the heart of the Lebensohl convention. It is artificial and shows one of the following hand types:
- A one-suited hand that wants to sign off in 3c/d/h/s
- A one-suited hand that wants to invite game
- A Stayman-type hand (at least one 4-card major with game-forcing values) with a stopper in the opponents' suit
- A hand that contains a stopper in the opponents' suit and wants to sign off in 3NT
- 3c/d/h/s -- A new suit (not a cuebid) shows 5+ cards in the bid suit, and is forcing to game. Responder may need to make a jump bid to force game. For example, a 2s bid over an opposing 2d is non-forcing, but a 3s bid would be game-forcing.
- Cuebid of the opponents' suit -- This is used as Stayman, showing at least one 4-card major with game-forcing values. It asks partner to bid a 4-card major suit. It denies a stopper in the opponents' bid suit.
- 3NT -- shows a hand that would have normally bid 3NT in the absence of interference, but denies a stopper in the opponents' suit. Partner is expected to run to a cheaper suit if he/she does not hold a stopper, either.
Opener's Rebids
- After responder bids 2NT and the next opponent passes, opener must rebid 3c
. This is artificial and asks responder to clarify his hand type.
- After responder cue-bids, modified Stayman responses apply:
- If the cue-bid is 3c, then a 3d rebid by opener denies a 4-card major. A 3h rebid shows 4+ hearts (and does not deny 4 spades), while a 3s rebid shows 4+ spades (and denies 4 hearts).
- If the cue-bid is 3d, then opener must rebid 3h/s with a 4-card major, or 3NT without a 4-card major.
- If the cue-bid is 3h, then opener must rebid 3s with 4 spades, or 3NT without a 4-card major.
- If the cue-bid is 3s , then opener must rebid 4h with a 4-card major, or 3NT without a 4-card major.
Responder's Rebids
- Pass - Shows 6+ clubs and less than game-invitational values. This is a signoff bid.
- 3d/h/s - This is either:
- A natural signoff if responder could not have bid the suit at the 2-level. For example, after a 2h overcall of 1NT, a 2NT Lebensohl response followed by a 3d rebid is a signoff.
- A natural invitation to game if responder could have bid the suit at the 2-level. For example, after a 2d overcall of 1NT, a 2NT Lebensohl response followed by a 3h rebid invites game (3NT or 4h). This shows a good 5+ cards in the bid suit with game-invitational values.
- A cuebid of the opponents' suit - Stayman. Unlike a direct cuebid, it promises a stopper in the overcalled suit. If the overcall was in a major suit, then a cuebid asks opener to bid his 4 cards in the other major at the cheapest level. If the opponents have bid a minor, then this asks opener to bid his lowest 4-card major at the cheapest level. In either scenario, opener can rebid 3NT if he does not have a 4-card major.
- 3NT - Natural, to play. Promises a stopper in the opponents' suit.
Over Artificial Interference
Here are some general suggestions if the opponents make an artificial overcall.
RHO shows a two-suiter, but only one suit is known
- RHO may make a DONT 2c bid showing clubs and a higher suit. Or a Cappelletti 2h bid showing hearts and a lower suit. In this case, Lebensohl is on. Bid as if the opponents have only shown one suit.
RHO shows a two-suiter, and both suits are known
- RHO may bid something like a Cappelletti 2d showing hearts and spades. In this case, Lebensohl needs to be modified because a Stayman cuebid is no longer needed. Responder also needs a way to show a stopper in one particular major suit. Over 2d responder can:
- "Cue-bid" 2h to show a heart stopper and interest in no-trumps
- "Cue-bid" 2s to show a spade stopper and interest in no-trumps
- Bid 2NT followed by 3NT to promise stoppers in both suits
- Bid 3NT immediately to deny stoppers in both suits (very unlikely if responder has enough values for game)
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