Lebesohl -3N and Stayman Responses

Hi all,

My last post explained how lebesohl can differentiate invitational versus game forcing hands in a major in response to partner's no-trump opening when the opponents have interfered.  Just a quick reminder that X's remain penalty unless you deem that X of artifical 2C is Stayman. One does not usually play "stolen bid X's" with this treatment. One now has the option of using a direct X  as penalty.


i Lebesohl also has the possibility of differentiating semi balanced hands with a stop in the opponent's suit from those semi-balanced hands that don't have a stop.  Remember, the 2N bid is now used as a relay, not to play.

If partner opens 1 NT and you hold:  A43,A65,K543,J43 you have an easy response: 3 NT.  If the opponents should overcall 2H one might also bid 3N however, what would one do with this hand?  A43,T65,K543,A43?  This hand does not have a stop in the opponent's suit but does have game going values. Counter-intuitive though it may seem, going through the 2N relay shows a stop in the opponent's suit and bidding 3N directly denies  a stop. Using "slow show stop:" lebesohl (not everyone's choice but the one I discuss here) I would relay through 2N with the first hand and bid 3N directly with the second hand.  If neither one of you have a stop in the opponent's suit it's hairy to start scrambling at the four level, but it's better than playing a hopeless NT contract.

Folks pretty commonly use a queue bid of the opponent's suit as Stayman in these sequences even if not playing lebesohl.   One can direct Stayman or "slow show stop" Stayman using lebesohl. Here's an example.

If you hold A876,A643,76 K76 and partner opens 1N, you know what to do.  2C Stayman and place the contract according to what partner bids.  If opponents overcall  2D you can bid 3D. This would deny a stop in opponent's suit.  Bidding 2N! with a relay to 3C! and then bidding 3D! Stayman shows this hand:  A876,A643,K76,76. 

If opponent's use artificial bids such as transfers, one used lebensohl to show stops in the known (shown) suit, e.g. 1N (2D! transfer) one would show a heart stop with this hand?  A76,K54,AK54,J54 by going through 2N! 3C! then Q bid hearts.

Review points:

1)  Lebensohl uses a 2N relay to 3C,. Opener has no other option but to bid 3C
2)  You have a choice,  but I've discussed "slow show stop" -so if you're using lebsohl to show/deny stops,  going through the relay shows a stop.
3)  Texas transfers are on over opponent's interference call up to 3C. One needs 4d over 3D interference to show majors.
4)  All three level bids are game forcing
5)  If you use lebesohl to differentiate between invitation and game forcing major suit hands --the "stop" idea is lost
6) If you use lebensohl, use it when lho opens and partner overcalls and rho raises!


One last thought. Don't use a convention when one isn't necessary.  If partner opens 1 NT and rho overcalls 2H and I hold Q54,8,Q87,AKQJ65, I would bid 3C (game forcing with a club suit). Partner can clearly bid 3 NT if he/she thinks it's right. In the meantime I've bid my beautiful club suit!

 Please comment or ask questions if the spirit moves.