Competitive bidding after 2-suited overcall of 1NT

[cwiggins]

What competitive methods do you recommend after a 2-suited action by opponents over a "strong" 1NT opening? (My 1NT is 14-16.) Does your recommendation change if the opponent's action is in one of the suits shown (so that a pass by opponent's partner is possible) rather than in a third suit (so opponent's partner "must" take a bid)?

 

I've been seeing lots of competition after my 1NT opening. Some of the competition shows only one suit or it shows a known first suit but an unknown second suit. In these two situations, Lebensohl (or transfer Lebensohl) seems to work.

 

But what if the opponents' action shows two specific suits (e.g. 2♦ or 2♥ showing both majors)? I don't know what Lebensohl bids mean when you have two suits to cuebid. Nor am I sure that Lebensohl is the right method. It doesn't seem right to have two cuebids being Stayman and showing no stopper.

 

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[Robert]

Hello cwiggins

 

The choice of defensive methods is often a matter of style. I like to play an agressive bidding style, however, I am also eager to double and defend.

 

Currently I am playing negative doubles from both sides of the table after my

15-17 1NT opening. If either partner 'holds' a trump stack, he passes partner's takeout double. If your partner is short and you do not hold a trump stack, you start your search for a playable suit.

 

Most players use 1NT-(X)- as system 'on.' Bid whatever your methods call for without the double. You only need to adjust your bidding to what 'pass' and XX should mean.

 

If the other pair bids 2C*, most people still ignore the bid. It is still a very good idea to find out what the bid means. You might not want to try and find a 4-4 major fit 'if' that 2C bid shows either 'the major' that you do hold or even both majors.

 

Some like 2NT* as Good Bad here. Direct bids at the three level are forcing and competitive type hands bid 2NT forcing partner to bid 3C and they either now pass with clubs or show another long suit.

 

If you like to drive in the fast lane, three level bids can be transfers.

 

If the other pair shows two 'known' suits, you might want to try an

'unusual-unusual' type defense. If their bid shows majors, bidding 2H=clubs and bidding 2S shows diamonds @10+HCP. Directly bidding 3m would be competitive or forcing according to your agreements.

 

If they are showing any other two suits, continue with the same style. A cuebid of the 'lower' known suits shows the unbid 'lower' suit. A cuebid of the 'higher' known suit shows the unbid 'higher' suit.

 

Often it is right to 'double' with balanced hands so that partner may pass with his 'trump' stack. They may have shown two suits. But that does not always mean that they have a fit or that partner might still have a trump stack. :unsure:

 

Many methods like DONT often come to rest in a 4-3 contract, if you double(for takeout) with xx and partner holds AQ10x their 4-3 'fit' might be in big trouble.

 

Try various methods and see what you like to play.

 

Regards,

Robert

[Fluffy]

The onlymethods I know is to use double to show 8+ with balanced/penalty tendencies. When the suit is passable double is more risky (that's what DONT was developed for). But you still have to play the same.

[mila85]

My agreement is dbl takeout up to 2♥, lebensohl and unusual vs. unusual. It means:

 

Over 2♣ dbl is take out. You can call it stayman (asks for major) or penalty oriented if 2♣ wasn't natural (they have major, I have major).

2♣ rarely shows known suit other then clubs. So new suit is natural, lebensohl on.

Over 2♦ it's very similar.

Ovecalls in major are from 99% natural (it can show side suit, but the major is know). Double is takeout over 2♥, penalty over 2♠. Other is natural and 2nt is lebensohl (c-b is stayman).

 

If two suits are known, it's very easy. Their lower suit is lower unbid suit. Their higher suit is higher unbid suit. Both inv+. Unbid suits are NF and competitive.

[Kalvan14]

I do not see a need to modify completely the bidding structure.

I keep Lebensohl even when both suits are known (and they are always majors, if the action is at 2-level).

3 in an unbid suit is forcing (weak passing through 2N)

double is a balanced hand, 8/+ (proposing to penalise)

any suit at 2-level is weak to play (even if it is one shown by RHO)

3N is a two suiter in the unbid suits, without stoppers

2N, then 3N promises both stoppers

2N, then one of their suits: stopper, lacking the other one

[000002]

my method:

 

double is penalty

cuebid is game forcing

2nt is transfer

 

when 2suits are known,lower cue is invitation and higher is gf.

 

regards