Lebensohl or Rubensohl?

[tendenz]

I've an importan question for all the experts. After 1nt opening of your pard do u play leb- or rub sequence?

And does it change if the bidding goes:

2M DBl pass ?

Thanks!

[gnasher]

When you want to distinguish between a forcing bid and a non-forcing one - as after 1NT (2♠) - Rubensohl is clearly better than Lebensohl. Rubensohl caters for all the hand-types that Lebensohl caters for and some more as well, and it is not so vulnerable to further competition by LHO.

 

When you want to distinguish between two non-forcing bids - as after (1♠) dbl (2♠) - Rubensohl doesn't work, so you are usually stuck with Lebensohl.

 

In a situation where you can expect that the opponents won't bid again, there is another option, which I've never managed to persuade anyone to play. After (2♠) dbl (pass):

 

2NT = weak with clubs or invitational+ with diamonds

3♣ = weak with diamonds or invitational+ with hearts (5 cards if game-forcing)

3♦ = weak with hearts or strong invitational+ with clubs

3♥ = game-forcing, exactly four hearts

3♠ = asking for a spade stop

 

After, for example, 2NT-3♣, 3♦ is invitational, 3♥ is forcing with diamonds and hearts, 3♠ shows diamonds and asks for a spade stop, etc.

 

This method lets you distinguish three different strengths for each suit, except that with clubs you can't show an invitation. It is, however, quite vulnerable to further competition, so you can only use it when the opponents can be expected to be silent.

[helene_t]

Looks interesting, Gnasher. I wouldn't be worried about opps competing further, normal opps won't bid again after not having raised the preempt.

[gnasher]

Looks interesting, Gnasher. I wouldn't be worried about opps competing further, normal opps won't bid again after not having raised the preempt.

Yes. What I meant was that you can only play it after a double of a weak two or something similar. You can't use it in situations like (1♠) dbl (2♠) or 1NT (2♠)

[Cascade]

We do not play Lebensohl after 1NT (2any).

 

For us

 

2NT is natural NF and invitational

 

new suits at the three-level are natural NF but not invitational

 

Dbl and then bid is forcing - only one round force if we can rebid at the two-level but game forcing at higher levels

 

Jumps to the three-level and slammish

 

Jumps to 4m are leaping michaels style

 

Jumps to 4M are natural and to play

 

This seems to cover most hands.

 

 

Over

 

(2M) X (Pass) ?

 

We play sort of the opposite of Lebensohl

 

2NT is an artificial force showing at least moderate values 7/8+

 

simple new suits are natural and weaker than 2NT

 

cue-bid is GF and worried about wrong-siding NT with an artificial 2NT response

 

We need to do a little work here to distinguish when we do or do not have a four-card major. I think

 

(2M) Dbl (Pass) 3M - might have the other major but will not have a stopper

 

(2M) Dbl (Pass) 3NT - has a stopper and no major

 

(2M) Dbl (Pass) 2NT

(Pass) 3♣ (Pass) 3M - has a major and a half stopper

 

(2M) Dbl (Pass) 2NT

(Pass) 3♣ (Pass) 3NT - has a major and a full stopper

[dake50]

Xfers on in competition into all 4 suits (into their suit asks opener's direction).

With super accepts, and rejects/breaks and a guaranteed rebid, continuing decisions become well informed. Eg. show S, then nt tells partner where to go if 1-stop is too few. 2-suiters are no-problem (if space permits) rebids.

Jumps above xfers show good long suits. Jump cue asks stop where resp places the contract failing 3N.