Learning lebensohl

[jillybean]

Leb is the latest convention Im trying to not forget.

I'm playing 1nt (2x);

Double negative for takeout

2lvl NF

3lvl F, natural

2nt relay to 3♣

 

How to you play 1nt (2x) 4M ?

[TylerE]

4♥ = ♠ (Texas, 4♦ likewise for 4♥)

4♠ = Probably some sort of minor hand

[rogerclee]

If you play texas transfers, they are still on. Transferring to their suit becomes quite useless, but I would still play transfers are on because they are so important in this kind of auction (and to me it's easier). You can use the "useless" bid for some things, but they are not relevant to this particular subforum.

 

Also remember that you can show invitational hands if your suit is bigger than their suit. For example

 

1N - (2♥) - ?

 

2N then 3♠ here is now invitational. However, you cannot invite in clubs or diamonds, so you either have to call it a signoff or a game force depending on your judgment (usually call it a game force!).

 

Also you didn't mention this, but it's standard to play that:

 

1N - (2♥) - ?

 

3♥ = stayman, no stopper

2N then 3♥ = stayman with a stopper

 

unless you reverse the stopper showing order (which is probably better, but standard in America is "slow shows").

 

Also it is easy to forget that a direct 3N denies holding a stopper in their suit (unless, as above, you reverse it).

 

Don't worry if you don't get it at first, lebensohl is the hardest convention that intermediate players learn by far.

[kgr]

Also you didn't mention this, but it's standard to play that:

1N - (2♥) - ?

3♥ = stayman, no stopper

2N then 3♥ = stayman with a stopper

unless you reverse the stopper showing order (which is probably better, but standard in America is "slow shows").

For me it feels most natural to play that slow shows...a 4 card Major.

1N-(2H)-2NT-3C-3H=4cH and no stop

1N-(2H)-2NT-3C-3NT=4cH and stop

1N-(2H)-3H=no 4cH and no stop (or 3D if you play transfer)

1N-(2H)-3NT=no 4cH and a stop

Any idea why this is not more popular?