Lebensohl Facing Competition

[gurgistan]

[hv=d=s&v=e&n=saq5h92dat84ckqt8&s=sk9832hk3dk95c743]133|200|Scoring: IMP

I am dealer and pass. West opens 2♥. Partner doubles. East Redoubles. I bid Lebensohl 2N. West passes. Partner relays to 3♣. East passes. I bid 3♠. It is passed out.

 

Questions:

1. Is it even Lebensohl if I am a passed hand?

 

2. What does East's redouble mean?

 

3. I misbid with 3♠. It shows a 5 card suit, a stopper and 10 hcp. I only have 9 hcp. As bid 3♠ is a game force according to my notes. Should not Partner have put me in 4S?

 

4. If the sequence is not Lebensohl could someone state just how a double followed by a redouble should be dealt with when I am fourth to act?[/hv]

[mgoetze]

1. Yes

2. Ask him

3. Even if this is your agreement, it makes sense to relax it a bit with a passed hand.

[Finch]

1. Generally, yes.

 

It is more debateable whether lebensohl should be on when the doubler is a passed hand (e.g. P 2H P P x P ....) and it should not be on when both of you are passed hands (P P P 2H P P x P ....) but should be 'scramble' instead, showing both minors.

 

2. Ask him

 

(I play it as a strong hand, looking to take a penalty.... but some people play it as showing a heart honour, and some play it as strong but psyche it with a heart fit for a laugh)

 

3. After partner doubles 2H, 2NT then 3S does not have a 'standard' meaning. I play this as invitational with four spades. If your notes say it is forcing, then clearly partner should not have passed (if he has the same notes).

 

4. It is possible to agree to play something different after the redouble. That is a matter for you and your partner to discuss.

[barmar]

3. After partner doubles 2H, 2NT then 3S does not have a 'standard' meaning. I play this as invitational with four spades. If your notes say it is forcing, then clearly partner should not have passed (if he has the same notes).

As a general rule, a passed hand can't force to game when he doesn't know partner's range. Pretty much the only forcing bids they can make are artificial bids.