When partner opens 1N and the next bidder interferes with 2/2/2/2, consider Lebensohl.

Benefits:

You can check for a stopper for a 3N contract Compete with a long weak suit to the three level Distinguish between invitational and forcing hands

Costs:

A new convention can be forgotten or confused. The usual direct 2N invitation is usually lost.

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2/2/2/2	2 N !	Pass
3!	Pass	- 3 of a suit RANKING LOWER than the opponent suit is to play (5+ cards) - Cuebid is Stayman WITH a stopper - 3 of a suit RANKING HIGHER than the opponent suit shows an invitational hand (5+ card suit, 8/9 points)

Lebensohl is !alertable!.
The 2N bid is a forcing bid, TELLING partner (the 1N opener) to bid 3.
Opener MUST rebid 3, even with AKT9 AKT9 KT9 32

1) To check for a stopper for a 3N contract

You can show your partner a stopper in the opponent's suit by bidding 2N on the way to game:

• A Cuebid WITHOUT the 2N relay is Stayman WITHOUT a stopper.
• A Cuebid WITH the 2N relay is Stayman WITH a stopper.
  

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2	2 N !	Pass
3!	Pass	3 !	Pass
3	Pass	3 N	Pass
Pass	Pass

2N is a forcing bid (3-25HCP)
3 is a relay ("I made her do that and she might not have any clubs.")
3 is Stayman WITH a stopper, 7-25 HCP ("Partner has your diamonds stopped AND at least one major")
3N tends to deny 4 spades, but does promise at least 4 hearts

None Vul Dealer: North Board 1 A K T Q 3 2 K Q J 8 8 7 6 6 3 2 4 6 5 4 3 2 A 5 4 3 W N   S E J 5 4 K J 9 8 7 6 9 K Q J Q 9 8 7 A T 5 A T 7 T 9 2 West Pass Pass North 1 N 3 ! 3N East 2 Pass All Pass South 2 N! 3 !Lebensohl is alerted: 2N is a forcing bid (3-25HCP) 3 is a relay 3 is Stayman WITH a stopper, 7-25 HCP

Lebensohl page 1

Choosing NOT to double has lead implications.
If West wanted a heart lead, she should have doubled.
East's suit is lousy so a club lead looks good.

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2	3 !	Pass
3	Pass	4	Pass All

3 is Stayman WITHOUT a stopper, 7-25 HCP ("No diamond stopper, 8+ points and at least one major")

2) To compete with long weak suits at the three level

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2	2 N !	Pass
3!	Pass	- Pass is weak clubs - 3 is weak diamonds - 3 is weak hearts

Bidding any of those suits directly would have been game forcing

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You
1 N	2	3 is game forcing (5+ clubs) 3 is game forcing (5+ diamonds) 3 is game forcing (5+ spades)

NS Vul Dealer: East Board 2 A A J K 5 4 3 T 7 6 5 4 3 5 4 2 K T 9 8 7 6 T 9 8 8 W N   S E Q J 3 Q 3 2 Q J 2 A Q J 2 K T 9 8 7 6 5 4 A 7 6 K 9 West 2 N! 3 North Pass All Pass East 1 N 3 ! South 2 Pass 2 N is Lebensohl. 3 is a relay 3 is Hearts to play (5+ cards, 3-7 HCP)

Lebensohl page 2 Conventions

Notice that the weak suit to play is LOWER RANKING than the interference suit.
Switching South's and West's Spades and hearts, South might overcall 2.
Then West bid might consider:
2 to play (weak)
2N and THEN 3 to invite game
3 to GAME FORCE (5+ cards)
4 would be to play (6+ cards, 10-14 points)

3) To show invitational suits (suit HIGHER RANKING than interference suit)

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2	2 N !	Pass
3!	Pass	3 (5+ hearts and 8/9 points) 3 (5+ spades and 8/9 points)

You give up most of your regular game tries and if you pick up a flat 7-9 points, your hands might start to shake if partner opens 1N. Why? If your RHO interferes with 2/2/2, you're going to have to choose between Pass, Double, or 3N.

Have you consulted with partner lately? Discussing some of these hands and your action if RHO overcalls 2:

KT73 QT32 KT3 32	KT73 QT32 KT32 3
KT73 QT32 K43 32	KT7 QT32 K3 T432
KT73 QT3 KT3 432	JT97 QJT92 KT JT

EW Vul Dealer: South Board 3 J 9 4 K T 9 8 6 5 K 3 2 2 K 8 7 7 4 A J 9 7 5 4 K 9 W N   S E Q 6 5 2 A 2 6 T 8 7 6 5 4 A T 3 Q J 3 Q T 8 A Q J 3 West 2 Pass All Pass North 2 N! 3 East Pass Pass South 1 N 3 ! 4 2N is a forcing bid (3-25HCP) 3 is a relay 3 is invitational with 5+ hearts and

Lebensohl page 3 Conventions

When you Alert! you alert your partner's 2NT bid, what would you explain if asked?

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2	2N !	'Please explain the alert'.

" The 2N bid is Lebensohl. It asks me to bid 3 and if there is no interference, my partner will:
a) Pass with a weak hand with 5+ clubs, OR
b) Bid 3 with a weak hand with 5+ diamonds, OR
c) Bid 3 with a weak hand with 5+ hearts OR
d) Cuebid to show Stayman with a stopper, OR
e) Bid 3N with a balanced 8-15 points and a stopper in your suit."

 

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2	2N !	'Please explain the alert'.

"The 2N bid is Lebensohl. It asks me to bid 3 and if there is no interference, my partner will:
a) Pass with a weak hand with 5+ clubs, OR
b) Bid 3 with an intermediate hand with 5+ diamonds, OR
c) Bid 3 with an invitational hand with 5+ hearts OR
d) Bid 3 with an invitational hand with 5+ spades OR
e) Bid 3N with a balanced 8-15 points and a stopper in your suit."

Recommended is give up penalizing 2.
An invitational hand WITHOUT a four card major can still 'fake' stayman!

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2	X (Stayman)	Pass
2	Pass	- 2 is invitational with four spades - 2 N is invitational with no major

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2	X (Stayman)	Pass
2	Pass	2 N is invitational, maybe without hearts

Lebensohl with 2 interference:

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You
1 N	2	- X is Stayman - 2// is to play, five+ pieces - 2N* is Lebensohl - 3 is Game Forcing Stayman without a stopper - 3// is game force, five+ pieces - 3N is 10-15 points, WITHOUT stopper, no 4 card major

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2	2N*	Pass
3	Pass	- 3// is invitational, six + pieces - 3N is 10-15 points, WITH stopper

Lebensohl after 2 interference :

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You
1 N	2	- X is Penalty - 2N* is Lebensohl - 3/3/3 is game force, five+ pieces - 3 is Stayman WITHOUT a stopper - 3N is 10-15, WITHOUT a stopper (directly denies)

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2	2 N*	Pass
3	Pass	- Pass/3/ are weak six + card suits - 3 is Stayman WITH a stopper - 3N is 10-15 balanced, WITH a stopper (slow shows)

 

 

Alternatives to What's Probably Already Info Overload

Giving up some forcing bids for invitational bids:

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You
1 N	2	3// as invite only

Giving up some weak bids for invitational bids:

Partner Opens	LHO Interferes	You	RHO
1 N	2	2N	Pass
3	Pass	3/ as invitational

*There is also a "Lebensohl over 'Weak 2's" convention AND a "Lebensohl over Reverses" convention

 

Lebensohl over Opponents' 'Weak Two's

LHO	Parter	RHO	You
2	X	Pass	2 N !

" 2 N ! is Lebensohl. It asks me to bid 3 if I have a standard take-out double. If there is no interference, my partner will:
a) Pass with a weak hand with 5+ clubs (fewer than 8 points), OR
b) Bid 3 with a weak hand with 5+ diamonds (fewer than 8 points), OR
c) Bid 3 with a weak hand with 5+ hearts (fewer than 8 points) OR
d) Cuebid to show Stayman without a stopper, OR
e) Bid 3N with a balanced 10-16 points."

 

Lebensohl over 'Reverses' (no interference)

Parter	You
1	1
2	2 N !

" 2 N ! is Lebensohl. It usually shows less than 8 HCP and asks me to bid rebid my lower suit, 3, if I have a minimum reverse [16(?) HCP].
If there is no interference, my partner will:
a) Pass with a weak hand with fewer than 8 points in support of clubs, OR
b) Bid 3 with a weak hand, artificial game forcing, usually asking for spade support, OR
c) Bid 3 with a weak hand with fewer than 8 points in support of hearts, OR
d) Bid 3, spades to play, OR
e) Bid 3N with a balanced 13-15 points."

Some partnerships prefer a 6+ card requirement for weak suits.
There are many versions of Lebensohl. Discuss your standards with partner!