Strong Lebensohl After a Double of a Weak-two by David Bird

The bidding starts with a weak 2♠ opening from LHO. Your partner then doubles for take-out. We have already seen the value of Lebensohl Responses, where a 2NT response asks partner to rebid 3♣ on most hands. You can then pass with 0-7 HCP and clubs, or show the same range with a different suit by rebidding 3♦ or 3♥. A direct response at the three-level would have shown 8-10.

Now we will look at some strong sequences that can flow from a 2NT Lebensohl start. There are four possible game-going types that the responder can hold: Game values with/without a stopper in spades, and with/without four cards in hearts, the other major. Amazingly, there is space to show all four types:

2NT then 3NT shows a spade stopper, but not four hearts

2NT then 3♠ (cue-bid) shows a spade stopper and four hearts

3♠ directly shows NO spade stopper, with four hearts

3NT directly shows NO spade stopper and not four hearts

It's complicated, yes, but just look at how much partner will know about your hand! He will easily be able to place the final contract.

See how it works in the following quiz.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A 8 7
♥ K Q 9 2
♦ 8 3
♣ K 10 6 5

Q: 1 - What will you bid next, to describe your hand?

South	West	North	East
-	2♠	Dble	Pass
2NT	Pass	3♣	Pass
?

A: 3♠. Given that you're forcing to game, 2NT has already told partner that you hold a spade stopper. You now cue-bid in the opener's suit to show that you have four hearts as well.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 10 6 2
♥ A Q 7 2
♦ K J 7 6
♣ Q 8

Q: 2 - What is your bidding plan to show your hand type?

South	West	North	East
-	2♠	Dble	Pass
?

A: 3♠. You cannot bid a Lebensohl 2NT, continuing strongly thereafter, because that sequence would show a spade stopper.

Your correct response, to search for a heart fit, is 3♠ (an immediate cue-bid).

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A Q 6 5
♥ 8
♦ A K 9 8 3
♣ K 5 3

Q: 3 - You double 2♥ for take-out and partner jumps to 3NT. What does this mean, and what is your next action?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥
Dble	Pass	3NT	Pass
?

A: 4♦. If partner had a heart stopper, he would have responded 2NT, intending to bid 3NT over your 3♣. When he bypasses 2NT, he is denying a heart stopper; he is also denying four cards in spades.

You cannot play in 3NT without a heart stopper. The bidding is forcing to game, so just bid 4♦. Partner may raise to 5♦. He might also bid 5♣ with five cards there, or even 4♠ to show three spades (he has denied four). You must look for somewhere else to play.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A 5
♥ K Q 8 2
♦ K 10 9 2
♣ A 8 4

Q: 4 - What will you bid next on this one?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♠
Dble	Pass	2NT	Pass
3♣	Pass	3♠	Pass
?

A: 4♥. Partner has shown both a spade stopper and four hearts. With a 4-4 heart fit, you should choose to play in the heart game. For all you know, you might have weakness in clubs for playing in 3NT.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ K 6
♥ A K 6 5
♦ A Q 7 6
♣ Q 10 5

Q: 5 - What will you do on this one?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥
Dble	Pass	2NT	Pass
3♣	Pass	3NT	Pass
?

A: 4NT. Partner has shown enough strength to play in 3NT opposite a minimum double. With 18 HCP, you are entitled to consider a slam.

Partner may have only 12 HCP, so you cannot justify a leap to 6NT. You can, however, suggest a slam with a quantitative 4NT. This is non-forcing, but partner can bid 6NT with values to spare.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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