Lebensohl after opponents open a weak 2 and we double

by Bill Stoltey

Lebensohl is a system for dealing with direct seat interference after our side opens 1NT.

The name is also used to describe a framework for responding to partner’s double after the opponents open a weak two. This is what we are going to discuss today.

Finally, the name is applied to a 2NT rebid by responder after partner’s reverse.

The common thread is that a 2NT bid by responder requests that opener (or doubler) rebid 3.

Origins – the convention probably first appeared in the late 1960’s, but unlike Blackwood, Jacoby etc, nobody named Lebensohl emerged as the inventor. Ken Lebensold declined any credit. Augie Boehm and his father George were early users of it.

Why lebensohl?

Suppose the bidding goes

(2) – DBL – (P) – 3;

(P) – ?

They open a weak 2, you double and your partner (the “advancer”) bids 3. You hold

52 AK74 AJ53 KQ2

Not bad – 17 points, 4 quick tricks and very nice hearts. Should you raise to game?

If partner has

873 Q982 KQ8 J64

you’re in good shape -- 4 looks very reasonable.

But suppose he has

J7 Q962 984 9754

Your partner again has an obvious 3 bid. But this time in 4 doubled, you will probably go down 2 or 3.

Advancer’s point range is just too great – 0 to 10 or so. That is where lebensohl over a weak 2 comes in.

What is lebensohl over a weak 2?

1. If the weak 2 suit is diamonds or hearts, at 2-level bid by advancer is weak and to play.

2. A 2NT response by advancer asks doubler to bid 3 so advancer can pass or set the final contract (or invite in a higher-ranking suit).

3. A 3-level new suit by advancer (non-jump) is constructive and shows 8-10 HCP.

4. All other bids by advancer below game are forcing.

Assume for the following hands the bidding has gone

(2) – DBL – (P) – ?

Advancer has a weak hand – 0-7 points and has 4+ cards in a higher suit than the weak 2 suit

K974 52 J753 J92

Advancer bids 2. Any 2-level suit bid is to play. This is not an option if the weak 2 suit is spades.

Advancer has a weak hand – 0-7 points and his suit is lower-ranking than the weak 2 suit

J5 Q962 1098 9754

Advancer bids 2NT, passes his partner’s 3, and hopes he doesn’t get doubled! Of course if his 4-card suit was diamonds, he would correct to 3.

Advancer has an intermediate hand – 8 to 10

Advancer bids his 4-card major or best suit at the 3 level (unless this bid is a jump).

A82 98 QJ953 Q92

3 -- this shows about 8 to 10 HCP. This bid is not forcing, but it is constructive.

Advancer has an intermediate hand – 8 to 10 and has 4 cards in a higher suit than the weak 2 suit

A982 98 1053 AJ92

Advancer bids 2NT – after partner responds 3, he will then rebid 3 showing 4+ spades and intermediate values. This bid is not forcing.

Notice that advancer now has 3 point ranges he can show – 0-7, 8-10, and game-going. However if a 2-level suit bid is not available (eg after a 2 weak 2), the 0-7 range must be shown at the 3-level after going through 2NT.

Important:

When doubler is loaded, i.e. 8-8.5 tricks, or 19-20 HCP, he will show this by not rebidding 3 after 2NT. A bid other than 3 shows this kind of hand. With no help at all, advancer should pass this bid. If doubler’s rebid is a cue bid of the weak 2 suit, this shows a hand that would have opened 2.

Advancer has a good hand – 11 good points and up

If advancer holds a good hand of 11+ and up, he either bids game or makes a forcing bid:

AK74 52 AJ53 J92

3 -- forcing jump, which allows partner some room to correct if he doesn’t want to play 4.

AK7 A8 J953 J92

If the partnership plays western cues, this is a good time for it.

When the weak 2 suit is diamonds, that means both majors should be explored when advancer has a good hand. This may take priority over the western cue (by partnership agreement).

(2) – DBL – (P) – ?

Now a cue bid by advancer might show 4-4 in the majors in case doubler has only one 4-card major:

Doubler: AK72 A86 8 J8752

Advancer: Q1085 KJ83 J73 AQ

This is ideal for a cue bid by advancer and doubler should bid 3 of his 4-card major. Advancer will raise to 4.

If advancer has only one 4-card major and 13HCP, he will jump in that suit (forcing).

Remember: in general, a takeout double in balancing seat can be a couple of points weaker than in direct seat – although the same rules are followed, doubler’s partner should be aware of the possibility.

Examples:

The bidding has gone:

(2) – Double – (Pass) – ?

1. J982 973 A108 1087

2. 102 42 A1082 98762

3. K1082 K8 876 QJ76

4. AK52 42 1098 AQJ7

5. K10 84 J98 AKQJ98

(2) – Double – (Pass) – ?

6. J982 973 A108 1087

7. A982 Q973 10 A1063

For additional information, use a Search engine on lebensohl weak 2 (and) lebensohl over weak 2

Looking at other sites provides a wealth of additional suggestions.

Answers:

1. 2 -- weak hand, best suit

2. 2NT – then pass if pard rebids 3

3. 2NT – then rebid 3 showing 4+ spades and intermediate values

4. 3 -- jump -- game force

5. 3 -- western cue!

(2) – Double – (Pass) – ?

6. 2 -- weak hand, best suit

7. 3 -- just enough for a game force – should find a nice fit.