Lebensohl is used after our side has opened 1NT and the next opponent has overcalled at the two level. It allows responder to make either a competitive bid or a forcing bid at the three level. Also, when responder has a balanced hand and game strength, responder can show or deny a four-card major and show or deny a stopper in the opponents' suit. This is a significant improvement over standard methods, where a (non-jump) three-level bid is normally played as competitive and responder must have a stopper to bid no trumps. Lebensohl allows you to compete safely for the part score after your 1NT bid has been overcalled and allows you to find the best game if you have a balanced hand.
Lebensohl is also used, in exactly the same way, after (a) an opponent has opened 1NT, partner has doubled for penalties and the opener's partner has removed to a suit; (b) an opponent has opened a weak two and partner has made a takeout double; and (c) an opponent has opened one of a suit, his partner has raised to two, and your partner has then made a takeout double (either in the direct or the protective position).
There is also a "Reverse Lebensohl" variation of this convention, described at the end of this document, which doesn't alter when and how the convention is used but does reverse some of the meanings.
The Lebensohl convention uses a bid of 2NT conventionally,
asking partner to bid 3
which responder passes (if clubs is his suit)
or converts to the suit in which he wishes to play.
Opener will know that responder is weak and will not normally bid on.
A direct bid by responder of any new suit at the three level is forcing to game.
So Lebensohl allows responder merely to compete, if that is his wish,
or to force to game, if he knows that the strength is there but is uncertain of the best denomination.
When responder uses the 2NT Lebensohl bid, opener will initially believe that responder is weak. However, if responder next bids 3NT, or cue bids the opponents' suit, then clearly he is not weak after all, and must have used Lebensohl for some other reason. That reason, as we will shortly see, is to deny a stopper in the opponents' suit.
NB: It is equally possible to use the Lebensohl route to show a stopper and the direct route to deny a stopper. I first learnt it that way, in fact, and the first version of this web page was that way. However, the modern method is to use Lebensohl to deny a stopper. I have therefore amended this web page and the way I play Lebensohl to accord with modern practice. The modern method has some small technical advantages, but one major benefit is that it makes Lebensohl easier to remember:
Memory Guide: Using the Lebensohl relay shows a weaker hand than making the same bid directly. Either responder's hand is too weak for game or, if strong enough for game, it has no stopper.
After our side has opened 1NT and the next player has made either a natural or an artificial overcall, a bid of 2NT is Lebensohl.
Partner must bid 3.
With the normal single-suited competitive hand, responder will pass or convert to his suit.
If responder bids the opponents' suit after first bidding the Lebensohl 2NT (even an artificial two-suited overcall must specify at least one suit, so this is always possible), this is Stayman, showing a four-card major, but it denies a stopper in the opponents' suit. A direct bid of the opponents' suit is also Stayman, but promises a stopper.
If responder bids 3NT after first bidding the Lebensohl 2NT, this is an offer to play, but it denies a stopper in the opponents' suit (responder is relying on opener for a stopper). A direct bid of 3NT promises a stopper in the opponents' suit.
If responder has used Lebensohl to show the values for game but no stopper
and opener also has no stopper, opener must not pass 3NT or bid 3NT.
Opener should bid four of a major if holding a five-card suit, or bid four of a minor.
Opener may also give consideration to playing in a
In summary, when playing Lebensohl, after a natural or an artificial two-level overcall of our opening 1NT
(other than an overcall of
.
However, if opponents make a natural or artificial overcall of 2, you should play "system on".
That is, your double of the uncontested,
which for most pairs is Stayman, of course,
and all other bids mean the same as if there had not been a 2 overcall,
so transfers, etc, still apply.
When an opponent opens 1NT, we double for penalties, then an opponent takes the double out into a suit, doubler's partner should use Lebensohl exactly as if doubler had opened 1NT and the opponents had overcalled in their rescue suit.
When an opponent opens a weak two and we make a takeout double, doubler's partner should use Lebensohl exactly as if doubler had opened 1NT and the weak two opener had overcalled in that suit.
The use of Lebensohl after a takeout double of a weak two is, if anything, an even more important and beneficial use of the convention than after interference over a 1NT opening bid. This is because doubler's partner is forced to bid when weak (which he isn't after an overcall of his partner's 1NT), and, without Lebensohl, how can the doubler know whether to advance or not when holding significant extra values for his double?
When an opponent has opened one of a suit and his partner has raised to two, then your partner makes a takeout double (either in the direct or the protective position), you are in a very similar position to when a weak two opening bid has been doubled for takeout. It therefore makes sense to use Lebensohl in exactly the same way as has just been described above.
Lebensohl, or an equivalent convention, is played by nearly all tournament partnershps. It reduces the effect of the opponents' interference and increases your side's ability to compete at one and the same time.
I recommend the Lebensohl convention to you without reservation. It is simple to play and, once you have got your head around it, resonably easy to remember. It makes use of a redundant 2NT bid that you will never need to use naturally and, in return, it gives you the freedom and ability to express your hand accurately in important competitive situations.
It is possible to reverse the meanings of a direct bid at the three level and the indirect bid via the Lebensohl
No doubt this is a worthwhile modification,
but I strongly recommend that a partnership first becomes familiar with standard Lebensohl
before trying this variation which,
because of the differences between a direct bid of
Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club