Source: www.acblunit390.org
In today’s competitive bidding environment, overcalls are made far more frequently. Without long discussion, it is difficult to know what to bid when opponents overcall 1NT – and what partner will understand by whatever action you take.
Lebensohl is a convention used to enable a better indication of the strength of the responder. Bids can be
weak, invitational, or
forcing to game.
Lebensohl Over 1NT Interference
Six Basic Concepts to Memorize
1.Responder’s Doubles & Redoubles over a 2-level bid are penalty-oriented
2.Responder’s Doubles over a 3-level bid are Take-out
3.If Responder bids 2NT, Opener MUST bid 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
4.Responder’s 2-level suit overcalls are to play
5.Responder’s 3-level suit overcalls are forcing
6.If a Responder’s auction includes 2NT, she has stopper.
After a NT Opening and an Opponent’s Overcall at the 2-level
Examples of bids that don’t change
1.After 1NT– DBL* – 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
is Stayman and all transfers apply (
Systems On)
2.After 1NT– DBL* – RDBL shows most of the outstanding points –
Gotcha!
3.After 1NT– 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
(
artificial) – DBL is Stayman; all transfers apply (
Systems On)
4.After 1NT – 2X (including 2
natural) – Double – is penalty-oriented
5.After 1NT – 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
– 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
(Q-bid) – Stayman for both majors or the other Major. This shows no stopper in the overcalled suit
6.After 1NT – 2X – 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
– is Gerber (asks for Aces)
7.After 1NT – 2X – 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
or 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
are Texas Transfer bids
8.After 1NT – 3X – Double is
negative – a 3-suit take-out
9.After 1NT – 3X – 3NT is to play and shows at least Qxx as a stopper
*typically, a strong, balanced hand
Note the difference in the 3 responding doubles
Examples of bids that don’t change much
1.After 1NT – 2X – 3NT – shows values for 3NT,
but no stopper in X
2.After 1NT – 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
– 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
– is a Stayman and
denies a stopper in X
Examples of New Responses
- 2NT is artificial and forcing to 3
, after which…
A Pass shows clubs and a weak hand
3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
shows diamonds and a weak hand
A Q-bid is (sometimes) a transfer to the next-higher suit, and shows a stopper
3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
are invitational bids with 5+ cards in the bid suit
3NT shows sufficient values & a stopper in the overcalled suit
(“Slow” Shows)
2. 3NT shows sufficient values, but no stopper in the overcalled suit, and no 5-card Major
( “Fast” Denies)
After a NT Opening and an Opponent’s 2
Overcall at the 2-level
After 1NT– 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
(natural) – this is the easy one!
With 0-7 points, 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
or 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
is to play (weak)
With 0-11 points and/or a suit, 2NT is bid forcing a relay to 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
.
This is either passed, raised, or corrected to another suit.
if 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
it is invitational (7+ to 9-) with a good, 6-card suit
if 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
, it is a transfer to 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
, with a diamond stopper
if 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
or 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
, it is shows 5+ and is invitational (7+ to 9-)
if 3NT is bid, it shows game values
and a stopper
With 9+ points, and no stopper all four suits are bid at the 3 level, giving partner a chance to bid 3NT or game in the suggested suit
3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
shows both Majors, 9+ and is Stayman, without a diamond stopper
Note that with clubs, it is possible to stop in 4
With values for game, just bid it (remember Texas Transfers).
A bid of 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
is Leaping Michaels, showing 5-5 in the Majors
Note That 2NT MUST be used in all invitational and forcing hands with a stopper!
After a NT Opening and an Opponent’s 2
Overcall at the 2-level
After 1NT– 2
With 0-7 points, 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
is to play (weak)
With 0-11 points and a suit 2NT is bid forcing a relay to 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
.
This 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
bid is either passed or corrected to another suit.
if 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
, it shows 5+ and is weak (to play)
if 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
, it is a transfer, with 5+ spades, a
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
stopper and (7+ to 9-)
if 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
, it is shows 5+ spades, no stopper, and is invitational (7+ to 9-)
if 3NT is bid, it shows game values
and a heart stopper
With 9+ points and no stopper, all four suits are bid directly at the 3 level, giving partner a chance to bid 3NT or game in the suggested suit
Note that with diamonds, it is possible to stop in 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
A Q-bid of 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
is Stayman and
denies a heart stopper
With values for game just bid it (remember Texas Transfers).
Note That 2NT MUST be used in all invitational and forcing hands with a stopper!
After a NT Opening and an Opponent’s 2
Overcall at the 2-level
After 1NT– 2
With 0-7 points and hearts, pass and hope partner reopens
With 0-11 points and a suit, 2NT is bid forcing a relay to 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
.
The 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
response is either passed or corrected to another suit.
if 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
, it shows 5+ and is weak (to play)
if 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
, it is shows 5+ and is invitational (7+ to 9-)
if 3NT is bid, it shows game values
and a spade stopper
With 9+ points (and no stopper), all four suits are bid directly at the 3 level, giving partner a chance to bid 3NT or game in the suggested suit
Note that with diamonds, it is possible to stop in 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
Note: A Q-bid of 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
is a Western Q-bid and asks partner to bid 3NT with
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Jxx,
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Qx or better (and guarantees
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Jxx, or
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Qx)
With values for game just bid it (remember Texas Transfers).
Note That 2NT MUST be used in all invitational and forcing hands with a stopper!
Review of Bids After You Open 1NT
Weak Sequences – should be passed
1.2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
(nat)-2Y – Pass –
2.2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
(nat)-2NT-Pass – 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
– Pass -3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
Intermediate Sequences – may be passed
1.2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
(art)-DBL is Stayman – (Any 2-level suit bid is a transfer)
2.2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
(nat) – Double (Penalty)
3.2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
(nat) -2NT-Pass – 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
– Pass – 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
4.2NT (minors) – DBL (“I can double one of overcaller’s suits”) – 3x –
5.3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
/
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
– DBL (takeout) – Pass –
Strong Sequences – Anything Else