Source: www.acblunit390.org
Rubensohl: ( Kantar – Lesson by Bob Crosby)
Lebensohl by responder over a strong NT was invented so that you can compete better or show game forcing hands immediately.
The bad part of Lebensohl is that you must go thru a relay to find out partners real suit so when RHO competes you might never know that you have a fantastic fit. In today’s game, the opponents always seem to use their toy to disturb your NT but RHO is getting into the act more & more to re-preempt the auction.
Jeff Rubens from the Bridge World thought it was a better idea for partner to announce the suit directly with a transfer but your strength later with a D.S.I.P. double (“Do something intelligent partner” double)-or a Q bid or by bidding again. You build your system around hand evaluation concepts.
Rubensohl was built on the transfer concept.
The Problem
Example 1
With
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
xxx
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
AQxx
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
AKxx
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
Kx it might be a good idea to bid 5
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
since partner has announced hearts with her transfer .
Partner’s hand is
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
x
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
Kxxxxx
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
xx
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
Q10xx but playing Lebensohl he would have bid 2NT so with the same 4
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
bid by RHO the partnership is poorly placed.
Competing for a partial is important as double partial swings are expensive.
Example 2.
W |
N |
E |
S |
|
1NT |
2![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif) |
2NT |
3![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif) |
? |
|
|
You hold
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
xxx
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
Ax
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
Axxx
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
AKxx and guess that partner was competing in hearts so you pass.
Wrong, partner had diamonds .
With
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
x
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
xxx
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
QJ10xxx
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
Qxx, you are on a hook for 5
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
but you sell out for 3
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
unaware of your huge diamond fit.
The Solution
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
The device Rubens suggests to prevent RHO from jamming you is to
replace the Lebensohl structure with a transfer structure.
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
This allows the NT opener to know the suit immediately
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
By the simple act of accepting the transfer, he can be dropped by partner when his intention was just to compete.
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
When partner’s intention was to force, he can bid game or Q-bid or bid Blackwood or whatever.
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Another brilliant part of this structure is that you can define meanings to transferring into their suit.
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Transfers also allows the concept of “super accepts” which can also be used in this structure
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Usable bidding with two suiters is preserved with transfers along with the super accept understandings.
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
All this & the contract is right sided !!!
How it Works
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
When the opponents bid artificially or bid the minors naturally, Lebensohl or other understandings are on.
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
When the opponents make artificial doubles or 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
bids showing a single suit, we just ignore them and systems are on.
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
A double on an artificial 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
bid is simply Stayman or cards ( partnership preference ) .
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Rubensohl applies after a 1NT overcall also with RHO interfering.
After a 1NT opening bid and a natural 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
or 2
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
overcall (also playable if the overcall shows the bid suit along with an unknown minor
.
Example 3
W |
N |
E |
S |
|
1NT |
2![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif) |
? |
Double= penalty, D.S.I.P on terrorist vul (us vul them not)
2
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
= Natural, not forcing.
2NT= Transfer to 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
= Transfer to 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
= ( transfer to their suit ) Stayman or 3NT without a stopper
3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
= transfer to 3
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
3
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
= both minors (eg
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
x
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
xx
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
AQxxx
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
KJxxx)
3NT= Natural with a heart stopper
4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
= Gerber (for aces only)
4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
= Transfer to 4
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
(If followed by 4NT, Keycard Blackwood)
4NT = Natural
After a 2NT transfer to 3
you can:
(1) Pass
(2) Bid 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
or 3
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
, natural, showing 6-4 with six clubs, forcing.
(3) Bid 3NT slam try in clubs
After a 3
transfer to 3
, you can:
(1) Pass
(2) Bid 3
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
or 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
to show six diamonds and four of the bid suit.
(3) Bid 3NT, a slam try in diamonds
After a 3
transfer to 3
, you can
1. Bid 3NT and give partner a choice of game contracts.
2. Raise to 4
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
(slam try as you did not bid Texas transfer).
3. Bid a new suit, natural, probably 5-5.
4. Bid 4NT, natural, with five.
After a 3
transfer to their suit
1. Accept the transfer to their suit with no major or stopper
2. Bid your major
3. Bid 3NT with a stopper
Note: Transferring into their suit should also be a way of asking partner if he has a stopper in their suit as well as Stayman.
When the NT opener does bid a 4 card major & partner now bids 3NT he does not have a stopper. When you do not do either, scrambling for the best contract commences.
Example 4: NS Vulnerable
W |
N |
E |
S |
|
1NT |
2![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif) |
? |
Double = penalty – D.S.I.P. (Do Something Intelligent, Partner)
2NT = transfer to 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
= transfer to 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
= transfer to 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
= Stayman or 3NT without a stopper (transfer to their suit)
3
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
= both minors
3NT= Natural, with a spade stop.
4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
= Gerber
4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
= Transfer to 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
(If followed by 4NT, Keycard Blackwood)
4NT = Natural
Responses are consistent with the heart overcall. With this treatment , the transfer always shows the suit immediately, in case RHO interferes.
Rubensohl, like Lebensohl …
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Applies when partner makes a 1NT overcall and they interfere.
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
You can give a meaning to transferring into the 2nd bid suit if there is one.
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
D.S.I.P. doubles rather than penalty doubles apply in these auctions also when they interfere after a 1NT overcall by partner.
If RHO Competes
Understandings are also necessary of RHO gets in the act , but these are just common sense. As per other Bridge principles , if they double,
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Bidding is the weakest action.
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Pass denies a fit and leaves room for a penalty double if there is one .
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
A XX is punitive & denies a fit with your suit.
![Spade Suit](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
A Q-bid or 3NT are super accepts even with RHO interfering.