[Bende]

In Garozzo's system Ambra, he uses Rubensohl transfers after interference over 1♣, which shows 2+♣. However, there is one thing that seems strange and that I don't quite understand. Perhaps someone on this forum can help.

It goes something like this:

1♣ - (2x) -
dbl = takeout
2y = weak
2NT+ = transfer

Transfer to a suit shows 5+ and inv+ if the suit could be shown on the 2-level, otherwise it is weak or strong (opener accepts the transfer and responder bids on with game forcing values). Transfer to opps suit is Staymanish and asking for stop. Opener accepts the transfer without a stop but otherwise bid some descriptive bid. There is an exception when opponents bid spades, in case 3♥ is an invitational hand while 3♠ shows a game forcing balanced hand with exactly 4♥.

So far so good. Let's say that the opponents interfere with 2♦:

1♣ - (2♦) -
dbl = takeout, can be invitational with a club suit
2♥♠ = weak
2NT = clubs, weak or strong
...

That dbl can contain an invitational hand with clubs is not too bad, since opener will likely bid 2 of a major (unless fourth hand preempts) and 3♣ from responder will then show a suit and values. Now, if opponents interfere with 2♥:

1♣ - (2♥) -
dbl = takeout, can be invitational with a either minor (not specified explicitly in Ambra)
2♠ = weak
2NT = clubs, weak or strong
3♣ = diamonds, weak or strong
...

This is slightly more awkward, since if opener does not have spades, he might bid 3♦ with for example 3343, x44x or even for example 3352 if 1♣ contains all balanced hands without 5M. If it turns out that responder has an invitational hand with clubs, he is pretty much stuck, isn't he? Interference with 2♠ causes the same problem if responder has an invitational hand with a minor (not if responer has hearts, because the system covers that by using two bids, 3♦ and 3♥, to differentiate between different strengths).

I feel I must be missing something, but I am not sure how this is suppoosed to work.

[hanp]

We play something similar but with tranfer lebensohl. 2NT is any strength with clubs or competitive with a lower ranking suit. (lower ranking than the opponents' suit that is, not lower ranking than clubs.)

Other transfers are at least invitational. You can't invite in clubs.

[Bende]

That's sounds very similar, and it could very well be the "solution" that it is simply not possible to invite with a minor when the opponents interfere with 2M.

[Mbodell]

hanp, on Jan 20 2010, 06:32 AM, said:

We play something similar but with tranfer lebensohl. 2NT is any strength with clubs or competitive with a lower ranking suit. (lower ranking than the opponents' suit that is, not lower ranking than clubs.)

Other transfers are at least invitational. You can't invite in clubs.

Yep, that's what I play too. You can invite in diamonds by bidding 3♣ but you can't invite in clubs. You can, however, show game forcing hands with primary clubs and secondarily a higher suit by transferring to clubs and then bidding the higher suit.

[Gerben42]

I find that transfer lebensohl gets really expensive in situations where you're not sure if Leb applies...

[skaftij]

Bende, on Jan 20 2010, 09:25 AM, said:

This is slightly more awkward, since if opener does not have spades, he might bid 3♦ with for example 3343, x44x or even for example 3352 if 1♣ contains all balanced hands without 5M.

In Polish club, opener is allowed to rebid 2NT without a stopper. Often, opener will have an advantage in declaring notrumps with as little as 10x in enemy suit.

[straube]

You can kind of have your club invite...by letting opener "super-accept". Something like...

1C-2H

.....2S-nf
.....2N-requests 3C
..........3C-minimum
...............3D-weak
...............3H-3-1-(54)
...............3S-4S/5C
...............3N-clubs, no stopper
..........3D-extras, good fit for clubs
...............P-weak, diamonds
.....3C-invitational+ diamonds
..........3D-min
...............3H-stopper ask
...............3S-4S/5D
.....3D-stayman
..........3H-no stopper
..........3S-four spades, stopper
.....3H-invitational+ spades
.....3S-5/5 minors
.....3N-stopper