Posted 2008-December-16, 15:07
I think that double, then 3♥ over the lebensohl 2N is the best bid, by a significant margin. The reason I don't like 3N over 2N is that even if we escape disaster on the opening lead (and we rate to do so most times) we really have no source of tricks... we need partner to have a little something, and often-times that little something will include something in hearts, and he will bid 3N.
IOW, I would expect that 3♥ would get us to a significant number of making games and keep us out of a significant number of failing games, while 3N is an outright gamble that won't significantly improve the number of times we reach a good game.
As it is, I'd like to be playing redouble as expressing doubt, but absent that agreement, I'd pull to 4♣.. I have a very, very clear understanding of the double... he holds the heart A, some length, and some strength.
'one of the great markers of the advance of human kindness is the howls you will hear from the Men of God' Johann Hari
(2♥) - x - (P) - 2NT*
(P) - ?