[gdawg01]

---

Pard dealt as North and opened 1N (15-17). RHO overcalled 2C (alerted as natural). Sitting with the 7-4-1-1 hand and not playing doubles as stolen bids, I ventured a "confusing" 3H and we ended up in 4H, making 7 when they did not find the spade lead. My question is : How would people show such a hand and bid it to slam? Also what would 3C over 2C mean here?

TIA!

Girish

[Ant590]

This hand depends on whether you play Lebensohl-type methods.

Many people play transfer-style Lebensohl, which would allow you to force to game and explore hearts and diamonds.

If you play only natural methods, I would begin with a natural and game-forcing 3♦ and take it from there.

[Codo]

I would start with 3 Diamond too, GF and diamonds.

1 NT (2♣) 3♦ (pass)

Partner may decide to bid 3 ♥.

Now you now of the double fit, even when 3 Heart shows just four. When the diamond and hearts are solid, you may count 11 tricks, so I would bid 4 NT, hoping that this is RCKB for hearts. After he showed 3KCs, I can ask for the queen and bid 6 Heart with confidence.

When partner has no 3 Heart bid and tries 3 NT, I would set trumps with 4 diamonds, which is RCKB for me and reach 6 Heart after getting to know that partner has 3 aces.

[gdawg01]

Thanks!

Ant- How would the transfer-style Lebensohl work? That is, what are the responses and continuations in this case?

Regards,
G

[aguahombre]

Codo, on Jul 16 2009, 10:20 AM, said:

When partner has no 3 Heart bid and tries 3 NT, I would set trumps with 4 diamonds, which is RCKB for me and reach 6 Heart after getting to know that partner has 3 aces.

Assume you meant 6D, not 6H. 4D RKC for diamonds seems right if partner doesnt show hearts, even if he shows spades, with NT RKC for the Major or 4C agreeing the Major.

[Phil]

Lebensohl does not apply over 2♣ interference.

How would you show diamonds in your system without interference?

[gdawg01]

Phil,

Depends on whom I am playing with. With one pard, I bid 2S transfers to clubs (correct to diamonds) and with another, 2N => a transfer to diamonds. Given our (lack of) methods, a bid of a new suit after the transfer was accepted shows 4+ in the suit and slam interest.

-G

[kenrexford]

Weird question. "We play something strange over 2♣, but we don't know what _____ means. What should ______ mean?"

I would just play what most people play over 2♣, namely systems on with X as Stayman. No problem, then.

[Ant590]

gdawg01, on Jul 16 2009, 04:30 PM, said:

Thanks!

Ant- How would the transfer-style Lebensohl work? That is, what are the responses and continuations in this case?

Regards,
G

Ken and Phil are much more experienced than I so I would suggest the methods they propose --- no Lebensohl over 2♣ and double is Stayman, respectively --- are superior.

However, a partner and I decided some time ago to play transfer Lebensohl after any interference, including 2♣, so bids of 2NT and higher are transfers. 2NT here (transfer into their suit) would be Staymanic for us. To show a hand like the OP we would bid 3♣ to show diamonds, then rebid 3♥. This would only show 5-4, however.

[mike777]

If 2c or any two bid is natural then:
double=penalties
cuebid=stayman
2 level bids to play
3 level to force
invite only in a higher ranking suit=2nt and then rebid the higher ranking suit.

If 2c is anything else then x =stayman and system on.

On this hand start with 3c or 3d then etc.