Lebensohl

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This article concerns contract bridge and uses terminology associated with the game. See Contract bridge glossary for an explanation of unfamiliar words or phrases.

Lebensohl is bridge convention used after an opponent's intervention over 1NT opening bid. It emerged "in wild" in 1960s and was subsequently attributed to Kenneth Lebensold as a misspell, but he denied any contribution. The article about it appeared in 1970. in The Bridge World, by George Boehm. The convention emerged out of need that the partner of 1NT opening bidder effectively competes over RHO's overcall without committing the partnership to the game.

1 Basic structure (after 1NT opening by partner)
2 In other positions
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Basic structure (after 1NT opening by partner)

The basic outline after the sequence (1NT by partner-2x by RHO) is:

2 in any suit – natural, non-forcing,
3 in any suit except overcalled – natural, forcing to game,
cuebid (3 in overcalled suit) – akin to Stayman convention, inquiring the partner about 4-card major and promising a stopper in the overcalled suit,
3NT – to play, promising a stopper,
2NT – a relay bid forcing the opener to bid 3♣; after that:
- 3 in suit of lower rank than overcalled – natural, non-forcing,
- 3 in suit of higher rank than overcalled – natural, invitational,
- cuebid – Stayman as above, but denying a stopper in the overcalled suit,
- 3NT – to play, denying a stopper.

In summary, the responder usually must decide whether he has a sign-off or a game-forcing hand (i.e. invitations are not possible except in the case where the responder's suit is above overcaller's suit). He may freely bid a sign-off on level 2 if there's room, or via 2NT otherwise. With game-forcing hand, he should bid directly on level 3 to promise a stopper, or via 2NT to deny it.

The above description describes so-called "slow denies" variant, where strong hands must bid 2NT first to deny a stopper. In the "slow shows" variant, direct bid of level 3 denies a stopper and 2NT promises it.

[edit] In other positions

Using 2NT as a puppet to 3♣ is often used in other positions and is usually attributed the same name.

[edit] After a weak 2

After a weak 2 opening and a take out double Lebensohl is used to enable a better indication of the strength of the responder to the doubler.

For Example after (2♠) X (p) ?:

With 0-7 points 2NT is bid forcing a relay of 3♣. This is either passed or corrected to another suit.
With 8-11 points suits are bid at the 3 level.
With values for game it is just bid.

If there is space to bid a suit at the 2 level; e.g. after (2♥) X (p) ? and the suit held is spades:

With 0-7 points bid 2S
With 8-11 points 2NT is bid forcing a relay of 3♣. Then 3♠ is bid showing the invite.
3♠ is now game forcing.

With a very strong hand the doubler can by-pass 3♣.

[edit] After a Major is raised to the two level

The same scheme can be played after the sequence: (1Y) p (2Y) X

[edit] After a non-game-forcing reverse

After the sequence 1♦ (p) 1♠ (p) 2♥ (p) ?:

2♠ shows a weak hand with spades
2NT shows a minimum hand and forces 3♣. Preference is usually then given for openers suits.
Any other bid is now game forcing.

This has the effect of saving space when responder wants to game force and show support.