2.2 When They Interfere after 1NT
Lebensohl after Natural Overcalls
When the opponents make a natural overcall, our normal systems are off. We sacrifice the invitational 2NT bid, and change it into a relay to 3♣. This allows us to distinguish between the strength of bids at the three-level, and/or to show or deny a stopper in the enemy suit. With the flat 8-9 HCP hands that would have bid an invitational 2NT, we double.
| Dbl |
To play |
| 2NT |
Relay to 3♣ |
| 3♣ |
Natural, forcing |
| 3♦ |
Natural, forcing |
| 3♥ |
Natural, forcing |
| 3♠ |
Stayman, denies a spade stopper |
| 3NT |
Values to play in 3NT, no spade stopper |
| 4♣ |
Gerber |
| 4♦ |
Texas Transfer to hearts |
| 4♥ |
Texas Transfer to spades |
| They | We | They | We |
|---|
| |
1NT |
2♠ |
2NT |
| Pass |
3♣ |
Pass |
? |
| Pass |
To play |
| 3♦ |
To play |
| 3♥ |
To play |
| 3♠ |
Stayman — with a spade stopper (“slow shows”) |
| 3NT |
To play — shows a spade stopper |
When it is possible to bid your suit naturally at the two level, you can add an invitational sequence.
| Dbl |
To play |
| 2♥ |
To play |
| 2♠ |
To play |
| 2NT |
Relay to 3♣ |
| 3♣ |
Natural, forcing |
| 3♦ |
Stayman, denies a diamond stopper |
| 3♥ |
Natural and forcing |
| 3♠ |
Natural and forcing |
| 3NT |
Values to play in 3NT, no diamond stopper |
| 4♣ |
Gerber |
| 4♦ |
Texas Transfer to hearts |
| 4♥ |
Texas Transfer to spades |
| They | We | They | We |
|---|
| |
1NT |
2♦ |
2NT |
| Pass |
3♣ |
Pass |
? |
| Pass |
To play |
| 3♦ |
Stayman, shows a diamond stopper |
| 3♥ |
Natural and invitational |
| 3♠ |
Natural and invitational |
| 3NT |
To play, shows a diamond stopper |
Bidding after Artificial Systems