DEFENSE AGAINST OPPONENTS PREEMPTS
Candace Griffey
February 26, 2008
When the opponents open a weak-2 bid, what are the requirements for making a take-out double? As with one-level take-out doubles, the minimum requirements are opening hand values and support for all the unbid suits. An absolute minimum vulnerable TO double over a weak 2D bid would look something like:
KXXX
QXXX
XX
AKX
This takeout double can range from this hand to twenty plus points.
LEBENSOHL OVER WEAK 2-BIDS
Lebensohl (2N relay* to 3C) is used when the opponents open a weak 2-bid and partner makes a takeout double. Responder can have a wide range of points and it is important to be able to describe whether you are weak (0-7), invitational (8-10) or forcing (11+).
With the weak hand:
· Advancer bids at the 2-level with a higher ranking suit
(2D) Dbl (P) 2H/2S
(2H) Dbl (P) 2S
· Advancer bids 2N (Leb) with a lower ranking suit
(2D) Dbl (P) 2NT
(P) 3C* (P) Pass
(2H) Dbl (P) 2NT
(P) 3C (P) 3D
(2S) Dbl (P) 2NT
(P) 3C (P) 3D/3H
*If opener is too strong to play in 3C, a hand that is strong enough to double and correct or strong enough to make game opposite less than 8 points, opener must reject the relay and make another descriptive bid. If this bid is less than game, it shows a very good hand, but is not 100% forcing. If you have no fit and no points, you may pass.
With the invitational hand:
· Advancer bids at the 3-level with a lower ranking suit
(2D) Dbl (P) 3C
(2H) Dbl (P) 3C/3D
(2S) Dbl (P) 3C/3D/3H
· Advancer bids at the 3-level in a higher ranking 5-card suit
(2D) Dbl (P) 3H – invitational with 5 hearts
(2H) Dbl (P) 3S – invitational with 5 spades
· Advancer bids 2N (Leb) with 4 cards in a higher ranking suit
(2D) Dbl (P) 2N
(P) 3C (P) 3H – invitational with 4 hearts
(2H) Dbl (P) 2N
(P) 3C (P) 3S - invitational with 4 spades
With the forcing hand:\
· Advancer jumps to game in his suit
· Advancer bids 3NT – good stoppers, “I want to play 3NT”
· 2NT followed by 3NT (Leb) - shows a single stopper (Ax, Axx, Kx, Qxx) and shows doubt. Doubler may consider other contracts.
· Cuebid - unlimited hand. Usually no stopper. Doubler should bid descriptively.
This could be a hand like: (2H) Dbl (P)
QJX, QX, AKXX, KXXX
· 2NT (Leb) followed by a cuebid – 4 of the other major and a stopper
(slow shows) or diamond
stopper and at least 1 major over (2D)
Is Lebensohl used in balancing seat? (2D) P (P) Dbl?
Other methods over opponents weak 2-bids:
· (2H) 3H Bid 3NT with a heart stopper
(2S) 3S Bid 3NT with a spade stopper
· (2D/H/S) 2NT 15-18 with a stopper (systems on)
· (2D/H/S) 3NT Could be 19+ with good stoppers or could
be a long suit with a stopper
LEAPING MICHAELS OVER WEAK 2-BIDS
Leaping Michaels is used when the opponents open a weak 2-bid and you have a
2-suited (at least 5/5), forcing to game hand. This is a very strong hand that partner of LM’s bidder is not allowed to pass below game.
· (2D) 3D = both majors
4C = clubs and hearts (clubs tied to hearts)
4D = clubs and spades (diamonds tied to spades)
· (2H) 4C = clubs and spades (the other major and the
4D = diamonds and spades minor I’m bidding)
· (2S) 4C = clubs and hearts (the other major and the
4D = diamonds and hearts minor I’m bidding)
Other auctions:
· (2D) 4NT = Blackwood
· (2H) 4H = Both minors – VERY strong
(2H) 4N = Both minors – weaker than 4H
· (2S) 4S = Both minors – VERY strong
4N = Both minors – weaker than 4S
· (3H) 4H spades and a minor, game forcing
· (3D)(3C) 4D(4C) both majors, game forcing
· (3S) 4S hearts and a minor, game forcing
· (4S) 4NT 2 suits - clubs and diamonds, or diamonds and hearts
· (4H) 4NT 2 suits – clubs and diamonds or diamonds and spades
· (4C) (4D) 4NT natural
Notes:
I play a double of an opening through four spades is takeout. It is “intended as take-out” but partner will often pass 4S doubled.
A jump in a new suit over a preempt is natural and strength-showing.
(2D) 3H/3S = natural and stronger than 2H/2S
(2H) 3S = natural and stronger than 2S
LHO opens 2D, partner doubles, RHO passes, what should you bid with:
1. KQXX, XXX, QXX, TXX
2. XX, AQXXX, XX, KXXX
3. XXX, KX, TXX, QJXXX
4. XXX, KXX, AQX, QXXX
5. KJTX, AXX, XX, QXXX
6. QJX, KXX, QX, AKXXX
7. XX, AXX, KJTXX, XXX
8. XX, AQXXX, XX, AQXX
9. AXX, KXX, QJX, QJXX
LHO opens 2S, partner doubles, RHO passes, what should you bid with:
1. JXXX, XX, QXXXX, XX
2. X, KQJXX, XXX, AXXX
3. AQT, XX, QJXX, KXXX
4. AXX, QXX, KJXX, QXX
5. XX, JXX, KXX, AJXXX
6. KXX, XX, JTX, QTXXX
7. KJT8X, KX, XX, XXXX
RHO opens 2H, you double, partner bids 2N, what should you bid with:
1. AKXX, XX, KXXX, AQX
2. AQXX,X, AKXXX, AJX
RHO opens 2H, what should you bid with:
1. AXXX, KQX, KQX, KXX
2. AKQXX, X, KQJXXX, X
3. AQX, X, AKQJTXX, KX
4. X, X, AKQXX, KQJTXX
5. KQXX, XX, KQX, AXXX
6. AX, KJTXX, AX, QXXX
7. X, -, AKXXXX, AKJXXX
RHO opens 2D, what should you bid with:
1. AQJXX, KQJXX, X, XX
2. AQJXX, XX, X AKQXX
3. XX, AQJXX, -, AKJXXX