The Basics and More

By Mike Savage

Lebensohl is a convention created to define some of responder’s bids after partner has opened 1NT and there has been an immediate 2-level overcall. In order to differentiate between competitive and forcing bids at the 3-level, 2NT is used as an artificial bid, forcing 3C. Then you can pass or make a competitive bid at the 3-level in a suit lower ranking than the overcall. The most common usage is: 1NT-2 of a suit overcall- 2NT (Lebensohl)-P 3C-P-P-P. An example of this would be: S: xx H: xx D: xxx C: QJ10xxx.

Use of Lebensohl gives up the natural, invitational meaning of 2NT, based on the theory that better than inviting a game in no-trump - which may not exist - is to double the opponents and get a one/two or more trick set. And as to the hands that have marginally invitational values but you can’t be sure of a set – well, they just don’t come up very often. You’ll find it’s better to just pass with these rare hands and use 2NT as Lebensohl instead.

You can still play 2H and 2S on weak hands with a long suit and no game interest. Lebensohl 2NT is commonly played over a 2D, 2H or 2S overcall. When Lebensohl 2NT is used over a two-level overcall and then, after the forced 3C response, responder bids a suit that he could have bid at the 2-level, this shows an invitational hand with a long suit.

Many experienced partnerships using 2NT as Lebensohl, also use it to differentiate between game forcing hands that have a stopper in the opponent’s suit and those that don’t. There are two sequences that show this difference. The first one is: 1NT: 2-level overcall-2NT-P-3C-P-3NT - showing values for game, including a stopper in the opponent’s suit. As opposed to: 1NT: 2-level overcall-3NT - showing values for game, without a stopper in the their suit. The second one is 1NT: 2-level overcall-2NT-P 3C-P-Cue bid of the opponent’s suit - this is major suit Stayman, including a stopper in the opponent’s suit. As opposed to: 1NT: 2-level overcall-Cue bid of the opponent’s suit - this is Stayman without a stopper in their suit. In brief, bidding 2NT on the way to 3NT before Stayman or 2NT, then 3NT shows a stopper and bidding Stayman or 3NT directly denies a stopper.

There are at least two other usages of 2NT in a Lebensohlish way. First: after a weak 2H or 2S opening-Dbl (by partner)-P-2NT. Second: after 1 of a suit (by partner)-a weak 2H or 2S jump overcall-P-P Dbl-P-2NT (example: 1H-2S-P-P Dbl-P-2NT). Both of these 2NT bids can be used to show weak hands (0-6/7 HCP), forcing a 3C rebid by the doubler (unless he has a good suit of his own to bid and/or too many points to risk 3C being passed). After a 3C bid (and partner doesn’t pass), a bid of a suit that wasn’t available at the 2-level shows a weak hand and suggests that it be passed. Since 2NT, after a Dbl, shows a weak hand, now a non-jump response at the 3-level should be constructive (about 8-10/11 HCP).

On page 2 you will find a popular bidding structure that covers bidding after a two level overcall by the opponents over a 1NT opening by your partner - including the ways Lebensohl can be used to show weak hands with long suits; to show or deny no-trump stoppers with forcing hands and sometimes, to show an invitational hand with a long suit.

Bidding after an overcall of partner’s 1NT

(Featuring a standard bidding structure, utilizing Lebensohl)

1NT-Dbl (not for penalty): All your systems over 1NT are on. Rdbl is for penalty (8+HCP)

Dbl ( is for penalty ): Systems on and Rdbl forces 2C in order to play 2C or 2D

1NT-2C (overcall, not showing the majors):

Dbl = Stayman

All the rest of your systems over 1NT, above 2C, are still on

1NT-2D (overcall): Dbl = Penalty

2H = Natural, to play

2S = Natural, to play

2NT = Lebensohl, forces 3C

3C-P-3D = Stayman, with a stopper in the opponent’s suit

3H = Invitational, usually a six-card suit but could be five

3S = Invitational, usually a six-card suit but could be five

3NT = Shows game values with a stopper

3C = Invitational to game

3D = Stayman without a stopper

3H = Forcing with at least a five-card suit

3S = Forcing with at least a five-card suit

3NT = Shows game values without a stopper

1NT-2H (overcall): Dbl = Penalty

2S = Natural, to play

2NT = Lebensohl, forces 3C

3C-P-3D = Natural, to play (some play this mildly constructive)

3H = Stayman with a stopper in the opponent’s suit

3S = Invitational, usually a six-card suit but could be five

3NT = Shows game values with a stopper

3C/3D = Invitational to game

3H = Stayman without a stopper

3S = Forcing with at least a five-card suit

3NT = Shows game values without a stopper

1NT-2S (overcall): Dbl = Penalty

2NT = Lebensohl, forces 3C

3C-P-3D = Natural, to play (some play this mildly constructive)

3H = To play but can be raised with a fit and a maximum

3S = Stayman with a stopper in the opponent’s suit

3NT = Shows game values with a stopper

3C/3D = Invitational to game

3H = Forcing with at least a five-card suit

3S = Stayman without a stopper

3NT = Shows game values without a stopper