This Week in Bridge
(601) Transfer Lebensohl Vs. Weak Jump Overcalls (WJO)
©AiB Robert S. Todd
Level: 10 of 10 robert@advinbridge.com
General
Transfers are an extremely useful tool for competitive bidding. So are relay bids, like the way we use 2NT in a Lebensohl auction. We can play a useful system, like Transfer Lebensohl, in a variety of different situations. Let’s see how we can use these methods after partner opens the bidding and the opponents take away our bidding space with a Weak Jump Overcall.
Transfer Lebensohl Responses Vs. WJO
Let’s look at how we use this system to compete in the bidding.
Example 1
Opener Interferer Responder
1♦ 2♠ __?
X Negative Double, about 9+ points
2NT* Relay to 3♣ (same as Lebensohl), to compete in some suit at the 3-level
3♣* Transfer, 5+card ♦, 10+ points
3♦* Transfer, 5+card ♥, 10+ points
3♥* Transfer, 5+ card ♣, Game Forcing Values
3♠* Western Cuebid, Game Forcing (no stopper)
3NT To play
Example 2
Opener Interferer Responder
1♣ 2♥ __?
X Negative Double, about 8+ points
2♠ Natural, Non-Forcing, 5+card ♠
2NT* Relay to 3♣ (same as Lebensohl), to compete in some suit at the 3-level
3♣* Transfer, 5+card ♦, 10+ points
3♦* Transfer, 5+card ♠, 10+ points
3♥* Western Cuebids, Game Forcing (no stopper)
3♠* Transfer, 5+card ♣, Game Forcing values
3NT To Play
We can even use this convention when we open the bidding 1♥.
Example 3
Opener Interferer Responder
1♥ 2♠ __?
X Negative Double, about 9+ points
2NT* Relay to 3♣ (same as Lebensohl), to compete in some suit at the 3-level
3♣* Transfer, 5+card ♦, 10+ points
3♦* Transfer, 3+card ♥, 10+ points
3♥* Transfer, 5+card ♣, Game Forcing values
3♠* Western Cuebids, Game Forcing (no stopper)
3NT To Play
Conclusion
If you like competitive bidding systems, especially those that use transfer bids, then consider using a system like Transfer Lebensohl to help you deal with the opponents’ competitive bidding systems. These transfer bids allow Responder to show a long suit and good values, while allowing the auction to stop below game. Consider adding this to your competitive bidding agreements - you’ll find it helpful!