What should I Bid? - Best enquiry for October 2007

Jackie Phillips made the best submission for the month of October.

Hand: With NS vulnerable, South is dealer and West holds:

65  98752  82  Q854

Bidding:	West	North	East	South
				2
	Pass	Pass	Double	Pass
	?

Comments:    What would one do without Lebensohl as part of the arsenal? If you make a heart a diamond what would one do even playing Lebensohl? 

Peter's Reply:

Hi Jackie,

There would be no choice except to bid 3 and expect to go down in 4 or 3NT doubled. So many fall in love with their 17 HCPs, force a bid from partner and insist on bidding game despite the fact that they don't have the values for the bid.

If Lebensohl is available to the partnership, simply start with 2NT and re-bid 3 if that is the partnership's method to show a weak hand.

Lacking the fifth heart ought make no difference to your actions i.e. start with 2NT and follow with 3. However, if you are aware that partner is prone to overbidding in such situations, you might attempt to contain the situation by Passing after partner accepts the 2NT relay with the standard 3 continuation. What you might subsequently do if 3 is doubled for penalties is dependent on temperament and partnership morale.

If you end up in silly games after the opponent's pre-empts, it is usually because the strong hand lacks restraint.

Regards
Peter Fordham

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