| Lebensohl-Another Variation |
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This week's hand was hand 17 played on 5 January 2012.
In the sequence shown, 2NT was another variation of the Lebensohl convention (see hand of the week of 24 November 2011). After the opponents have shown a fit, 2NT is hardly ever required as a natural bid. Using it as a Lebensohl bid in the sequence shown enabled East to compete. If he had bid 3♦ this would have been forcing so he started with 2NT requesting partner to relay bid 3♣. He intended to bid a non forcing 3♦ if the bidding had come back to him.
As West had extra values he broke the relay bid of 3♣. His 3♠ bid showed extra values for the original take out double and sought a stop in spades for a 3NT contract.When East bid 4♦, West knew there was likely to be a weakish hand opposite probably with 6 or more diamonds. Not only was there a very good diamond fit, West judged well that the small values his partner had were likely to be working well for them, and so bid an aggressive 5♦.
The play of the hand was relatively straightforward once declarer decided to play for a 2/2 break in the diamond suit.
Nicely bid by East/West but could North/South have done better? Personally I would have opened a weak 2♠ with the South hand and after a double from West, North should preempt to 4♠, to play at the level of ten tricks which is equal to their expected number of total trumps ( Law of Total Tricks). This will now make it very tough for East/West to find the diamond game.
Michael Whittaker
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