Lebensohl Revisited

16^th July – Board 15. North/South Game. Dealer South.

Decent enough contracts don’t always have to make, with bidding correctly perhaps being more important than the result.

	North: S 7 5 4 H K 9 8 7 5 3 D 6 2 C K 10
West: S K H A J 10 D J 10 7 5 3 C A Q J 2		East: S J 10 2 H Q 4 D A K 8 4 C 6 5 4 3
	South: S A Q 9 8 6 3 H 6 2 D Q 9 C 9 8 7

West	North	East	South
			2S
Dbl	No	3D	No
3S	No	4D	No
5D	End

West does not have an easy bid over 2S but doubling must be the best option despite partner thinking you might have a four card heart suit. When North passes East is obliged to bid so it is necessary for that person to indicate whether they have any values or not and they can do this by using Lebensohl. With a poor hand  - say seven or less points – they bid 2NT, demanding partner to bid 3C which they either pass if that is their suit or correct to the right one. So here 3D shows some values and West knows that there must be a shot at game. He might investigate 3NT first, so 3S asks for a spade stop and when one is not forthcoming the diamond game is bid. I know it needs a bit of luck but it’s just about worth being in, although with both key finesses not working the game is doomed to failure.