Rubensohl
|
Can anybody provide, or give me a web link to, a write-up of the Rubinsohl convention or other bids that extend Lebensohl by adding a transfer mechanism? 1NT-2? 2 of a suit: to play there. X : Penalty 2 NT..3H: Transfer to the next higher suit. 3 S : Asks for a stopper for NT, usually with a long minor, opener bids 3NT with and 4C without a stopper. 3 NT : To play 4. |
Whatever you play right now. 1NT-2x-(2NT..3H): If responder transfers to a new suit (e.g. 1NT-2S-3D(=H)), then the bid shows 5+ in the suit and invitational or better values. Opener now accepts the transfer to reject the invitation (1NT-2S-3D-P, 3H) or bids something else (1NT-2S-3D-P, (3NT, 4H, ...) to accept it. If responder transfers to their suit (1NT-2S-3H (transfer to S), the bid replaces Stayman.
As responses, I usually use: 1NT-2H-3D-P, 3H : Not 4S or a H stopper --- 3S : 4S, no H stopper ---3NT: H stopper but not 4S.
Over 1NT-2S-3H-P, the bids are 3S, 4H, 3NT 1NT-2D-3C-P, -- 3D: No D stopper --- 3H(S): D stopper, 4H(S), where 3S denies 4H. -- 3NT: D stopper but not 4H/S.
1NT-2D-3C-P 3C-P- 3H(S): 4H(S), where 3S denies 4H. And the same structure over 1NT-2C-2NT or other bids that extend Lebensohl by adding a transfer mechanism.
Kokish uses standard Lebensohl (in a weak NT framework), but has added: 1NT-2S-3D : Invitational or better with hearts 3H : Forcing with diamonds.
For Rubensohl, there is a variation where 2NT shows either a weak hand with a red suit OR invitational plus with clubs: 1NT-2S-2NT-P, 3C : Does not accept the invitation -P -P Clubs, inv 3D/H D/H, weak hand 3S.. Clubs, GF 1NT-2S-2NT-P 3D Accepts invitation -P -P/3H To play 3S.. Clubs. This allows you to play in 3 of a red suit without inviting game, something that isn't possible in standard Lebensohl.
Also, if you use this system, do your at the table experiences lead you to think that it improves standard lebensohl?
Yes, I've played it for 10 years and think that, playing strong NT's, this is an improvement. The main advantage comes whenever the 4th hand bids, like: 1NT - 2 H - 2 NT (Lebensohl) - 3/4H Now, opener has no idea where responder is going (sign-off in a minor, Stayman, Invitational with 5+S, ...) and thus cannot bid anything. Also, responder doesn't have a clue what opener has, so any bid by him is a guess. Playing Rubensohl, opener knows what responder is up to and can act accordingly. In a weak NT framework, I prefer Lebensohl as I like to keep the competitive bids of 3 in a suit.