Tuesday, January 31, 2006 5:26 AM

Hand Evaluation - Hearts & Diamonds ( ELC )

PITBULLS:

We have written articles that the lowly club suit does not have rights that other suits have. If you have bought into the “equal level conversion” philosophy , you know that clubs are not needed for a T/O double. Being the lowest ranking suit in the deck , you convert clubs to another suit at the same level so you show the other two suits. Lets discuss hearts & diamonds specifically.

They open 1♠ , you have ♠xx ♥AKJx ♦AJxxxx x so do you overcall 2♦ ? If you do & they bid a number of spades , you have for all intents & purposes lost the heart suit. Partner holds ♠xxx ♥Qxxxx ♦x ♣Axxx so is she supposed to respond to a 2♦ overcall ? She passes , so +620 in hearts goes out the window. What about ♠xx ♥AKxx ♦AKxxx ♣xx , a spade opener ? Do you overcall 2♦ & miss your heart fit ? Both these hands , playing equal level conversion , you can get away with a T/O double.

They open a weak 2♠ , you have ♠xxx ♥AQ109 ♦AKJxx ♣x again equal level conversion applies at the 3 level also. You have good enough cards to double & pull partners 3♣ bid to 3♦ at the same level. Also since you have good defense , a double describes your hand bettor. If partner converts the double for penalty, you will be happy or if partner bids 3NT that is fine also. An overcall normally describes a single suited hand. You overcall 2♠ with 3♦ so the last thing partner expects is a heart suit .

What if the red suits were reversed in length ? ♠xxx ♥AKJxx ♦AQ109 ♣x , they open a weak 2♠ . What are the pro’s & cons of a double rather than overcalling hearts ? I think playing equal level conversion , you can get away with a double also. You are not going to lose the heart suit as your double of spades pretty well shows hearts. Partner bids 3♣ & you can convert to 3♥ which at the same level shows the 5^th heart since you bypassed diamonds but again should not show a rock playing the ELC style. I think this sequence should just show a heart overcall with diamonds as a side suit. I held this hand with Dora tonight & got a bad result. I chose to overcall 3♥ & Dora held ♠xx ♥Q ♦Jxxxxx ♣Kxxx . She passed , with a 5-1 heart break I went one down in 3♥. Meanwhile our 6-4 diamond fit makes many diamonds L . Change her hand to ♠x ♥Q ♦Jxxxxx ♣Axxxx , we may be on for 6♦ so the heart overcall showing one suit has just destroyed the auction.

With equal level conversion , you do not have to convert to the cheapest suit. If you convert to the higher ranking suit, you are showing extra length. ♠A109xx ♥AKJx ♦xxx ♣x & they open 1♦ . Playing equal level conversion has the advantage of preventing a 1♠ overcall with this hand. You double & partner holds ♠x ♥Qxxxx ♦xx ♣Axxxx so you get to your +650 in hearts instead of going one down in one spade !! What if partner bids 2♣. I think you can get away with a 2♠ bid. It is an equal level conversion but you are showing the 5^th card. Partner has ♠Kxx ♥xx ♦xxx ♣Jxxxx so you have landed on your feet. In the worst case scenario you are in two spades going down & the overcallers are in 1♠ going down. Equal level conversion should be thought of as just a scramble to the best spot not showing extra values.

You play Michael’s Q bids as either weak or very strong. A Tormentee held this hand ♠x ♥KJxxx ♦AQJ10x ♣Ax & they opened 1♠ too her right. This hand has quick tricks & with the intermediate range does not qualify for a Michael’s bid. You play equal level conversion , so you start with a double. Partner bids 2♣ so you bypass 2♦ & bid 3♦ to show a stronger hand in the reds as you forced partner to the 3 level . Partner has ♠xxxx ♥AQ10 ♦xx ♣Kxxx & you may get to your 50 % +1430 heart slam !.

Equal level conversion is a scramble to combat “Bridge is a bidders game” & get in their showing both suits rather than overcalling indicating one suit. With the frequency of weak two’s increasing , you need more & more off shape doubles in the direct & balancing spot. This is to catch them speeding or scramble to your best spot. Equal level conversion. Do not leave home without it !!