Monday,
March 05, 2007 5:07 PM
Hand Evaluation - ELC ( Pre-empts )
PITBULLS:
Advocates of equal level conversion
know that the concept is quite common at
the 2 level after a T/O double or
after a balancing double. T/O doubles without clubs or diamonds at any level
are very common among IMP players. You in effect “scramble “
to your best spot at an equal level.
What is not so obvious is equal
level conversion is applicable after pre-empts at the 2 , 3
& even 4 level. Pre-empts put pressure
on you. You cannot always have the classic T/O double when they make a pre-empt. Equal level conversion is an excellent example
of the “games
before slams” concept. You should not
interpret a new suit bid at the same level as a Q bid. You have not even found a spot
for your game
yet alone think of a slam. When slam is in the
cards , there will be clarifying bidding
later in the auction. Your initial interpretation of partners bid should be
that it is a suit.
She does not have your suit even though she
doubled for T/O.
Does equal level conversion mean we
have a two suiter in the traditional sense ? No it does not , as you
could even be 4-4. This artificial
looking hand actually occurred in a Bermuda Bowl. ♠KJ10x ♥AJ
♦AQJx ♣xxx opposite ♠AQxx ♥KQ ♦Kxxx ♣xxx . You are vul ,
they are not with a 3♣ opener to your right. This vulnerability, it is not advisable to trap with no club wastage.
You do not have wasted values
in clubs so trapping should be out of the question. You
“manufacture” a bid so you double. If partner bids 3♥ , you convert to
3♠ at the same level . Partner should read you for spades & diamonds
with enough values to be at the 3 level.. On the
actual hands , you find your 4-4 spade fit with no
problem.
Soloway
& Goldman do not play equal level conversion so Soloway
was reluctant to double. He manufactured a 3♦ overcall , Goldman leapt to 5♦ down one so 12
IMPS out of the window. Which is the best lie ? A T/O
double or overcalling at the 3 level on a 4 card suit ?
In the days of equal level conversion , get to your game before thinking of slam. Pre-empts were
designed to make things rough on you.
Two hands in Calgary recently show
the equal level conversion assisting us with the opponents pre-empts. The
opponents open 2♠ vul & RHO bids 4♠. Kiz Fung held ♠Q ♥QJ109 ♦KQ109xx
♣Ax & was not vul .
There are two bids that come to mind when you hold two suits. She could
bid 4NT & when partner bids clubs convert to diamonds so partner knows the
2nd suit is hearts. However , the best bid
giving the most options is the double.
Your hand has defense with your 14 HCP so if the
vul opponents are out of line ,
partner can convert for penalty with
♠J9xx or the like. If partner bids clubs , you
make an equal level conversion at the 5 level & bid 5♦. On this hand
partner bids 5♥ which goes for –50 & 4♠ goes one down. Your partners are
+170 however so there is a 14 IMP swing in these cards when you bid 5♦ singlehandedly
& go for -500.
‘
My partner had a hand in Calgary
where partner equal level conversion takes place at the 6 level ! In 3rd seat vul the opponents open 3♣. My partner decided not to
enter the frey with ♠AJ ♥KJ10x ♦QJxxxxx
♣void . They bid 4♣ & partner backed in with a double. You play an
“equal level conversion” style so partner may just have the majors. I held ♠Q10xx ♥A9876x
♦A ♣xx . Playing the equal level conversion method of T/O doubles
, partner can not leap to 6♦ as I may not even hold
diamonds. Instead , partner leaps to 6♣ !! The
equal level conversion takes place at the rarified 6 level as I must bid my
lower ranking suit ! I bid 6♥ & all pass
making 7♥.