Monday, March 05, 2007 5:07 PM

Hand Evaluation - Equal Level Conversion & 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 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 can not always have the classic T/O double when they make a pre-empt. Equal level conversion is an excellent example of “games before slams”. 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 let alone think of a slam. If 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.

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. With this vulnerability, it is not advisable to trap. You do not have values in clubs ( duplication ) 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. On the actual hands , you find your 4-4 spade fit with no problem.

Soloway & Goldman did not play equal level conversion in those days 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. Equal level conversion helps you combat their tactics.

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 & if partner bids clubs, convert to diamonds so partner knows the 2^nd suit is hearts. However , the best bid giving the most options with two suits is the double. Your hand has defense with your 14 HCP ( 2 quick tricks ) so if the vul opponents are out of line , partner can convert 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 there is a 14 IMP swing in these cards . If you bid 5♦ single-handedly , you suffer the ignominy of going for -500. Let partner in on the secret that you have a 2^nd suit & defense. Do not treat a hand with two suits as you would a hand with one suit.

My partner had a hand in Calgary where partner equal level conversion takes place at the 6 level ! In 3^rd seat vul the opponents open 3♣. Partner decided not to enter the frey with ♠AJ ♥KJ10x ♦QJxxxxx ♣void . They bid 4♣ & I 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 ! I bid 6♥ & all pass making 7♥. Equal level conversion is a hand evaluation concept to assist you in finding your fit with off shape doubles or even Q bids. Grasping this concept will improve your bidding immensely.