Friday, February 13, 2004 4:31 AM

Hand Evaluation – 4 Level Doubles ( Lebensohl )

PITBULLS:

The Bartons have an understanding about pulling high level doubles that we like. When partner doubles 4♥ or 4♠ with any bidding sequence either directly for takeout or penalty , belately , balancing or whatever, Lebensohl comes into effect. It makes perfect sense as you obtain an extra inference at this lofty level. When you have a flat weak hand, you pass hoping to beat it. When you have a flat defensive good hand , you leave the double in & collect your telephone # . Only one simple rule – 4NT demands a relay to 5♣ so all subsequent bids are now weak. When you bid directly , you expect to make your contract .There are only three types of hands that you would pull the double 1) you have a weak distributional freak that that might make your way or “taking out insurance” in case they make it. 2) you have a good distributional hand that you feel will make & the penalty will not offset your game or 3) you wish to make a slam try. Cases 2 & 3 obviously turn on forcing passes

I had a hand tonight with Maurice that fits the system . ♠xx ♥Qxx ♦xx ♣QJ1098x . Everyone vul , Maurice opened 1♦ & RHO overcalls 1♠ . I pass , LHO bids 4♠ which Maurice doubles. Around to you so now what ? You are not going to get rich in 4♠ doubled , in fact they might make it. Why not take out some insurance & pull the double ? You do not want to convey to partner that you are bidding this to make or suggesting slam so you bid 4NT . Partner bids 5♣ & gets doubled but goes one down . –790 for 4♠ doubled making was the popular result.

Maurice’s hand was ♠x ♥A9xx ♦AQJ10x ♣AKx so if the ♦ King was on side he would have been +750 !! O.K. modify my hand slightly by giving me the ♦ king. ♠xx ♥Qxx ♦Kx ♣QJ1098x . The auction would have gone the same way as I have no bid over a ♠ overcall but this time I would pull the double to 5♣ suggesting that I can make game. Maurice could bid 6♣ so we would be +1370 .

It does not matter how the auctions progress ( overcalls , takeout doubles , opening pre-empts ), the rules for pulling the double of their major at the 4 level remains the same . You hold ♠xx ♥Q10xxxxx ♦xx ♣xx , partner opens 1♦ with the spade overcall again . LHO bids 2♠ , partner doubles with RHO bidding 4♠ . Pass around to partner who doubles again. You bid 4NT , partner bids 5♣ ( he does not have to with a solid ♦ suit ) so you bid 5♥ . Partner is ♠x ♥Axx ♦AKxxx ♣Axxx & you have a chance at your contract ! With the same auction you could have had ♠xx ♥AQ10xxx ♦xx ♣xxx so you would pull the double to 5♥ suggesting that you can make game on the auction.

Maurice opened 4♥ tonight so around to Steve Bates in the balancing spot. Steve doubled with his flat 22 HCP hand , Scott pulled the double to 5♣ . Now what ? Playing Lebensohl after 4♥/♠ the decision is easy. If Scott wanted to run , he would bid 4NT as a relay to 5♣. The 5♣ bid directly shows values so a 6NT contract makes. They did not play Lebensohl , so Steve passed missing their slam as it was just a guess to bid again.

The reverse scenario should also be true . When responder doubles the 4 of a major & opener wants to pull. Pulling the double is not a sign of weakness . If you opened on a distributional dog, pull to 4NT & convert partners 5♣ bid. Pulling the double directly is encouraging so a mild slam try. Remember Lebensohl applies in all situations when you are pulling doubles at a high level – no exceptions.

My partner had a hand tonight where this Lebensohl understanding was gold. He held ♠xxxx ♥ x ♦xxx ♣Jxxxx , Chris Buchanan opened 4♠ , around to me in the balancing so I doubled. The major key words are there - 4 of a major by them & double by partner, therefore Lebensohl is in effect. Partner bids 4NT , I bid 5♣ so that contract gets doubled for –300. It was a 7 IMP pickup as they can make a lot of spades & there are worse spots for us. Change partner’s hand ♠xxxx ♥x ♦Axx ♣ AJxxx so he bids 5♣ which is to make. I bid 6♣ with my hand & with a friendly heart division, we make 7♣.