[newroad]

Hi All.

For a long time I have played a defence to any Multi 2♦ containing the basic options of W2♥ or W2♠ as follows:

• DBL = T/O of ♠
  
• 2♥ = T/O of ♥

Lebensohl advances in the partnership style to both the above.

There are some other subtleties, but that's the essence. Quite a few people have taken up this defence after me advocating it to them. One has come back to me, admittedly after a few years, asking a couple of questions about atypical auctions. In short, what he's asked morphs to what should the following sequences mean in the above context

• (2♦) DBL (P) 2♠
  
• (2♦) DBL (2♥) 2♠

I'd never considered it, or seemingly needed to consider it. I have some ideas, but don't want to prejudice anyone else's opinions/thoughts in advance.

Ideas?

Regards, Newroad

[Kungsgeten]

Without discussion I would take both as natural. Sure, its a takeout of spades but opener may still have hearts. Even with discussion I think natural is a good choice

1.1 The pass shows diamonds

P = Penalty pass
2H = Natural
2S = Natural, good suit
2NT = Lebensohl
3C = Constructive
3D = Cue, no stopper (stopper goes via 2NT)
3H = Constructive
3S = ?

1.2 The pass doesn't show anything particular / they do not know

P = Waiting to see what happens
2HS = Natural (perhaps 2S should be forcing, not sure)
2NT = Lebensohl
3CDH = Constructive
3S = Cue, no stopper

2:

P = Nothing to say, if followed by dbl then take-out
Dbl = Good balanced hand, probably interested in 3NT or 2M doubled
2S = Natural, good suit
2NT = Lebensohl
3CDH = Constructive
3S = Cue, no stopper

[newroad]

Thanks, Kungsgeten.

So, the three key sequences you allude to are

• (2♦) DBL (P) 2♠
  
• (2♦) DBL (2♥) 2♠
  
• (2♦) DBL (2♥) DBL

For the first two you are advocating natural, and the third, a good balanced hand perhaps with defensive predilections.

I wondered about the first two as showing either

• Same as via 2NT Lebensohl, but with a ♠ anti-positional stopper, or
  
• Same as via 2NT Lebensohl, but with a ♠ half stopper

However, back to your suggestion, would it be out of place to define them as

• (2♦ DBL (P) 2♠ - a hand that would have made a penalty pass of (2S) DBL (P) ?
  
• (2♦) DBL (2♥) 2♠ - a hand that would have made a penalty pass of (2S) DBL (P) ?
  
• (2♦) DBL (2♥) DBL - BAL or near BAL with exactly 3♥ (with 4♥, one can go through the Lebensohl machinery if desired)?

Regards, Newroad