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 yet 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 and they are not with a 3♣ opener to your right. This vulnerability,
it is not advisable to trap. You do not have 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. 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 & if 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 has hand defense with your 14 HCP 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 so there is a 14 IMP swing in these cards if you
bid 5♦
singlehandedly & go for -500.
‘
BJ
Trelford had a hand in Calgary where partner equal level conversion takes place
at the 6 level ! In 3rd seat vul the
opponents open 3♣. BJ 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 qual level conversion
method of T/O doubles , BJ can not leap to 6♦ as I may not even hold diamonds. BJ leaps to 6♣ !! The
equal level conversion takes place at the rarified 6 level ! I bid 6♥ & all pass making 7♥.