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 2^nd 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.

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BJ Trelford 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♣. 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♥.