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 2nd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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.