Tuesday, January 31, 2006 5:26 AM

Hand Evaluation - Hearts & Diamonds ( ELC )

 

PITBULLS:

 

            We have written articles that the lowly club suit does not have rights that other suits have. If you have bought into the “equal level conversion” philosophy , you know that clubs are not needed for a T/O double. Being the lowest ranking suit in the deck , you convert clubs to another suit at the same level so you show the other two suits. Lets discuss hearts & diamonds specifically.

 

            They open 1 , you have ♠xx AKJx AJxxxx x so do you overcall 2? If you do & they bid a number of spades , you have for all intents & purposes lost the heart suit. Partner holds ♠xxx Qxxxx x ♣Axxx so is she supposed to respond to a 2 overcall ? She passes , so +620 in hearts goes out the window. What about ♠xx AKxx AKxxxxx , a spade opener ? Do you overcall 2 & miss your heart fit ? Both these hands , playing equal level conversion , you can get away with a T/O double.

 

            They open a weak 2 , you have ♠xxx AQ109 AKJxx ♣x  again equal level conversion applies at the 3 level also. You have good enough cards to double & pull partners 3♣ bid to 3at the same level. Also since you have good defense , a double describes your hand bettor. If partner converts the double for penalty,  you will be happy or if partner bids 3NT that is fine also. An overcall normally describes a single suited hand. You overcall 2 with 3 so the last thing partner expects is a heart suit .

 

            What if the red suits were reversed in length ?xxx AKJxx AQ109 ♣x  , they open a weak 2 . What are the pro’s & cons of a double rather than overcalling hearts ? I think playing equal level conversion , you can get away with a double also. You are not going to lose the heart suit as your double of spades pretty well shows hearts. Partner bids 3♣ & you can convert to 3 which at the same level shows the 5th heart since you bypassed diamonds but again should  not show a rock playing the ELC style. I think this sequence should just show a heart overcall with diamonds as a side suit. I held this hand with Dora tonight & got a bad result. I chose to overcall 3 & Dora held ♠xx Q JxxxxxKxxx . She passed , with a 5-1 heart break I went one down in 3.  Meanwhile our 6-4 diamond fit makes many diamonds L . Change her hand to ♠x Q JxxxxxAxxxx , we may be on for 6 so the heart overcall showing one suit has just destroyed the auction.

 

            With equal level conversion , you do not have to convert to the cheapest suit. If you convert to the higher ranking suit, you are showing extra length. ♠A109xx AKJx xxx ♣x & they open 1 . Playing equal level conversion has the advantage of preventing a 1 overcall with this hand. You double & partner holds ♠x Qxxxx xx ♣Axxxx so you get to your +650 in hearts instead of going one down in one spade !! What if partner bids 2♣. I think you can get away with a 2 bid. It is an equal level conversion but you are showing the 5th card. Partner has ♠Kxx xx xxx ♣Jxxxx  so you have landed on your feet. In the worst case scenario you are in two spades going down & the overcallers are in 1♠ going down.  Equal level conversion should be thought of as just a scramble to the best spot not showing extra values.

 

            You play Michael’s Q bids as either weak or very strong. A Tormentee held this hand ♠x KJxxx AQJ10x ♣Ax  & they opened 1♠ too her right. This hand has quick tricks & with the intermediate range does not qualify for a Michael’s bid. You play equal level conversion , so you start with a double. Partner bids 2♣ so you bypass 2 & bid 3  to show a stronger hand in the reds as you forced partner to the 3 level . Partner has xxxx AQ10 xx ♣Kxxx & you may get to your 50 % +1430 heart slam !.

 

            Equal level conversion is a scramble to combat “Bridge is a bidders game” & get in their showing both suits rather than overcalling indicating one suit. With the frequency of weak two’s increasing , you need more & more off shape doubles in the direct & balancing spot. This is to catch them speeding or scramble to your best spot. Equal level conversion. Do not leave home without it !!