Tuesday, January 31, 2006 5:26 AM

Hearts & Diamonds

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 and you show the other two suits. Lets discuss hearts and diamonds specifically.

They open 1♠ and you have xx AKJx AJxxxx x so do you overcall 2♦ ? If you do and they bid a number of spades you have for all intents and purposes lost the heart suit. Partner holds xx Qxxxx x Axxx and she supposed to respond to a 2♦ overcall ? She passes and +620 in hearts goes out the window. What about xx AKxx AKxxx xx and a spade opener ? Do you overcall 2♦ and 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♠ and you have xxx AQ109 AKJxx x again equal level conversion applies at the 3 level also. You have good enough cards to double and pull partners 3♣ bid to 3♦ at 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♦ and the last thing partner expects is a heart suit .

What if the red suits were reversed in length ? xxx AKJxx AQ109 x and they open a weak 2♠ . What are the pro’s and 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♣ and you can convert to 3♥ which at the same level shows the 5^th heart since you bypassed diamonds but again does not show a rock. I think this sequence should show a heart overcall with diamonds. I held this hand with Dora tonight and got a bad result. I chose to overcall 3♥ and Dora held xx Q Jxxxxx Kxxx . She passed and 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 Jxxxxx Axxxx and we may be on for 6♦ and the heart overcall has 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. Axxxx AKJx xxx x and they open 1♦ . Playing equal level conversion has the advantage of preventing a 1♠ overcall with this hand. You double and partner holds x Qxxxx xx Axxxx and 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 5^th card. Partner has Kxx xx xxx Jxxxx and you have landed on your feet. Equal level conversion should be thought of as a scramble to the best spot not showing extra values.

Equal level conversion is a scramble to combat “Bridge is a bidders game” . With the frequency of weak two’s increasing ,you need more and more off shape doubles in the direct and balancing spot. This is to catch them speeding or scramble to your best spot. Equal level conversion. Do not leave home without it !!