Saturday, June 09, 2007 3:03 PM

Rubensohl – Minors

PITBULLS:

Experts play Rubensohl when the opponents interfere over their NT with the majors. Rubensohl is defined for dealing with interference by the majors only . What if the opponents overcall in the minors or artificially with the minors ? Unfortunately , this is a game time decision depending on which toys the opponents are using. There are some standard understandings though which we will discuss below. Lebonsohl is still alive & well over both minors even though you play Rubensohl over the majors.

If the opponents overcall with an artificial 2♣ , a direct double by responder is Stayman. If the opponents make an artificial double, you just ignore them . If you bid 3♣ over their artificial 2♣ that is forcing with clubs. If you wish to compete in clubs , you bid 2NT Lebonsohl & pass partners 3♣ response. A 2♥ or 2♠ bid by you is to play and a jump in those major suits is a one suiter major forcing.

If the opponents overcall with 2♦ artificially showing the majors , we have some common understandings. 2NT is Lebensohl so we can compete in diamonds & clubs that way. A direct 3♦ or 3♣ bid is natural & forcing. A double says let me at the majors. Invisible Q bids enter the fray after the 2♦ bid. Since they are announcing the majors , if you have a minor two suiter with competitive values bid 2♥. If you wish to force to game with the minors, bid 2♠.

Since Lebensohl understandings still apply after the minor overcalls , a leap to 3NT is systemic. If 2♣ or 2♦ are natural bids , a leap to 3NT denies a stopper in that suit. If these minors are artifical , a leap to 3NT says nothing about that suit.

If the minors are natural bids , a double is penalty on every vulnerability except the terrorist vulnerability. If we are vul & they are not , the double is D.S.I.P. so we can get to our best vul game. If partner converts the double on this vulnerability , they are really in trouble.