A reasonable 5-card or longer Club suit and a 4-card Major
"Reasonably strong" means QJ10xxx minimum, preferably with 2 of the top 3
honours and either the Jack or the 109. Hands which cannot satisfy this requirement
are opened with 1♦ instead. The main issue
is the solidity of the suit - QJ109xx is better than KJ9xxx.
In response to the 2♣ Opening, partner bids along
the following lines:-
-Pass
Responder should not be afraid to pass with a weak hand unless they have
something better to offer. This is one of the reasons why the 2♣
Opener has to have a reasonably strong club suit.
-2♦
A forcing enquiry with 12-15 points in principle but can be stronger because this is one of the
most efficient methods for Responder to find out what Opener has in detail. Almost all strong responding
hands go this route unless the hand is suitable for an immediate Alpha Asking Bid. See the Section on the
2♦ Forcing Enquiry below.
-2♥
Natural and limited. 7-10 with at least a 5-card Heart suit and probably no good fit for Clubs.
All continuations are natural and non-forcing. Although limited, non-forcing and essentially a rescue,
Opener should not refrain from continuing if they have a suitable hand and a decent fit for Hearts.
-2♠
Natural and limited. 7-10 with at least a 5-card Spade suit and probably no good fit for Clubs.
All continuations are natural and non-forcing. Although limited, non-forcing and essentially a rescue,
Opener should not refrain from continuing if they have a suitable hand and a decent fit for Spades.
-2NT
11-12 balanced, normally denying a 4-card major and often with 4-card Diamonds and 3343
shape. Continuations are all natural, 3♣ from Opener showing a 6-card
or longer suit in an unbalanced minimum hand.
-3♣
is a natural and constructive, but non-forcing, raise with decent club support and about 9-10
points. With a maximum hand, Opener can start showing stops up towards 3NT. This bid does not deny possession
of a 4-card major.
-3♦
16+, Alpha in Diamonds, denying a Club fit. Asking Bids established.
-3♥
16+, Alpha in Hearts, denying a Club fit. Asking Bids established.
-3♠
16+, Alpha in Spades, denying a Club fit. Asking Bids established.
This is one of the cornerstones of the 2♣ Opening. It shows
12-15 points in principle but can be much stronger because it is a very efficient method for ascertaining
Opener's strength and distribution. In practice most strong hands go this route unless suitable for an
immediate Alpha Ask (which can be quite expensive in terms of space). Despite this, the
2♦ enquiry is not game-forcing in itself.
In response to the 2♦ enquiry, Opener
bids as follows:-
-2♥
shows 4-card Hearts. If Opener is exactly 3415 shape (ie: with 3-card Spades), then they are
maximum (See 3♥
below) but with other shapes they can be any range. Continuations are as follows:
-2♠
shows 12-13 points and a 6-card Spade suit.
-2NT
shows 12-13 points balanced with no 4-card Heart fit.
-3♣
shows 12-13 points, no fit for Hearts and a weakness in a sharp suit (usually Diamonds).
-3♦
is a further forcing relay, after which...
-3♥
shows 1435 shape (Singleton Spade), any range. 3♠
is now Beta.
-3♠
shows 3415 shape (Singleton Diamond), maximum range (because a minimum hand
would have bid 3♥ over 2♦).
4♦ is now Beta.
shows 3406 shape exactly (ie Diamond Void).
4♦ is now Beta.
-4♦
shows exactly 0445 shape with a void Spade, any range.
4♠ is now Beta.
-3♠
is Gamma in Hearts. Asking Bids now established. Relay Beta available.
-4♣
is a length-known Gamma in Clubs. Asking Bids now established. Relay Beta available.
-2♠
shows 4-card Spades. If Opener is exactly 4315 shape (ie: with 3-card Hearts), then they are
minimum (See 3♠
below) but with other shapes they can be any range. Continuations are as follows:
-2NT
shows 12-13 points balanced with no 4-card Spade fit.
-3♣
shows 12-13 points, no fit for Spades and a weakness in a red suit (usually Diamonds).
-3♦
is a further forcing relay, after which...
-3♥
shows 4315 shape (Singleton Diamond), minimum range (because a maximum hand
would have bid 3♠ over
2♦.
4♦ is now Beta.
-3♠
shows 4135 shape (Singleton Heart), any range.
4♥ is now Beta.
shows 4306 shape exactly (ie: Diamond Void).
4♦ is now Beta.
-4♦
shows exactly 4045 shape with a void Heart, any range.
4♥ is now Beta.
-3♥
is Eta in Spades. Asking Bids now established. Relay Beta available.
-4♣
is a length-known Gamma in Clubs. Asking Bids now established. Relay Beta available.
-2NT
shows 6-card Clubs in a hand with two outside suits stopped (any range).
-3♣
is natural and "to play", normally a weakish hand with both majors (ie: was hoping Opener
had a 4-card Major).
-3♦
is a further forcing relay, after which Opener bids the suit that they cannot stop
and bids 3NT with no Diamond stop, ie:
-3♥
shows stops in Spades and Diamonds, but no Heart stop. Continuations are natural. If all suits
are covered the contract normally ends up in 3NT. If not then responder picks the best looking spot,
perhaps even choosing to play in 4♠ if it looks like
Responder must have 3-card Spades (perhaps Responder has AKxx). It should not be forgotten that
Responder is still completely unlimited here and has shown nothing of his hand as yet.
4♥ is now Beta.
-3♠
shows stops in Hearts and Diamonds but no Spade stop. If all suits
are covered the contract normally ends up in 3NT. If not then responder picks the best looking spot,
perhaps even choosing to play in 4♥ if it looks like
Responder must have 3-card Hearts (perhaps Responder has AKxx). It should not be forgotten that
Responder is still completely unlimited here and has shown nothing of his hand as yet.
4♠ is now Beta.
-3NT
shows stops in Hearts and Spades, but no Diamond stop. If all suits
are covered the contract normally ends up in 3NT. If not then responder picks the best looking spot,
perhaps even choosing to play in 4 of either Major if it looks like
Responder must have 3-card support (perhaps Responder has AKxx). It should not be forgotten that
Responder is still completely unlimited here and has shown nothing of his hand as yet.
4♦ is now Beta.
-4♣
is Gamma in Clubs (6-card minimum length). A Relay over the response is Beta
-3♣
shows 6-card Clubs in a hand with only one outside suit stopped (any range).
-Pass
is normally a weakish hand with both majors (ie: was hoping Opener had a 4-card Major).
-3♦
is a further forcing relay, after which Opener bids the suit that they can stop
and bids 3NT with a Diamond stop, ie:
-3♥
shows a stop in Hearts, but no Spade or Diamond stops. Continuations are natural. If all suits
are covered the contract normally ends up in 3NT. If not then responder picks the best looking spot,
perhaps even choosing to play in 4♥ if it looks like
Responder must have 3-card Heartss (perhaps Responder has AKxx). It should not be forgotten that
Responder is still completely unlimited here and has shown nothing of his hand as yet.
4♦ is now Beta.
-3♠
shows a stop in Spades but no Heart or Diamond stops. If all suits
are covered the contract normally ends up in 3NT. If not then responder picks the best looking spot,
perhaps even choosing to play in 4♠ if it looks like
Responder must have 3-card Spades (perhaps Responder has AKxx). It should not be forgotten that
Responder is still completely unlimited here and has shown nothing of his hand as yet.
4♦ is now Beta.
-3NT
shows a stop in Diamonds, but no Heart or Spade stops. If all suits
are covered the contract normally ends up in 3NT. If not then responder picks the best looking spot,
usually Clubs. It should not be forgotten that
Responder is still completely unlimited here and has shown nothing of his hand as yet.
4♥ is now Beta.
-4♣
is Gamma in Clubs (6-card minimum length). A Relay over the response is Beta
-3♦
shows exactly 4405 shape. This is the only place in the whole system where a shortage is
shown by bidding the suit itself. Continuations are natural except that 4♦
is Beta.
-3♥
shows exactly 3415 shape with a singleton Diamond and minimum range (a maximum hand
would have bid 2♥ over 2♦).
Continuations are natural except that 4♦ is Beta. A bid of 3♠
by Responder here is not forcing. Note: This, and the ability to pass the 3♥
bid is the reason why this sequence shows a lower-range hand. The maximum-range hand goes the slower
route because this shape is eventually shown with a bid of 3♠, forcing Responder to agree Hearts
at the 4-level.
-3♠
shows exactly 4315 shape with a singleton Diamond and maximum range (a minimum hand
would have bid 2♠ over 2♦). Continuations are natural except that
4♦ is Beta. Note: The reason why this sequence shows a maximum-range hand is because the minimum-range
hand goes the slower route because this shape is eventually shown with a bid of 3♥,
thereby allowing Responder to pass or bid 3♠ non-forcing. In this sequence, Responder is forced to agree
Hearts at the 4-level.
-3NT
shows 6-card Clubs in a maximum-range hand with all three outside suits stopped.
Responder should be aware that in these circumstances the Club suit may not be "best ever" because
of the strength in the outside suits.
-4♣
shows 6-card or longer Clubs with one 3-card Major and a void in the other Major,
eg: 0346, 3046, 0337 or 3037 shape. A relay of 4♦
asks Opener to bid his 3-card Major, but all other continuations are natural.
-4♦
shows 6-card or longer Clubs with at least a 5-card Diamond suit (Clubs always longer).
4♥ is now Beta.
If opponents intervene immediately over the 2♣ Opening, then
doubles are negative up to level of 3♠. Bids at the
2-level are merely competitive. 2NT is Lebensohl, allowing responder to compete in Clubs or
to invite in any other suit. Fast bids at the 3-level are constructive and forcing, usually single-suited.
The arrangements for slow and fast cue-bids of opponents' suit and bids of 3NT are as per standard Lebensohl.
It is, however, worth noting that in unopposed sequences, even if 3-suited or with a reverse,
Lebensohl is not used over 2♣ Openings. This is because the 2♦
continuations are very structured and all of the other responses to 2♣ are limited.
If Opps interfere with 2♦ then a Double by
Responder acts as the Forcing Relay. If the interference is a takeout double over the
2♣ Opening, then a redouble acts as the Forcing Relay, but other
bids are natural (including 2♦). In each of these
circumstances Opener bids exactly as if the Forcing Relay had been bid normally, if possible.
Over the 2♦ Forcing Relay
Opener bids normally if possible, but can make a negative double or pass if they cannot do so.
Lebensohl by Responder is available over Opener's rebid with the normal arrangements
for cue-bids and bids of 3NT. Fast cue-bids and fast bids of 3NT (ie: denying a stop) both
guarantee a decent Club fit in case Opener also has no stop in opponents' suit.
