Monday, January 8, 2007

Interference after 1NT Opening Bids

If the opponents double, all conventional responses are "on." For example:
1NT(Dbl)2♣ Stayman
 2Transfer to hearts

If the opponents bid over your 1NT opener, Stayman and transfers are "off." Bids are natural except for a cuebid, which can be used with game force strength as a substitute for Stayman.

The traditional style is to double for penalties over the opponent's overcall. However the modern style is to use more and more competitive doubles. In this style a double is 'negative' or for takeout and asks partner to bid. Negative doubles can be used like Stayman to find a 4-4 major suit fit with a wider range of hands than a cue-bid. It is important for a partnership to agree whether to play negative or penalty doubles after their 1NT opening. When the overcall is artificial - it does not show the suit bid - then double should just show some points in a hand with no clear alternative bid. This invites cooperation from the 1NT opener in competing or penalizing the opponents. A subsequent double by either player is normally played as penalties.

It is also important to decide on the meaning of a competitive bid in a simple new suit at the three-level. It is possible to play a new suit as competitive, invitational or forcing. Many players solve this problem with the use of the Lebensohl convention. Playing Lebensohl a new suit at the three-level is forcing. With a weaker hand responder bids 2NT conventionally which forces the opener to bid 3♣ and responder either passes with clubs or corrects to a different long suit with a weak hand.
1NT(2♠)2NTPass2NT is Lebensohl
3♣Pass3 3♣ is forced and 3 shows a weak hand with long diamonds
Lebensohl is an optional convention and there are many variations and extensions.


If Jacoby transfer is doubled, opener may pass, XX to show strong holding in doubled suit, complete transfer to show 3+ trumps, or jump to 3 of suit. If opener passes or XX, responder may make normal bid, XX or pass to play, or bid 2 of major to signoff.

If transfer is overcalled, opener may bid 3 of major only with good supporting hand, X for penalty, or pass. If opener passes, responder may make normal bid, X to show strength, or pass.

If Stayman is doubled, opener may make normal rebid, pass with 4 clubs, or redouble with 5 clubs or 4 good clubs. If Stayman is overcalled, opener may bid a 4 card major at the 2 two-level, double for penalty with 4 cards in the opponent's suit, or pass. In any event, responder may continue with a normal rebid or double for penalty.