COPING WITH
INTERFERENCE VS. OUR 1NT
[Warning: This is for advanced-level or higher]
In many classes, I get asked, "Larry, what should we
do when they use a Convention (such as CAPPALLETTI, or DONT against our Strong
Notrump?) There is no fast answer. To cope with interference, you need to do a
little studying and memorizing. (Otherwise, be prepared for some accidents). You and
your partner have to come to some agreements.
It is impractical (unless you are a world-class bridge pro)
to try to memorize different schemes versus different methods. For example, to play System-A
against DONT, but System-B against CAPPALLETTI, and System-C against Brozel
would be too much memory drain.
Here is a medium-complicated scheme to deal with any kind
of interference--you can choose parts or all of it. (For a simpler and shorter treatment, click here).
THEIR OVERCALL PROMISES BOTH MAJORS
First, let's get a specific situation out of the way : The
opponents show MAJORS. Most conventions over 1NT have a way to show MAJORS. If the
opponents do show majors (with some contraption that is below 2 ), I suggest:
2 =
GF in 
2 = GF in 
2NT = lebensohl (see below) -- Relay to 3
3 of a minor = Natural, Invitational
3 of a MAJOR = GF, Shortness (0 or 1) in that MAJOR
3NT = To Play, Neither MAJOR stopped
Use the 2NT mechanism to show stoppers -- after the Relay to 3 : 3 MAJOR shows only that major
stopped; 3NT shows both MAJORS stopped
Relaying to 2NT also lets you sign-off in 3-minor (either pass the relay with or sign-off in 3 with )
NOTE: Using this method, when they show MAJORS, you can
show either minor (Weak, Invitational, or Forcing) and can show which MAJOR(s) are
stopped, and also can show both minors and shortness in a major.
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OK -- That alone should take some brain-power to memorize,
but I like it because it is mostly natural/logical (especially if you are already familiar
with the idea of using lebensohl--FADS -- more on this below).
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Now, what if they interfere with a bid that does NOT
specifically show BOTH MAJORS?
THEY DOUBLE
If they make an artificial DOUBLE, just ignore
it--system 100% on (Stayman, Transfers, etc.). If they make a penalty DOUBLE, then
you should not play any conventions--not even STAYMAN. Use all bids as natural (even 2 and 2\).
You can decide if you want to do something fancy with REDOUBLE (or use PASS to force a
REDOUBLE to show a 2-suited hand).
THEY OVERCALL 2
I don't care what it shows (unless it is BOTH
MAJORS). It can be , a
transfer, a 2-suiter, a 3-suiter, an either-or, a reverse upside down poisoned dragon,
whatever. Just IGNORE it. This is where you might have heard the term
"Mirror Double" -- or "Stolen Bid." You just double to say,
"Partner, I would have bid 2,
Stayman." Double means they "stole your bid." All other actions
are as if they passed. Just ignore them. 2 is what it would have been without their interference. All
bids (even 2NT) are treated as if the opponent Passed.
THEY OVERCALL 2 or HIGHER
So far we can deal with any bid that promises BOTH MAJORS,
doubles and any kind of 2
overcall. That leaves overcalls of 2 or higher. Again, it is best not to start asking questions
and getting involved with which convention they use. Treat them all the same (unless
2 is specifically BOTH MAJORS).
No matter what they bid, no matter what it means (other than MAJORS), here is the
schedule:
BIDDING A SUIT (on the 2-level) = NATURAL, NF
BIDDING A SUIT (on the 3-level) = see below (lebensohl explained)
BIDDING 2NT or 3NT (see below -- lebensohl explained)
BIDDING A SUIT (on the 4-level) = all jumps to 4, are "Front of Card" -- Texas,
Gerber -- whatever you use.
Exception: If you bid one of their KNOWN suits (a suit they
have promised) on the 2-level, you might choose to not treat it as natural -- your choice.
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USING LEBENSOHL and "transfer" LEBENSOHL
If you've read this far, you are probably familiar with at
least some form of lebensohl. A bid of 2NT over their interference requests partner to bid
3, usually so you can sign off.
(By the way, most bridge terms can be found on GOOGLE -- just try typing the term and then
the "+" symbol and then the word "bridge.") Simple lebensohl (and
please don't write in about the failure to capitalize--that is correct as written--don't
ask!) works fine in conjunction with the above, but better is to use "Transfer
lebensohl." (That one, you might not find on Google). Here is how it
works:
We open 1NT, and they overcall. Remember, if they bid 2, you just ignore it (so if you bid 2NT
after their 2 overcall, you
should treat the auction as if it went 1NT PASS 2NT -- however you play it). If they bid 2, 2 , or 2 we
use TRANSFER lebensohl. Recall that if we bid a suit on the 2-level, it is natural, NF.
Using Transfer lebensohl, if we bid a suit on the 3-level, starting with 3, it is a transfer to the
"next" suit. (I'll explain the quote marks in a moment). By transferring, we are
showing the suit (5+) transferred to with invitational or better values. (With less
than an invitation, we either sign-off on the 2-level, or bid 2NT to relay to 3 to sign-off -- the old
fashioned-lebensohl way). When we show invitational or better, partner can sign-off (just
bid the suit transferred to), or he can accept the game try (by doing many things,
including 3NT if he wishes). If partner "signs off" and you have the "or
better," of course you just bid again (naturally). Some examples :
1NT (2) 3 = Diamonds, invitational or better (to sign
off in , responder would have
bid 2NT to relay to 3, then bid
3)
1NT (2)
3 = Hearts,
invitational or better. (If opener bids 3, he rejects your invitation, but you bid again with a GF.)
Remember, to sign off, you either bid on the 2-level, or
use 2NT to relay to sign off on the 3-level. Using the transfer promises at least a game
invite.
Now, what about the "quote marks?" When
transferring to your suit on the 3-level, you have to take their suit into account. For
example, if 2 showed and a minor, it wouldn't make much
sense for you to transfer (via 3
) into . Accordingly, this
is what we do : Transferring into "their suit" (such as 3 into their ) shows the next higher suit -- i.e., . Are you ready to kill me by now?
Sorry, but if you want to be prepared, there is no shortcut. You simply must devote a
little time to study and practice this. So, transferring "into their
suit," is like transferring "through" their suit. What if you actually bid
their suit? (Example, they bid 2
to show + whatever, and you bid
3). Cue-bidding their suit
means what it means with regular lebensohl, typically "Stayman, no
stopper." This assumes "FADS--Fast Always Denies Stopper." If
you want to Stayman with a stopper, you go through the 2NT relay, then cue-bid 3. OK, no doubt you are ready to just
scrap this and wing it, but maybe some examples will help:
1NT (2 =
+ whatever, or just )
:
2NT = Relay to 3 (either to play 3, or as a prelude to sign-off in 3 or 3, or to follow with 3 to show Stayman and a stopper, or to follow with 3NT to just show a stopper-no Stayman)
3
= Invitational+ (Opener
rejects by bidding 3, but
responder bids on naturally with a GF. Opener accepts by bidding above 3)
3
= Invitational+ (Opener
rejects by bidding 3, but
responder bids on naturally with a GF. Opener accepts by bidding above 3)
3 =
Invitational+ -- This was
tricky, but remember: Transfer to "their" suit is "through" their suit
to the next highest suit, in
this case.
3
= Cue-bid showing "Stayman, no
stopper"
3NT = To play, but no stopper (Fast Denies)
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If the transfer lebensohl lost you, you can try plain
lebensohl. If that also loses you, I doubt you've read this far. If you've read this far
and wish you hadn't, you might consider viewing the "simple version." (At least I didn't
call it the "version for dummies.")
What about Doubling their Overcall?
I was afraid you'd ask. Again, I like to separate it into 2 classes, and not get overly
complicated. First, let's say they promise BOTH MAJORS. I like to use DOUBLE as
penalty-oriented. It says you can double at least one of their suits, and give partner a
chance to double as well. It sets up a force. If you pass and then DOUBLE, that
should be a lightish takeout. For example:
1NT (2=MAJORS) X = penalty oriented (says nothing about )
Passing and then doubling their 2MAJ = takeout of that MAJOR
If their interference is anything else (on any level), use
X as cards/negative. It doesn't "promise" the other major(s), but you try
your best. Think of double as just saying, "partner, I have values to act, but no
suit to bid and nothing else fits." For example, let's say partner opens 1NT and they
bid
2 to show and either MAJOR. I would DOUBLE with
each of these hands:
AQ52 1097 62 J653
A52 A97 62 65432
J52 K1097 2 Q6532
Again, pass and then double is just a lightish takeout,
competing. I'd use these "negative doubles" over NATURAL overcalls as well as
CONVENTIONAL overcalls. If you have a true penalty pass of their known suit, you can pass
and hope partner reopens with a double.
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Now you know why people like to use conventions to
interfere with your notrump. If you aren't prepared, expect some major accidents. If you
study this and adopt it, but your partner doesn't, you can also expect some big disasters,
but at least you were warned. Expect some growing pains, some memory pains, but eventually
you'll be better for studying this area of the game.
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