A safe way to stop low.
After their overcall, 2NT* asks opener to bid 3♣*. Then a new suit ranking below theirs is a weak signoff, and opener passes. A new suit ranking above theirs invites game.
Workshop #17 · LebensohlThey Bid Over Your 1NT.
They Bid Over Your 1NT.
Now What?
2NT Relay · Slow Shows · Cue-Bid Stayman · Their Conventions · 1NT Doubled
You open 1NT and they overcall. Partner's next bid has to say two things at once: how strong the hand is, and whether it holds a stopper in their suit. Lebensohl gives each hand its own route. A 2NT relay lets a weak hand stop low, a direct three-level bid carries the strong ones, and a cue bid does the job Stayman did before they came in.
$25 for both sessions. Included for VIP members.
Lebensohl
Live lesson Monday, November 9, and Play of the Hand Wednesday, November 11, both at 3 PM Pacific.
The live lesson starts in
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The problemTwo hands.
Two hands.
One bid.
After 1NT (2♠), responder might hold a weak hand with long hearts, or a strong one that wants game. Without a plan, the same bid has to cover both, and partner guesses. Lebensohl splits them apart.
The fast route says more.
A new suit at the two level is weak, to play. A new suit at the three level, bid straight away, is game forcing. The route you take tells partner how strong you are.
3NT, with or without a stopper.
Go through 2NT* first and then bid 3NT, and you show a stopper in their suit. Bid 3NT straight away and you deny one. A cue bid of their suit works as Stayman, with the same fast and slow logic.
Their conventions, and 1NT doubled.
We look at what changes when their overcall is artificial, like the DONT and Cappelletti calls from Workshop #13, and what to do when they double your 1NT. These parts are taught as a guide for you and your partner to agree on.
* A star marks an artificial or conventional call; check your event's alert rules.
Before and afterWhat changes
What changes
at the table.
Before
They overcall 2♠ and you hold six hearts with a weak hand. You pass and let them play, or bid 3♥ and hope partner reads it as weak.
After
You bid 2NT*, then 3♥ over partner's 3♣*. Partner passes, and you compete at a safe level.
Before
You hold game values and a good suit, and you are not sure whether partner will read your three-level bid as weak or strong.
After
You bid your suit at the three level straight away. Partner knows it is game forcing.
Before
You bid 3NT with nothing in their suit, and they take the first five tricks.
After
Fast denies, slow shows. Partner knows whether you hold a stopper and can look for another game.
Before
You hold four hearts and game values, and their overcall took away your Stayman.
After
You cue-bid their suit. It asks partner for a four-card major, and the route still tells partner about your stopper.
Try one decisionOne auction.
One auction.
One decision.
Look at the hand, choose a call, and see how Lebensohl reads it.
Partner opened 1NT, showing 15 to 17 HCP, and the opponent on your right overcalled 2♠.
1NT (2♠) ?You are the responder
♠ 8 4 ♥ K J 10 9 7 3 ♣ 6 2 ♦ 9 5 2 (4 HCP)
Your call
Choose a call to see what happens.
* A star marks an artificial or conventional call; check your event's alert rules. Here 2NT* is a relay that asks opener to bid 3♣*.
Inside the lessonTwo hours.
Two hours.
One route at a time.
The live lesson runs Monday, November 9, from 3 to 5 PM Pacific. Here is the order we take it in.
- Hour one · 3 PM Pacific
The problem, the relay, the fast and the slow.
We start with two hands that want the same bid. Then the 2NT relay and weak signoffs, direct bids, invitations and game forces, slow shows for 3NT, and cue-bid Stayman, with quiz hands along the way.
- Around the hour mark
A ten-minute break.
Stretch, refill, and come back for the competitive part.
- Hour two · about 4 PM Pacific
Doubles, their conventions, and 1NT doubled.
Responder's takeout double after their natural overcall. Then their artificial overcalls, like DONT and Cappelletti, and what to do when they double your 1NT. We close with Tracey's Tips.
Who it's forBuilt for players
Built for players
who open 1NT.
Beginner and intermediate duplicate players who want a plan when the opponents bid over their notrump.
- You know Stayman and transfers.That is enough of a base. We build Lebensohl on top of them, one route at a time.
- You have met Lebensohl before.If it did not stick the first time, the slow-shows logic and the hands in this workshop give it a second chance.
- Your partnership wants an agreement.Come solo or bring a partner. You leave with the routes written down, ready to discuss before your next game.
Learn it. Then play it.
Bring both sides to the table.
Learn the routes.
Join Tracey for the live lesson: what each bid after their overcall promises, and how opener answers.
- The 2NT relay and weak signoffs
- Direct bids, invitations and game forces
- Slow shows and cue-bid Stayman
- Their conventions and our 1NT doubled
Practice the decisions.
Return for Play of the Hand and use Lebensohl on real deals. Ask about the bid while the hand is in front of you.
Revisit the recordings afterward when you want another look.
Live lessonPlay of the HandSession recordingsWorkbookCheat sheetPractice hands
Recordings follow the sessions. The workbook and cheat sheet are being prepared for this workshop.
Your teacher
Tracey Bauer
Tracey Bauer is the founder of Bridge Unleashed and a Two-time WBF Women's Spring Festival Champion (2020 and 2022).
She teaches through the hands and the questions they bring up. You will have room to ask yours in both sessions.
Before you join
A few practical things.
Do I need to know Lebensohl already?
No. We start from the problem it solves and build it one route at a time. If you play Stayman and Jacoby transfers over 1NT, you are ready.
Do I need a partner?
No. You can join solo or with a partner. Lebensohl works best when both players agree on it, so we cover each route clearly enough to bring home and discuss before your next game.
What if I miss a live session?
Recordings of both sessions are included, so you can return to the lesson and Play of the Hand afterward.
What device do I need?
A laptop, desktop or iPad with a stable connection. Any of the three works fine for following along and using the practice materials.
Is this included in VIP?
Yes. VIP members have this workshop included in their membership, with the Zoom link, the replay and every material. Everyone else joins for $25, covering both sessions.
Know your next bid
after their overcall.
Learn the routes on Monday, then come back Wednesday and use them on real hands.
$25Register now
One ticket includes both sessions. Included for VIP members.