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Detail specifications 61UZ - Level 2 ★

The Rubensohl convention

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You will use the Rubensohl convention in response to your partner's 1 NT opening, but after an overcall. Here is the simplified theory of this convention.
After a natural overcall 2 ♦, 2 ♥ or 2 ♠
  • Any level 2 bid is natural
  • Above 2 NT any bid is a Jacoby transfer. 2 NT is artificial (Jacoby for ♣)
  • An impossible Jacoby becomes a Stayman
  • A double is a take-out double : it could be a Stayman with 8 HCP, or show a balanced hand with 8 HCP or more.
SWNE
1NT
2
2
5
4
3
A
Q
7
6
5
6
5
4
8
7
Exercise E5867 2 ♥ showing 5 ♥ cards and a maximum of 7 HCP.
 
SWNE
1NT
2
3
K
J
5
4
4
A
J
5
4
Q
10
9
2
Exercise E5871 3 ♦ Impossible Jacoby (the opponent's overcall is ♥, therefore the responder can't be willing to play ♥ !) : this is a Stayman with 4 ♠ cards and short ♥ : game forcing
 
 
After a natural level 2 overcall
  • Bidding a suit at level 2 is natural and non forcing : the responder holds a maximum of 7 HCP
  • Doubling is not punitive : A double requires a minimum of 7-8 HCP and most of the time shows a hand with which the responder would have bid 2 NT (with no overcall). Doubling is asking the opener to name a 4 carder or a 5 carder, or 2 NT if he's got stoppers in the overcalled suit. The opener may also pass and the double becomes punitive ! With only 8 HCP, the responder can also use a double as a Stayman. In this case, it is not game forcing.
SWNE
1NT
2
2
K
J
8
7
6
7
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
Exercise E5868 Natural bid : 5 ♠ cards and a maximum of 7 HCP.
 
SWNE
1NT
2
X
5
4
A
K
10
J
10
8
7
J
10
9
6
Exercise E5873 Take out double In this case a double means the partner would have bid 2 NT without any overcall.
 
 
Jacoby
Above 2 NT, any bid is a Jacoby transfer. An impossible Jacoby (for the opponent's suit), is a Stayman : that's a forcing bid requiring at least 8 HCP and a 4 card major...
  • 1 SA - 2 ♦ (or 2 ♥ or 2 ♠ ) - 2 SA : 2 SA Jacoby for ♣ (6 cards)
  • 1 SA - 2 ♥ (or 2 ♠) - 3 ♣ : 3 ♣ Jacoby for ♦ (6 cards)
  • 1 SA - 2 ♣ ( or 2 ♦ or 2 ♠) - 3 ♦ : 3 ♦ Jacoby for ♥
  • 1 SA - 2 ♣ ( or 2 ♦ or 2 ♥) - 3 ♥ : 3 ♥ Jacoby for ♠
  • 1 SA - 2 ♥ - 3 ♦ : 3 ♦ looks like an impossible Jacoby, the responder can't be willing to play 3 ♥ : this is a Stayman for ♠ : game forcing. If the responder didn't want to go to game, he would have doubled .
SWNE
1NT
2
3
4
K
5
4
3
K
Q
10
9
6
5
4
3
Exercise E5870 3♣ Jacoby for ♦. A Jacoby for a minor suit usually promises 6 cards
 
 
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