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Detail specifications 43SA - Level 3

The Rubensohl after a 1NT opening and a 2 diamond overcall

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The Rubensohl is used by the responder after a 1NT opening and an overcall. Zia recommends that experienced players use this system.
After a natural overcall of 2 diamonds:
  • - all the responder's bids in a suit at the two level are natural
  • - from 2NT onwards all bids are Texas transfer bids. 2NT is therefore artificial (Texas for clubs)
  • - the impossible Texas is a Stayman
  • - the double is a takeout. It could be a Stayman with just 8HCP or show a balanced hand of 8HCP or more.
K
J
5
A
6
5
A
6
5
A
10
9
8
SWNE
1NT
2
2
Q
10
9
8
4
3
7
4
3
7
4
3
5
Problème E9089
2 spades which shows five spades and a hand limited to 7HCP maximum
 
SWNE
1NT
2
X
Pass
Pass
Pass
3
Pass
K
7
6
5
A
8
7
6
8
7
6
5
2
Problème E9011
double This multi-purpose double takes the place of the Stayman.
 
 
After a natural overcall of 2 diamonds
  • The responder's bids
  • in a suit at the two level are natural and non forcing. They are limited to a maximum of 7HCP.
  • The double is not punitive. It requires at least 7-8HCP and often reveals a hand that would have bid 2NT without the overcall. The double asks the Partner to bid a four or five-card suit or to bid NT if he has stoppers in the overcall suit. With a suitable hand, the opener can also pass and transform the double into a punitive one!With a hand of just 8HCP it can also be used by the responder as a Stayman non game forcing.
K
Q
6
5
J
5
A
K
5
4
A
8
6
SWNE
1NT
2
2
Pass
8
3
Q
10
9
6
4
Q
10
9
6
5
4
Problème E9004
2 heartsA natural bid with five hearts and less than 8HCP. This is a stop.
 
K
5
A
K
Q
J
10
7
6
5
A
9
5
SWNE
1NT
2
X
Pass
2
Pass
2NT
Pass
3NT
Pass
Pass
Pass
A
J
4
10
6
5
9
8
4
3
K
7
6
Problème E9003
DoubleHere this multi-purpose double corresponds to the 2NT bid that you would have made without the overcall. Remember that 2NT would be Texas for clubs in this situation!
 
 
The Texas responses
From 2NT onwards all the responses are Texas. The impossible Texas (for the overcall suit) is a Stayman. This forcing bid requires 8HCP and at least one four-card major.
  • 1NT - 2 diamonds - 2NT = Texas for clubs (it guarantees 6 cards)
  • 11NT - 2 diamonds - 3 clubs = the impossible Texas. The responder cannot want to play 3 diamonds so it's a game-forcing Stayman.
  • 11NT - 2 diamonds - 3 diamonds = Texas for hearts
  • 11NT - 2 diamonds - 3 hearts = Texas for spades
  • 11NT - 2 diamonds - 4 diamonds = a major two-suiter at least 5-5
  • 1NT - 2 diamonds - double = either a weak Stayman, or else a regular hand of 8-9HCP
K
5
Q
J
10
4
A
K
Q
10
8
5
4
SWNE
1NT
2
3
3
3
Pass
4
Pass
A
Q
J
4
K
8
7
6
J
7
6
5
7
Problème E9013
3 clubs - the impossible Texas. You can't possibly want to play in the overcall suit! It's a game-forcing Stayman.