Transfer Lebensohl
Transfer Lebensohl is a complex convention designed to cope with overcalls of a 1NT open or the open of a weak 2 by the opponents. The convention attempts to communicate several things at once:
- Weak, Strong, or Invitational strength
- 5+ card suit or NT distribution
- Interest in any unbid major
- Stopper in opponents' suit
The convention uses a 2NT bid to divide the responses into “slow” and “fast responses. A sequence starting with a 2NT bid is a “slow” response and is invitational. A sequence starting with any other bid is a “fast” response and may be either weak or strong, which will be indicated by the absence or presence of a rebid.
Fast Responses
A “fast response” is a direct bid at the 3 level (with one exception). The fast response of a suit is always a transfer, i.e., the responder bids the suit below the target suit.
If the target suit is a new suit, then the responder is promising 5+ cards in that suit. However, the responder may be either weak or strong. The opener is expected to complete the transfer, at which time the responder will either pass with a weak hand or make a constructive bid. If responder makes a constructive bid then responder has a strong hand and is forcing to game.
If the target suit is a cue bid of the opponents suit, then the responder is indicating game values, 4 cards in an unbid major, but no stopper in opponents' suit.
If responder makes a “fast” bid of 3NT, responder has game values, no unbid 4 card major, and no stopper in opponents' suit. If opener does not have a stopper, opener normally takes it out to 4C and bidding proceeds normally.
Slow Responses
A “slow response” always starts with responder bidding 2NT. “Slow” responses are not transfers. Opener is expected to automatically bid 3C.
If responder was weak with a long club suit, responder passes.
Otherwise responder is indicating invitational values. If opener is in the min range then game is not expected though possible in some circumstances. If opener is in the max range then game is expected.
After opener's rebid of 3C, responder bids a suit or 3NT. If a new suit, responder promises 5+ cards in suit and invitational values.
If responder cue bids opponents' suit, responder has 4 cards in an unbid major and a stopper in opponents suit.
If responder bids 3NT, responder does not have 4 cards in an unbid major and does have a stopper in opponents' suit.
Bid Matrix
1NT
| Opener | Overcaller | Responder | Opener Rebid | Responder Rebid | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1NT | |||||
| 2X | |||||
| Double | Stolen bid | ||||
| 2Y | New suit, system bid | ||||
| 2NT | Lebenshol Slow Response | ||||
| 3C | Automatic response | ||||
| Pass | Weak hand, to play at 3C | ||||
| 3Y | New suit, invitational, 5+ cards | ||||
| 3X | Opp suit, invitational, 4 cards in unbid major, stopper | ||||
| 3NT | Invitational, no 4 card major, stopper | ||||
| 3(Y-1) | Transfer to new suit Y, weak/strong 5+ cards | ||||
| 3(X-1) | Transfer to opp suit, strong, 4 cards in unbid major, no stopper | ||||
| 3N | Strong, no 4 card major, no stopper |
Weak 2
| Opponent | Overcaller | Advancer | Overcaller Rebid | Advancer Rebid | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2X | Weak 2 | ||||
| Double | TO | ||||
| 2Y | New suit, to play | ||||
| 2NT | Lebenshol Slow Response | ||||
| 3C | Automatic response | ||||
| Pass | Weak hand, to play at 3C | ||||
| 3Y | New suit, invitational, 5+ cards | ||||
| 3X | Opp suit, invitational, 4 cards in unbid major, stopper | ||||
| 3NT | Invitational, no 4 card major, stopper | ||||
| 3(Y-1) | Transfer to new suit Y, weak/strong 5+ cards | ||||
| 3(X-1) | Transfer to opp suit, strong, 4 cards in unbid major, no stopper | ||||
| 3N | Strong, no 4 card major, no stopper |
