Dear Ed & Peter,
I have always loved Rubensohl (read about Rubensohl here, -Ed. Bridgevaria).
But no one plays a 2♣ or 2♦ overcall of 1NT as just clubs (or diamonds). And many play that 2♥ shows hearts and spades.
What should we do against these, now common, two suited overcalls? Tx, Tom Slobko
Reply Ed Hoogenkamp (South) Dear Tom, My advice: Rubensohl still applies and play double to show points. That is the best approach, I think.
Of course you need to discuss some situations. I mention a few. | West | North | East | South |
|---|
—
| 1NT | 2♣1 | ??
|
1 Majors
This is a difficult situation. A suggestion:
- 2♥/♠ = natural, 5+ weak. Don't take the overcall too seriously. Especially not vulnerable, opponents can easily have xxxx in a major.
- Double, followed by a second double (after West, the partner of the 2♣ bidder, has chosen a major) is for penalties.
- Double, followed by a bid in major shows a guard.
- Pass, followed by 2NT shows the minors.
- Double followed by 2NT is natural.
- Pass, followed by double is for take-out. With some defence, partner can pass with length in suit bid.
- 2NT and up: Rubensohl. | West | North | East | South |
|---|
| — | 1NT | 2♦2 | ??
|
2 6+ in a major - 2♥/♠ = natural, 5+ weak.
- Double, followed by a second double is for penalties.
- Double, followed by a bid in major shows a guard.
- Pass, followed by double (after West, the partner of the 2♦ bidder, has bid a major) is for take-out for the other major.
- Pass, followed by 2NT shows the minors.
- Double followed by 2NT is natural.
- 2NT and up: Rubensohl. Of course you cannot play this with Pete. Too complicated.
With Pete I play: double always penalty, any suit is natural.
Pete still thinks Rubensohl invented the light bulb...(by the way, he also thinks that Stayman doesn't want to go...). Un saludo, greetings from Barcelona Reply Peter van der Linden (North) Dear Tom, Ed is partly right, far too complicated for me...
But seriously, Ed did a good job here. Hard to believe, but I actually think he hasn't been on the terrace today and didn't touch the sangria.
Except that he didn't come up with a solution for: | West | North | East | South |
|---|
| — | 1NT | 2♥3 | ??
|
3 Majors (for instance DONT) ... about which you specifically asked.
I don't know what is commonly agreed here (if at all) but by looking at Ed's solutions I guess this might be a solution:
- Double is for penalties.
- 2♠ = natural, 5+ weak.
- 2NT and up: Rubensohl.
A more serious omission by our man from Barcelona: an important part of Rubensohl is the transfer to the overcalled suit, which is basically Stayman and at the same time asks for a guard. Now that East has shown two suits, NS should agree about which one is the anchor suit, in order to be able to transfer to it.
To be honest: I have no solution.
Time for the terrace and an akevitt, I think. Mmm, better take a few blankets as well; it is not as hot as in Barcelona over here...
PS: I do not think that Rubensohl invented the light bulb, that's slanderous nonsense! Does Ed really think I don't know it was Gyro Gearloose?
En hils, greetings from Orkanger. |