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'The best questions of visitors from the Dutch sister site (Bridgevaria.nl)'. Hi Ed & Peter,
More and more, our opponents make nasty weak two jump overcalls: | West | North | East | South |
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| — | 1♣ | 2♦1 | ?? |
1 Weak jump overcall | West | North | East | South |
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| — | 1♦ | 2♥1 | ?? |
1 Weak jump overcall Strangely enough we haven't been able to find a defence / convention against these jumps, neither in the many books we have consulted, nor on the internet.
We have patched together a defence ourselves but we are not completely happy with it. On top of that it is difficult to memorize (even to us, familiar as we are with extensive convention cards). This is caused by the fact that we have a separate defence against weak two openings, making us mix up these two different sets of defence.
Question 1: Can you provide us with a defence against the weak jump overcall?
Question 2: Perhaps we ask too much here: one defence that caters for both weak two openings and weak jump overcalls.
If that is not possible: a practical defensive system against the opening and another against the jump overcall.
Whatever the result, thanks in advance for your pondering Kind regards,
Tom Olthof (and Bas van Gils)
Reply Ed Hoogenkamp (South) Dear Ton and Bas,
I would say: use a negative double against a weak two jump overcall and a take-out double against a weak two opening.
In itself these two agreements are somewhat similar (true: the situations and therefore the point strength differ, but the basic idea is the same: 'partner I have some values, tell me a bit more about your hand'.)
I suggest you play Lebensohl. (in fact the part of Lebensohl that matches Good/Bad 2NT) in both situations. That way you can distinguish between 'I have something' and 'I haven't got a thing'). Follow the link below, where you'll find a very good treatise of Lebensohl after their weak two opening: You can play a similar defence after their weak two jump overcall if responder (in the auctions below South 1 and South 2) is too weak to bid directly over the jump overcall: | West | North | East | South 1
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| 1♣ | 2♠ | pass | | pass | double | pass | 2NT1 | pass
| 3♣2 | pass | − pass = very weak, club suit
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| − 3♦ = very weak, natural | | | | | − 3♥ = very weak, natural |
1 Lebensohl2 Compulsory, unless North is very strong (18 +) | West | North | East | South 2
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| — | 1♣ | 2♠ | pass | | pass | double | pass | − 3♦ = 'some' strength * | | | | | − 3♥ = 'some' strength * | | | |
| * since South didn't bid 2NT
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Since South 2 bids a suit at the three level (unlike South 1 who bids 2NT first), he shows 'some' values. Nevertheless, North should notice South 2 did not bid directly over 2 ♠! So South 2's 3 ♥ bid cannot show for instance 9 good points and a five card heart suit, since South 2 would have doubled 2 ♠ (negatively), like South 3 below. Never stop thinking! | West | North | East | South 3
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| — | 1♣ | 2♠ | − double = negative, (8)9+; usually 4+ hearts | | | | | − 2NT = 10-11, spade guard
| | | | | − 3♣ = club support, 7-11 | | | | | − 3♦ = natural, forcing | | | | | − 3♥ = natural, forcing |
This approach is easy to learn.
I don't doubt 'Norway' will have a lot to say about this too. My advice: take notice of it but don't use it....
Regards from Barcelona
Reply Peter van der Linden (North) Dear Ton and Bas,
Ed is wrong of course (nothing new), Norway does not have a lot to add, since Norway has adapted and edited Ed's reply (see above). Unbelievable but true: that was enough to turn it into a readable piece... Summarized: - South's strongest action over 2♠ is bidding or doubling (negatively) directly. - South shows a weaker hand, but still some strength, by passing first and bidding on the three level over North's re-opening double. - South's weakest sequence is passing first and bidding 2NT (Lebensohl) over North's re-opening double. Note: in this situation (fourth in hand after their weak jump overcall) re-opening by doubling is not as 'normal' as it is after an overcall at the one level: | West | North | East | South |
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| 1♣ | 1♠ | pass
| | pass | double1 | | |
1 More or less standard, North will very often double here | West | North | East | South |
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| 1♣ | 2♠ | pass
| | pass | double2 | | |
2 Not standard, North may very well pass here When considering whether or not to pass 2♠, South must therefore take into account the possibility that North will pass as well.
About 'Barcelona': if you ever were to play against him, then cancel all take-out and negative doubles, only double for penalties. You will score points galore...
Regards from Orkanger
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