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Natural (2X)

(2Y)NAT
X!T/O, 12+
2ZNAT, 12–17, 5+#
2NTNAT, 16–18
3XNAT, 14–18, often 6+#
3YAsk for stopper, SOL 7+ suit or STR T/O
3ZNAT, 15–17, 6+#
(2m)NAT
4m!Leaping Michaels, 5+♠, 5+♥
4om!Leaping Michaels, 5+♠♥, usually 5+#
4NT!NF S/T in om
(2M)NAT
3M!Ask for stopper, SOL 7+ suit or STR 4+♣ 4+♦
4m!Leaping Michaels, 5+OM, usually 5+#
4M!Leaping Michaels, 5+♦, 5+♣, usually unstopped
4NT!NF UNT with stopper, 5+♦, 5+♣

(2♣)X

Rubens advances suffice for (2♣)X because it is the lowest suit.

(2♣)X-T/O
2XNAT NF
2NTNAT INV
3♣!INV+ TRF, 5+♦
3♦!INV+ TRF, 5+♥
3♥!INV+ TRF, 5+♠
3♠!FG, usually 6+♦

(2♦♥♠)X

Rumpelsohl by Paul van Rijckevorsel was published in The Bridge World, October 1992. Traditionally, (2X)X also start Lebensohl. However, artificial calls, even limited ones, are not meant to be passed with boring hands. I decide to modify the bidding structure for this subtle difference. There are several reasons to invite with 2NT.

  • Bidding to (2X)X is not free.
  • An invitational X usually lacks a stopper.

Therefore, 2NT includes NF clubs and balanced invitational hands.

(2♦)X-T/O
2MNAT NF
2NT!LEB: 4+♣ or BAL INV
3♣!STAY
3♦!INV+, 5+♥
3♥!INV+, 5+♠
3♠!FG, 5+♣
(2♥)X-T/O
2♠NAT NF
2NT!LEB: 4+♣ or BAL INV
3♣!TRF, 4+♦
3♦!STAY, 4=♠
3♥!INV+, 5+♠
3♠!FG, 5+♣

Again, Larry Cohen’s adjunct swaps 3♥♠ over (2♠).

(2♠)X-T/O
2NT!LEB: 3+♣ or BAL INV
3♣!TRF, 4+♦
3♦!TRF, 4+♥
3♥!FG, 5+♣
3♠!FG STAY, 4=♥