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Natural (2x)

(2y)NAT, x < y < z
X!T/O, 12+
2zNAT, 12–17, 5+#
2NTNAT, 16–18
3xNAT, 14–18, often 6+#
3ySTR 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
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 -
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 non-forcing clubs or balanced invitational hands.

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