Rumpel So HL
Rumpel So HL
Rumpel So HL
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RUMPELSOHL Convention
Rumpelsohl convention is part of the Kaplan-Sheinwold System. This convention has been
given this very strange name as it combines the advantages of Lebensohl and Rubensohl. The
basic transfer system in Rumpelsohl is like Rubensohl except that 2NT is not a transfer. The 2NT
bid is somewhat like Lebensohl. The main advantage of Rumpelsohl is that it distinguishes
between weak/game forcing hands or invitational hands. Double is penalty-oriented. Texas
transfers are on. All bids through 2S (except a cue-bid of their suit, if available) are natural
signoffs. Bids from 2N to 3H are transfers to the next suit. The various responses are:
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(1) Vs. Two-suiter where both suits are known (e.g. Landy, Ripstal, and Brozel): The
cheaper cue-bid is game invitational; the higher cue bid forces to game. All rules are on.
Two level bids, transfers, and 2NT is transfer to clubs.
(2) Vs. Two suiter where one or both suits are unknown (e.g. Astro, Crash): The known suit
is the cue-bid suit and all basic rules apply.
(3) Cue-bids are Stayman-like in nature (unless the overcall showed both majors), and
generally game-forcing.
(4) Delayed cue-bids (after two notrump relay) show a stopper.
(5) Four-level jumps retain their normal meaning.
(6) Doubles and redoubles are natural. Double promises defensive values in one or both of
the opponents’ suits. Opener is invited to double anything he can. Redouble shows a
good hand.
(7) Delayed doubles after an initial pass are for penalty. Delayed suit bids are merely
competitive.
(8) Vs. Artificial doubles, ignore them.
(9) Pass is forcing. If partner of the overcaller passes the conventional takeout (other than an
artificial double), the notrump opener must reopen the auction with a redouble or a bid
of a five-card or longer suit.
Meckwell Escapes
Meckwell Escapes comprise an escape system for use after your side has opened 1NT and the
opponents have doubled for penalty. They're named for American experts Jeff Meckstroth and
Eric Rodwell. After the opposing double, responder bids as follows:
Bid Meaning
Pass Clubs or diamonds or both majors. Partner is required to bid 2 or his 5 card suit. Opener’s
redouble shows both majors (4-4)
XX Natural.
2 At least 4-4 in clubs and a higher suit. Partner can pass or correct to 2 asking for the higher
suit.
2 At least 4-4 in diamonds and a higher suit. Partner can pass or correct to 2 asking for the
2
higher suit.
2 Natural, 5+ hearts.
2 Natural, 5+ spades.
3N Solid 7+card minor, nothing else outside. Opener is expected to bid 4C without reasonable
stoppers.
Meckwell escapes are relatively easy to remember. Redouble is natural. Direct suit bids are
natural (with minors promising a higher suit). The forcing pass handles all other hand types.
Responder's rebids after making a forcing pass and hearing opener rebid 2 :
Rebid Meaning
Pass 5+ clubs.
2 5+ diamonds.
2 At least 4-4 in hearts and spades. Partner can pass or correct to spades.
With 4-3-3-3 shape, responder can either treat his four-card suit as a five-card suit, or he can
treat his four-card suit and his best 3-card suit as a two-suiter. In these situations, pray that your
opponents elect to introduce a suit of their own.
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Examples
The following examples assume a strong 1NT opening. However, you can naturally tweak these
hands for your own 1NT range.
Opener Responder
Q3 642
KQ92 65
JT7 K9852
AKJ4 T87
1. For penalty.
2. Artificial relay to 2 .
3. Completing the relay.
4. A diamond one-suiter.
Opener Responder
AT 8652
AQ73 KT92
AJT8 973
632 T7
1. For penalty.
2. Artificial relay to 2 .
3. Completing the relay.
4. 4-4 in the majors.
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Opener Responder
KJT Q543
A932 876
KT J9743
AQ83 5
1. For penalty.
2. Diamonds and a higher suit.
3. I don't like diamonds. What's your higher suit?
4. Spades.
After 1NT=p=p=X=p=p:
Bid Meaning
XX If opponents double in the passout seat, a redouble by opener shows 4-4 majors.
2 At least 4-4 in clubs and a higher suit. Partner can pass or correct to 2 asking for the
higher suit.
2 At least 4-4 in diamonds and a higher suit. Partner can pass or correct to 2 asking for
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the higher suit.
2 At least 4-4 in H and a higher suit Spade. Partner can pass or correct to 2S.
Responses are unchanged except that opener must pass with two cards in
+
partner’s suit. Redouble is natural showing a fair 4 card suit and willing
to play the redoubled contract.
Over all three level bids, doubles are negative. 1N-2X-3Y is invitational. 1N-3X-4m is natural
and forcing. Over four level bids, double are usually for penalty; however, for five level bids
they are again for takeout.
Meckwell escape
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Against Woolsey/DONT double
Double stayman
2D/2H/2S suit for play
2N puppet to 3C. Over 3C bid by opener, responder’s rebids are:
Pass, shows a hand with long clubs
New suit (3D, 3H, 3S), Invitational hand with at least 5-cards in the bid suit.
3NT, to play and shows stopper (same as in Standard Lebensohl).
Three-level suit bid (3C, 3D, 3H), transfer to next higher suit (3D, 3H, 3S), either signoff
or game forcing hand. Responder will bid over opener’s response with a game forcing
hand.
Delayed doubles after an initial pass are for penalty. Delayed suit bids are merely
competitive.
If responder passes, then after opponent’s bid, dbl by opener is takeout-opener has
generally xx in opponent’s suit.
Texas transfer 4D to H and 4H to spade
2C when natural-DONT
Double stayman
2D/2H/2S suit for play
2N puppet to 3C. Over 3C bid by opener, responder’s rebids are:
Pass, shows a hand with long clubs
New suit (3D, 3H, 3S), Invitational hand with at least 5-cards in the bid suit.
Cue-bid of overcaller’s suit, is like game forcing Stayman and promises a 4-
card major and also shows a check in the opponent’s suit. Opener bids a 4-
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card major, otherwise 3NT.
3NT, to play and shows stopper (same as in Standard Lebensohl).
Three-level suit bid (3C, 3D, 3H), transfer to next higher suit (3D, 3H, 3S), either signoff
or game forcing hand. Responder will bid over opener’s response with a game forcing
hand. A transfer into opponent’s suit is like Stayman and promises a 4-card major and
denies a check in the opponent’s suit.
Delayed doubles after an initial pass are for penalty. Delayed suit bids are merely
competitive.
If responder passes, then after opponent’s bid, dbl by opener is takeout-opener has
generally xx in opponent’s suit
Texas transfer 4D to H and 4H to spade
2C –both major
Double: penalty
2D for play
2H: invitational
2S: Minor Stayman: GF
3H: Guard for H; Partner is asked to bid 3N if guard in S
2N puppet to 3C. Over 3C bid by opener, responder’s rebids are:
Pass, shows a hand with long clubs
New suit 3D is Invitational hand with at least 5-cards in the bid suit.
3NT, to play and shows stopper (same as in Standard Lebensohl).
Three-level suit bid 3C is transfer to next higher suit 3D, either signoff or game forcing
hand.
3N for play, has stopper in both suits
Delayed doubles after an initial pass are for penalty. Delayed suit bids are merely
competitive.
If responder passes, then after opponent’s bid, dbl by opener is takeout-opener has
generally xx in opponent’s suit.
4N-both minor
1NT-2D(suit, DON’T)
Double-Penalty
2H/2S suit for play
2N- puppet to 3C. Over 3C bid by opener, responder’s rebids are:
Pass, shows a hand with long clubs
New suit ( 3H, 3S), Invitational hand with at least 5-cards in the bid suit.
Cue-bid of overcaller’s suit, is like game forcing Stayman and promises a 4-
card major and also shows a check in the opponent’s suit. Opener bids a 4-
card major, otherwise 3NT.
3NT, to play and shows stopper (same as in Standard Lebensohl).
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Three-level suit bid (3D, 3H), transfer to next higher suit 3H, 3S, either signoff or game
forcing hand. Responder will bid over opener’s response with a game forcing hand. A
transfer into opponent’s suit 3C-3D is like Stayman and promises a 4-card major and
denies a check in the opponent’s suit.
1NT-3NT: No stopper
Delayed doubles after an initial pass are for penalty. Delayed suit bids are merely
competitive.
If responder passes, then after opponent’s bid, dbl by opener is takeout-opener has
generally xx in opponent’s suit.
4D/4H texas transfer to H/S
4C both majors
Double: penalty
2H: invitational
2S: Minor Stayman: GF
3H: Guard for H; Partner is asked to bid 3N if guard in S
3S: Guard for S; Partner is asked to bid 3N if guard in H
2N puppet to 3C. Over 3C bid by opener, responder’s rebids are:
Pass, shows a hand with long clubs
New suit 3D is Invitational hand with at least 5-cards in the bid suit.
3NT, to play and shows stopper (same as in Standard Lebensohl).
Three-level suit bid 3C is transfer to next higher suit 3D, either signoff or game forcing
hand.
3N for play, has stopper in both suits
Delayed doubles after an initial pass are for penalty. Delayed suit bids are merely
competitive.
If responder passes, then after opponent’s bid, dbl by opener is takeout-opener has
generally xx in opponent’s suit.
4N-both minor
1NT-2H
Double-Penalty
2S-suit for play
2NT is puppet to 3C. Over 3C bid by opener, responder’s rebids are:
Pass, shows a hand with long clubs
New suit, Invitational hand with at least 5-cards in the bid suit.
Cue-bid of overcaller’s suit, is like game forcing Stayman and promises a 4-
card major and also shows a check in the opponent’s suit. Opener bids a 4-
card major, otherwise 3NT.
3NT, to play and shows stopper (same as in Standard Lebensohl).
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Three-level suit bid (3C, 3H), transfer to next higher suit, either signoff or game forcing
hand. Responder will bid over opener’s response with a game forcing hand. A transfer
into opponent’s suit 3D to 3H is like Stayman and promises a 4-card major and denies a
check in the opponent’s suit.
3S, shows a game forcing hand with no 4-card major, a partial stopper (like Jxx) in
opponents’ suit and usually length in both minors. Opener to bid 3NT with a check
otherwise show his better minor.
3N-No stopper
Delayed doubles after an initial pass are for penalty. Delayed suit bids are merely
competitive.
If responder passes, then after opponent’s bid, dbl by opener is takeout-opener has
generally xx in opponent’s suit.
4C-Club and Spade (5+5): leaping Michael
4D: Diamond+ spade (5+5) leaping Michael
4H: both minors
1NT-2S
Double-Penalty
2NT is puppet to 3C. Over 3C bid by opener, responder’s rebids are:
Pass, shows a hand with long clubs
New suit, Invitational hand with at least 5-cards in the bid suit.
Cue-bid of overcaller’s suit, is like game forcing Stayman and promises a 4-
card major and also shows a check in the opponent’s suit. Opener bids a 4-
card major, otherwise 3NT.
3NT, to play and shows stopper (same as in Standard Lebensohl).
Three-level suit bid (3C, 3D), transfer to next higher suit, either signoff or game forcing
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hand. Responder will bid over opener’s response with a game forcing hand. A transfer
into opponent’s suit 3H to 3S is like Stayman and promises a 4-card major and denies a
check in the opponent’s suit.
3S, shows a game forcing hand with no 4-card major, a partial stopper (like Jxx) in
opponents’ suit and usually length in both minors. Opener to bid 3NT with a check
otherwise show his better minor.
3N-No stopper
Delayed doubles after an initial pass are for penalty. Delayed suit bids are merely
competitive.
If responder passes, then after opponent’s bid, dbl by opener is takeout-opener has
generally xx in opponent’s suit.
4C-Club and Heart (5+5): leaping Michael
4D: Diamond+ Heart (5+5) leaping Michael
4S: both minors
FURTHER TO my article developing modern ideas on the use of Lebensohl continuations when
defending against Weak Two bids and the Multi 2D (April 2013 issue, pages 22-23), I thought
we would look at Leaping Michaels as a defence to two-level openings (Weak Twos and the
Multi) and also consider non-Leaping Michaels against three-level pre-emptive bids.
Leaping Michaels
Over a 2M preempt then jumping in the other Major shows a strong 1-suited hand (“we don’t
Preempt a Preempt.”) But if we have a strong hand with a long minor then we are unlikely to
go past 3NT. A jump to 4-minor is an illogical call and thus is an excellent candidate to be used
as a conventional call. These jumps (leaps) will be used to show the strong two-suited hands.
These are terrific bids to have in your armory. They are highly descriptive, very effective but,
just as importantly, enormous fun to play!
The basic idea is to play as follows:
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4D = Diamonds + spades (at least 5-5)
The principle is that you can ‘leap’ to a Michaels-style bid at the four level. These bids guarantee
at least 5-5 in the two suits shown. Since they commit the partnership to the four level by
deliberate choice, a good hand is needed, typically four or five losers at most. The current trend
is to play the bids as almost forcing (95% or so, anyway).
As with normal Michaels cue-bids, I recommend that you do not use the bid when holding a
strong six-card major, as it makes reaching the best contract so much more difficult.
Hand A is a typical example (absolute minimum in my opinion):
AKJ105 A5
3 32
KQJ82 A8
43 AKQ7642
Over 2H (weak) you can bid 4H to show the two suits immediately. This would reserve the cue-
bid to ask for a stopper, so with Hand B:
You could bid 3H over the opponent’s opening 2H bid to ask for a heart stopper with no fear
that partner would interpret it as a Michaels cue-bid.
Typically what you do is to ‘choose’ to play in either of partner’s known two suits. Very rarely
you might decide to pass – and I must stress the ‘very’ in ‘very rarely’!
Given that the Leaping Michaels bid shows a really good hand, the partner of the ‘leaper’ can
sometimes make an immediate slam try either via a cue-bid of the opponent’s suit or Roman
Key-Card Blackwood etc. In order to avoid ambiguity, I would play that RKCB agrees the suit
just bid by the ‘leaper’, e.g. in the following auction:
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1
Diamonds and spades
2
Roman Key-Card Blackwood
Non-Leaping Michaels
If you do start playing these methods, it is very rewarding – not to mention quite logical – to
play non-Leaping Michaels as well. These bids apply when the opponents have opened at
the three level. Thus:
Over 3C:
4C = Both majors
4D = Diamonds + major
Over 3D:
4C = Clubs + major
4D = Both majors
Over 3H:
4C = Clubs + spades
4D = Diamonds + spades
Over 3S:
4C = Clubs + hearts
4D = Diamonds + hearts
Since you are not jumping, I suggest the need for such a good hand (as was the case for
Leaping Michaels, discussed earlier) is not so strong. For example, with Hand C:
5
KQJ32
AQ874
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This hand might well chance 4D over a 3S bid from the opposition. The bid is now not
remotely close to being forcing.
Adding non-Leaping Michaels to your repertoire does not impact significantly on your
traditional approach to dealing with pre-empts. Thus doubles, overcalls at the three level and
bidding no-trumps, all remain the same – it is just the four-level overcalls that are affected.
However, an issue remains with hands which might previously have wanted to overcall
naturally at the four level in a minor, e.g. with a hand such as Hand D:
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A5
2
K74
AQJ7542
Over 3H be careful! You cannot now bid 4C as it shows clubs and spades. Your options
therefore are to pass, jump to 5C, or occasionally have a bash at 3NT (you will need a stopper in
the opponent’s suit, of course!).
Further Treatments
Just for completeness, I recommend the following:
Over 3C/D:
4H/4S = Natural
Over 3H:
4H = Game-forcing two-suiter (spades + minor)
4S = Natural
4NT = Minor two-suiter
Over 3S:
4S = Huge two-suiter (hearts + minor)
4NT = Minor two-suiter
So there you have it. Try these methods out, and let me know whether you enjoy them.
After (3♦) - 4♣, a bid of 4♦ asks for the major. The bids 4♥ and 4♠ are to play.
Some partnerships prefer to interchange the meanings of the 4♣ and 4♦ bids following a
3♣ preempt so that 4♣ denotes diamonds and an undisclosed major. This has the advantage that
the 4♦ becomes available to ask for the major suit. The 4♥/4♠ responses can then be played as
natural (to play).
Leaping Michaels can be utilized after natural two-level preempts, but also after conventional
preempts such as Muiderberg. Even after a Multi 2 diamonds preempt, Leaping Michaels can be
utilised to good effect:
(2♦) - 4♣ : Clubs and an undisclosed major (4♦ asks for the major)
(2♦) - 4♦ : Diamonds and an undisclosed major (4♥ is pass-or-correct)
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When partner makes a Leaping Michaels bid (showing a good hand) and we have a good hand
with support for one of partner’s suits we would like to be able to make a slam try, but because
the auction has gotten so high so quickly we have very little space to make a try for slam.
My personal approach to this situation (which comes up more frequently than you would
expect) is to play 4N as Keycard in the Major and a cuebid of the opponent’s suit as Keycard in
the minor.
Example
(2H) 4D*
4H Keycard in D
4S To Play
4N Keycard in H
5D To Play
This allows us to clearly try for slam in either of Partner’s two suits.
Note: If you are not comfortable playing the cuebid as a Keycard ask, then you can play the
cuebid as a “slam try in the minor”, agreeing on that suit and trying for slam. After that, 4N
would be Keycard in the minor.
Conclusion
Leaping Michaels is a great way to show a strong hand with two suits (immediately showing
both suits) when the opponent opens a weak-two bid. The convention gives up very little since
a jump to 4-minor is almost never bid for something else. It is important to try to find our fit in
these auctions – before the opponents can extend the Preempt and make our life even more
difficult. Discuss these auctions with your partner and upgrade your competitive bidding
methods.
After an opponent opens a weak two-bid and your partner makes a takeout double, your bid of
2NT is Lebensohl. It says nothing about notrump. It asks partner to bid 3C, and you can then
pass, sign off in a suit, or make another descriptive bid.
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When partner doubles, in case of rank of the bid, it may be two types:
If the suit to bid is higher rank, then all three ranges are available:
When you have a very weak hand and want to sign off in a suit that is higher in rank than the
preempter's suit (i.e., LHO opens 2H and you have spades), you make your "normal" minimum
bid at the 2-level
When you have invitational values and want to bid a suit that is higher in rank than the
preempter's suit (i.e., LHO opens 2H and you have spades), you bid through lebensohl
2H-dbl-P-2N
Pass-3C-3S
When you have game forcing hand and want to bid a suit that is higher in rank than the
preempter's suit (i.e., LHO opens 2H and you have spades), you bid the suit directly in 3 level.
If the suit to bid is lower rank, then two ranges are available
2S-dbl-P-2N
Pass-3C-3H
We can add special sequences to distinguish between different types of forcing and invitational
hands. Here's one approach, which you can simplify or expand to meet your preferences:
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Jump below game (2H-DBL-P-3S) = To distinguish whether the suit is 5 card or 4 card: Though
direct 3S bid is game force, we may play one-suited invitation, promising 5+ cards in our suit.
To show an invitational hand with only a 4-card suit, we can go through the Lebensohl 2NT
sequence (2H-DBL-P-2NT / P-3C-P-3S). And Direct 4S is game bid.
Against H bid:
Against S:
Game auctions
Immediate cuebid (2H-DBL-P-3H) = Asks doubler to bid 3NT with a stopper. (This can also be
used to start the description of a one-suited slam try -- see below).
Lebensohl can be used to show a two-suited hand with slam-try (or better) values. To do this,
you start with 2NT, then bid a new suit at the 4-level:
Lebensohl, then 4C or 4D = Two-suited slam-try with that suit and the other major. (If the
opponent opened a weak 2D, Lebensohl followed by 4H or 4S shows that suit and the other
minor.)
Immediate jump cuebid (2H-DBL-P-4H) = Both minors (if the weak-2 was a major). If the
opponent opened 2D, a jump to 4D shows both majors. The jump cuebid shows game values,
but is not a slam try. (See below for how to use Lebensohl to make a two-suited slam try.)
But
Lebensohl, then cuebid at 4-level (4H) = Two-suited slam-try with both minors. (If the opponent
opened a weak 2D, Lebensohl-then-4D is a slam-try with both majors.)
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Choice-of-game auctions
Lebensohl can help you improve your bidding accuracy when you have a good hand, but only 4
cards in the other major. Since the takeout doubler may have only 3-card support for your suit,
it's helpful to give him specific information about your length in the other major and your
stoppers in the opponent's suit. To do this, start with the Lebensohl 2NT (ostensibly showing a
weak hand), and then follow with a cuebid or 3NT:
Lebensohl, then a cuebid (3H) = 4 cards in other major, but NO stopper in the opponent's suit.
Cuebid, then 4 of a suit = One long suit, slam-invitational values. This is used for a hand that's
too strong for a simple jump to game. Your cuebid (2H-DBL-P-3H) originally asks doubler to
bid 3NT with a stopper, but if you then follow with a new suit at the 4-level (4C, 4D or 4S), it
shows slam-try values with one long suit.
Lebensohl, then 4S (after a 2H opening) = Direct 4 level bid is only GF. But we can develop
your own special meaning for this if you like. Since you can use the cuebid-then-4S to show a
slam-try, the Lebensohl-then-4S sequence could be a slam-forcing hand that asks partner to
cuebid.
Thus, after:
1♣-1♥-2♦, 2♠ would be Lebensohl, asking opener to bid3♣ (Minor Reverse: 4th suit)
1♣-1♠-2♦, 2♥ would be Lebensohl, asking opener to bid3♣ (Minor Reverse: 4th suit)
1♣-1♠-2♥,2N would be Lebensohl, asking opener to bid3♣ (Major Reverse: 2N)
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