[jillybean]

There have been plenty of discussions on this topic, and I don't want to open Pandora's box again.
Instead, I'd love to hear what you are currently playing (and if you are in an SLTP, please mention that in your reply).

[mw64ahw]

Transfer Lebensohl variant with SLTP

[pescetom]

Just to be sure (Ingberman is unheard of over here, and Lebensohl is played in many different situations), are we talking about how Responder puts on the brakes after Opener's reverse?

[jillybean]

pescetom, on 2026-November-13, 10:07, said:

Just to be sure (Ingberman is unheard of over here, and Lebensohl is played in many different situations), are we talking about how Responder puts on the brakes after Opener's reverse?

That's what the heading says
(Surely you didn't think I'd leave out those critical details?)

[pescetom]

Some players here simply play that repetition of our own suit is weak but forcing, with all other bids game forcing.

We play that repetition is weak and non forcing with 5 cards whereas 2NT is the French convention Moderateur, weak without 5 cards: with a minimum reverse, Opener will repeat his opening minor giving Responder the chance to pass or raise Opener's second suit. Anything else is game forcing.

My understanding is that Ingberman is similar but Opener with a minimum reverse will always bid 3♣, even if he opened 1♦.

[DavidKok]

Yes I play Lebensohl here. Responder repeating the suit is unlimited, shows 5(+) and is forcing for me, but can be weak.

[jillybean]

DavidKok, on 2026-November-13, 11:53, said:

Yes I play Lebensohl here. Responder repeating the suit is unlimited, shows 5(+) and is forcing for me, but can be weak.

forcing but can be weak, How do you unravel that?

[apollo1201]

 jillybean, on 2026-November-13, 13:09, said:

forcing but can be weak, How do you unravel that?

With a min reverse, opener can bid 2NT, 3 of their suit, or sometimes bid 3 of responder s major with 5422 and no stopper. With a 3-cd fit, you usually want to play game in resp suit (so you bid it with a min reverse and splinter with a max, everyone knows the shortage but you can help responder to go to slam if not min).

[mikeh]

What is a SLPT?

I play inbermam, although in a lot of situations it is the same as lebensohl.

As for auctions such as 1D 1S 2 H 2S, it’s far more efficient o play this as 5+ with no strength implications (fixed a typo)than to play it as weak. Just go through the various permutations and it should be obvious.

As for how you untangle it, opener makes a natural rebid which is descriptive but non forcing and responder does whatever looks best to him. The exception would be a monster hand for opener with 3 card spade support. Now he won’t usually risk 3S over 2S. He’ll bid 4S (on most hands).

I’ve discussed this with some decent flight B players who used the major rebid as weak. I gave them a few example hands where responder had gf values opposite a reverse and they simply got lost after having to manufacture a bid because they feared opener passing 2M.

[pescetom]

mikeh, on 2026-November-13, 15:19, said:

What is a SLPT?

I play inbermam, although in a lot of situations it is the same as lebensohl.

As for auctions such as 1D 1S 2 H 2S, it’s far more efficient o play this as 5+ with no strength imo,icatiins than to play it as weak. Just go through the various permutations and it should be obvious.

As for how you untangle it, opener makes a natural rebid which is descriptive but non forcing and responder does whatever looks best to him. The exception would be a monster hand for opener with 3 card spade support. Now he won’t usually risk 3S over 2S. He’ll bid 4S (on most hands).

I’ve discussed this with some decent flight B players who used the major rebid as weak. I gave them a few example hands where responder had gf values opposite a reverse and they simply got lost after having to manufacture a bid because they feared opener passing 2M.

I have no idea about either SLPT or icatiins (but ica**i in Italian is pretty clear )

I am probably equivalent to an ACBL flight B player and I use the major rebid as weak (although as I said many here play it forcing and I could live with that too).
IIUC you are asking what happens with GF values and spades in the auction where 2S is weak NF:
1D - 1S
2H - ?

With 6 spades I would bid 3S (GF) and with 5 spades I would bid 2NT then 3S (now GF).

[jillybean]

I have no idea what SLPT is but SLTP is obviously Serious Long Term Partnership

[mike777]

 pescetom, on 2026-November-13, 15:39, said:

I have no idea about either SLPT or icatiins (but ica**i in Italian is pretty clear )

I am probably equivalent to an ACBL flight B player and I use the major rebid as weak (although as I said many here play it forcing and I could live with that too).
IIUC you are asking what happens with GF values and spades in the auction where 2S is weak NF:
1D - 1S
2H - ?

With 6 spades I would bid 3S (GF) and with 5 spades I would bid 2NT then 3S (now GF).

I also learned the rebid of the major as weak. Root-Pavlicek, "Structured Reverses." I find it works fine.Decades old.
Gf with 5 of the major goes thru fourth suit. Not 2NT, which is always artificial and weak.Again this is old stuff but it works, I know it, most importantly.


However this is definitely not expert standard in ACBL. Expert standard is as DavidK and MikeH described it.

I thought I was the only one who had no idea what SLPT was

[jillybean]

pescetom, on 2026-November-13, 15:39, said:

I have no idea about either SLPT or icatiins (but ica**i in Italian is pretty clear )

I am probably equivalent to an ACBL flight B player and I use the major rebid as weak (although as I said many here play it forcing and I could live with that too).
IIUC you are asking what happens with GF values and spades in the auction where 2S is weak NF:
1D - 1S
2H - ?

With 6 spades I would bid 3S (GF) and with 5 spades I would bid 2NT then 3S (now GF).

2NT is a relay to 3♣ and now 3♠ is GF?

[pescetom]

 jillybean, on 2026-November-13, 16:56, said:

2NT is a relay to 3♣ and now 3♠ is GF?

2NT is nominally weak and enquires about the reverse. Opener with a minimum reverse will repeat his opening minor, 3♦. Now anything but pass or 3♥ is GF.