[Liversidge]

If opener's 1NT is overcalled 2♦, and responder has 4 hearts or 4 spades and and opener has 4 hearts AND 4 spades, is there a sure way to find the fit? For example, if responder has four spades and bids 2NT, opener replies 3♣, responder cue bids 3♦ and opener shows his hearts (3♥), what does responder do? I can't find anything to cover this situation but I am guessing responder bids 3♠to show spades and deny hearts, and opener then raises with 4 spades. Without four spades and without a stopper, what are opener's options?

[ahydra]

If you know you've got no major fit and no stopper, you start to scramble - at the four-level. This is just one of the reasons I don't play Lebensohl after 1NT.

In most cases I'd settle for 4M on a 4-3 fit.

ahydra

[helene_t]

Maybe it depends on the version of Lebensohl you play, but I would think that 2NT followed by 3♦ promises a 4-card major. Without a 4-card major, responder would have bid 3NT at his second turn. So 3NT over opener's 3♥ shows four spades.

If the 2NT route denies a diamond stopper, opener will have to go on after 3NT even without four spades if he doesn't have a diamond stopper either. Bid 4♣ with four clubs or 4♥ with five hearts.

[Liversidge]

Quote

Maybe it depends on the version of Lebensohl you play, but I would think that 2NT followed by 3♦ promises a 4-card major. Without a 4-card major, responder would have bid 3NT at his second turn. So 3NT over opener's 3♥ shows four spades.

Of course! Just like ordinary Stayman. Thanks.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Stayman ( cue-bid):
--3D Stayman no diamond stopper [ direct-denies ]
--2NT Leb followed by 3D Stayman [ slow-shows] with diamond stopper

No Stayman ( 3NT )
--2NT followed by 3NT to play [ slow-shows ] with diamond stopper [ no 4cd Major ]
--3NT to play but no diamond [ direct-denies ] stopper [ no 4cd Major ]

[Zelandakh]

Or you can play transfer Stayman where a 3♣ response shows a major but is ambiguous about the stop. Opener rebids 3♦ without a stop or something natural (3M/3NT) with the stop. Over 3♦ you can use skip bids for the next round (3♥ = ♠; 3♠ = ♥; 3NT = both+stop) or just advance naturally. Of course none of this is really for N/B players (even basic Lebensohl is intermediate imo).