[Cyberyeti]

So the auction proceeds: (you are south, West deals)

1♣-P-P-1N-2♣-2N

You've never played with your partner before and only have a very rudimentary convention card. You have agreed protective NT is 11-14, but that's it. You play lebensohl over a 1N opener and interference, you have no idea whether system is on over a 1N overcall either in 2nd or 4th seat.

Given this do you:

1. Take your best guess what 2N is and alert accordingly.

2. Alert and explain as "undiscussed might be natural, might be lebensohl".

3. Alert and explain as undiscussed, refusing to elaborate unless grilled to avoid giving UI.

4. Do something else.

Fortunately I had a 14 count and opener had rebid clubs, so 3♣ was an easy conventional out for me, no damage was done. Partner bid 3N and we made it. What partner was doing bidding 2N with xxx, Q10x, A109x, K10x is another story.

[blackshoe]

"We are a new partnership. We agreed on our protective 1NT range, but did not discuss followups. We play Lebensohl after interference over a 1NT opener, but this 2NT could be that, or it could be natural".

If, as is common here, you play something slightly different (Lebensohl over 2♦ and higher interference, over 2♣, X is Stayman, otherwise system on) I would explain that.

So your option 2, with perhaps a bit of 4. 1 is the deWael School, now deprecated officially, 3 is illegal.

[FrancesHinden]

4. Maybe I am short of imagination, but I simply can't think of any meaning for 2NT here other than natural.

[Cyberyeti]

FrancesHinden, on 2012-October-21, 14:18, said:

4. Maybe I am short of imagination, but I simply can't think of any meaning for 2NT here other than natural.

Why can't N have a 13-14 count with too many clubs to want to double, so he bids 3N via lebensohl to show he has/hasn't got a club stop, whichever way round you've agreed.

[aguahombre]

Cyberyeti, on 2012-October-21, 14:28, said:

Why can't N have a 13-14 count with too many clubs to want to double, so he bids 3N via lebensohl to show he has/hasn't got a club stop, whichever way round you've agreed.

I think I will wait a long time for partner to have a 1NT balance, me to have too many clubs to double originally, and we can't control the suit. We will probably be defending 2CX anyway, so it is moot.

[Zelandakh]

FrancesHinden, on 2012-October-21, 14:18, said:

4. Maybe I am short of imagination, but I simply can't think of any meaning for 2NT here other than natural.

If you agree system on after a 1NT overcall from us and 2♣ from them then you might choose to play 2NT as a diamond transfer, or perhaps as an invite with 5 spades and 4 hearts if this is an awkward hand for the methods. If playing Lebensohl then 2NT might be Stayman, or an invite in a major, for example.

[FrancesHinden]

Zelandakh, on 2012-October-22, 08:06, said:

If you agree system on after a 1NT overcall from us and 2♣ from them then you might choose to play 2NT as a diamond transfer, or perhaps as an invite with 5 spades and 4 hearts if this is an awkward hand for the methods. If playing Lebensohl then 2NT might be Stayman, or an invite in a major, for example.

I'm sorry, my imagination is still failing to come up with, as you suggest, a hand with five spades and four hearts that is worth an invitation opposite a protective 1NT overcall but passed over 1C.

[Phil]

What is 1N - 2N? Natural, Clubs or something else?

[aguahombre]

Phil, on 2012-October-22, 16:07, said:

What is 1N - 2N? Natural, Clubs or something else?

I think you answered your own question.

[Cyberyeti]

FrancesHinden, on 2012-October-22, 15:37, said:

I'm sorry, my imagination is still failing to come up with, as you suggest, a hand with five spades and four hearts that is worth an invitation opposite a protective 1NT overcall but passed over 1C.

xxxxx, xxxx, AK, AQ or do you double or overcall anyway (is a 4+ card club opener).

1N-2N would be diamonds without the interference.