how to counter cappelletti

Cappelletti's major defect is the 2 catchall bid for a 1-suiter. Not only does 2 permit the opponents to pre-empt your real suit, it gives responder TWO cracks to describe his hand.

The 2 Bid (unknown one-suiter)

Responder bids directly only to compete. He first PASSES with an invitational+ hand. Lebensohl does not apply. Initial doubles are takeout or artificial, subsequent doubles are penalty.

NOTE: If the 2 bid is passed around to opener (advancer might pass with a very poor hand and long clubs) then opener must protect with a Double.

If responder has less than invitational values he bids as follows:

1NT	2	P	Might be invitational+
		Dbl	Garbage* Stayman 4=4 or 4=5 or 5=4 majors
		2	5+ NF
		2	5+ NF
		2	5+ NF
		2N	5=5 minors
		3any	preemptive

*Garbage Stayman means after a 2 denial by opener, responder will bid 2 with any of these hand patterns. Opener will then pass with three hearts, or correct to 2.

If responder has invitational+ values:

First pass 2, then if 2 passed around, Lebensohl applies.

1NT	2	P	2
P	P	Dbl		Penalty
		2		4 hearts & 5 minor, opener 2NT asks (also 3 shows 5*)
		2		4 spades & 5 minor, 2NT asks
		2N		Lebensohl, invitational, then 3 = Stayman with stopper
		3		forcing
		3		Stayman without stopper
		3		forcing
		3		forcing

* If opener wants to know responder's minor, he usually bids 2NT. However if he has 5 clubs, he 'asks' by bidding 3. If responder holds 1=4=5=3 or 0=4=5=4 say, he will pass 3, because opener will have no more than 3 diamonds.

First pass 2, then if 2 bid, Lebensohl applies.

1NT	2	P	2
P	2	Dbl		Penalty
		2		4 spades & 5 minor, 2NT asks
		2N		Lebensohl, invitational, then 3 = Stayman with stopper
		3		forcing
		3		forcing
		3		Stayman without stopper
		3		forcing

First pass 2, then if 2 bid, Lebensohl applies.

1NT	2	P	2
P	2	Dbl		Penalty
		2N		Lebensohl, invitational, then 3 = Stayman with stopper
		3		forcing
		3		forcing
		3		forcing
		3		Stayman without stopper

So with a weak 5+ card major, bid it directly over 2. With an invitational hand, pass first, then use 2N invitational Lebensohl. With a forcing hand, pass first, then bid 3M forcing.

The 2 bid (both majors)

For preemptive effect, use the principle 'bid more with less'.

1NT	2	Dbl	Strong 5=5 minors
		2	Strong clubs
		2	Strong diamonds
		2N	Weak 5=5 minors
		3	natural NF
		3	natural NF

After the fit is revealed, then Double is penalty, and a cuebid asks for a stopper.

The 2 bid (hearts plus a minor)

1NT	2	Dbl	4 spades Staymanish
		2	Natural NF
		2N	Lebensohl
		3	Forcing if passed hand
		3	Forcing if passed hand
		3	Stopper-ask
		3	Forcing if passed hand

The 2 bid (spades plus a minor)

1NT	2	Dbl	4 hearts Staymanish
		2N	Lebensohl
		3	Forcing if passed hand
		3	Forcing if passed hand
		3	Forcing if passed hand
		3	Asks stopper

Over Direct Three-level bids