I spent ages thinking about this hand, working out all kinds of things in my head, trying to get a grip on what all the Lebensohl options actually are. I came so close to bidding 4 hearts (overruling the sign-off) and was devastated (not really) that I only scored 17% with 3H+1 (if I'd made an extra trick maybe 30%), and that a substantial minority of the field had ignored the sign-off (or reached game via 1D). I was fairly reassured to be surrounded by many players calling themselves advanced or expert though
Please help
I should have gone with my instincts and ignored the sign off (and possibly the ire of my partner, if human). What I find interesting is whether hands are being setup specifically to catch out and handicap better players, players who actually do follow conventions or some other reason - just coincidence is it? Speaking as someone who always sticks to the letter of the law myself so to speak
Or is it a no trump evaluation test in which case a lot of good players underbid
I would tend to look at that opening hand as a very strong no trump, with 17 points and (only 6 losers with a fit), and with 4 trumps etc, it seemed an obvious raise to game. Sadly I didn't. If I undervalue a No Trump opener I then compensate on my rebid etc, usually, or vice versa overbid then downgrade my second bid etc. But there seem very few good rules for evaluating no trump hands given the variety of options you could face etc
regards P