OvercallsJim Berglund’s Bridge Lesson

21

Rule: Shortness points only count if you have a ‘fit’ with partner

Rule: don’t double-count shortness points and length points

Rule: Count points in the way that gives the highest total

Rule: 3-3-3-4 hands – subtract a point – never open a 3-3-3-4 12 HCP hand.Rule: Always open 14.5 HCP balanced hands 1NT if you have a 5th card in one (minor) suit. Rule: Never open a hand with a 5-card Major 1NT. Bid the Major

♠ A = 4+

♠ Kx = 3

♠ Qxx = 2

♠ Jxxx = .75

♠ J10xx = 1.25

♠ 10 (with other honors) = .5

♠ Doubleton = .5

♠ 5th card in a suit with points = .5

♠ 6th card = 1 point

♠ 7th, card = 2 points, etc.

♠ Void = 5

♠ Singleton = 3

Counting High Card Points

You should, when deciding to make a simple overcall or a takeout double, expect your partner to have seven points, or so. This is arbitrary, but works often enough to be useful. NOTE: it would be delusionary to expect that partner will also have a perfect fit with the right high cards and lots of trump. (at least, it doesn’t seem to work that way for me!)

THE RULE OF SEVEN

♠ One-level doubles are TO and show an opener or better, or a distributional hand, or at least 3-card support for the other three suits. For example, holding ♠876 ♥K543 ♦AQ98 ♣43, a double would make sense over a 1♣ opening. It wouldn’t if the clubs & spades were reversed, (even over a 1♠ opening, as you’d be forcing partner to the 2-level.)

♠ An overcall at the one level shows 8-15 HCP and 1 ½ Quick tricks. With ♠97432 ♥AQ3 ♦Q54 ♣32, bid 1♠. (Partner won’t ever bid 1♠ with ♠AKQ and little else. Partner will expect you have shown at least a Queen, overcalls do not have to be lead directing)

♠ Direct overcalls at the 2-level always show a hand you were intending to open

♠ Jump overcalls always show a pre-emptive hand.♠ A balancing overcall of 1NT shows 11-14 HCP and a flat hand (no

singletons)♠ A balancing overcall at the 2-level may be done with 8+ HCP♠ A balancing double that allows partner to bid at the 1 or 2-level may

be made with 8+HCP ♠ After you have passed, an overcall is lead-directing

Overcalling Opponents’ Opening Bids

♠ An overcall at the one level shows 8-15 HCP.

♥ It should show length and/or strength in the bid suit ♠ An overcall at the 2-level shows show a hand you were intending to open

♠ If partner has not passed, a preempt usually shows 6+ cards in a suit and 5-11 HCP

♥ using the rule of 2 or 3 (planning to go down 2, vulnerable, or 3, non-vulnerable)

♠ If partner has passed, a preemptive overcall is typically stronger than 7 HCP

♠ All 3-level and higher preemptive bids* are intended to disrupt the opponents bidding. They usually show any 7 cards in the bid suit, and very little defense. (Classical treatment was “a 7-card suit with an outside Ace”)

*there are some exceptions possible

Suit Overcalls

♠ Jump Raises are preemptive – including jumps to game

♠ NT bids show points and no more than 2 cards in partner’s suit

♠ Q-bids (bidding opener’s suit) are forcing* and show points with good support. (*Q-bids at the 3-level may have a conventional meaning )

♥ Anything but a rebid of the overcall suit is invitational

♠ A new suit is invitational by an unpassed hand, competitive otherwise

Reverse Rosenkranz Used only after partner's overcall and another bid by opponent

Shows 8+/- HCP and typically, 3-card support

Note: this is an advanced treatment and should be discussed with partnera. If RHO raises or bids another suit

Double shows 3 cards without one of the top 3 honorsRaise shows 3 cards with one of the top 3 honors

b. If RHO doublesRe-double shows 3 cards without one of the top 3 honorsRaise shows 3 cards with one of the top 3 honors

Note: This treatment also makes it easier for partner to make an opening lead

Responding to Suit Overcalls

Suppose instead, partner had overcalled :

1. ♠AK32 ♥A543 ♦543 ♣43

RESPONDING TO PARTNER’S SUIT OVERCALLS

Consider the following sequences:

Opp1 You Opp2 PartnerP P 1♣ 1♥P

Opp1 You Opp2 Partner1♣ P P 1♥2♣

Opp1 You Opp2 Partner

P 1♣ 1♥1♠

Opp1 You Opp2 Partner1♣ 1♥

DBL

What might Partner’s hand look like?

2. ♠AK432 ♥AQ543 ♦543 ♣

3. ♠32 ♥AQ87654 ♦543 ♣2

4. ♠K32 ♥AQ87 ♦543 ♣QJ

5. ♠K5432 ♥AQ87 ♦43 ♣32

6. ♠43 ♥876543 ♦AK ♣J32

10. ♠5432 ♥8765 ♦AKJ8 ♣2

9. ♠J943 ♥8765 ♦AK ♣J32

8. ♠43 ♥QJ543 ♦Axxx ♣J3

7. ♠K43 ♥AQ76 ♦A6 ♣AJ32

You Hold: ♠Q1087 ♥K92 ♦1098 ♣K98What would you do?

2♣

3♥

1♠

1NT

P

DBL

1♠

2♥

2♥

2♥

One opponent likely has less than 6 points. Partner is sitting over the

opener, and her points should work well. You need to explore for

game, and it could be in three places, NT, Hearts or spades.

This time, the opponent with points is sitting over your partner. Your 2 is telling your partner she can lead

the suit , and also forces the opponents to the 3-level, where

the contract may fail.

With both opponents bidding, game is unlikely. Your 2 bid will likely win the play of the

hand, but if the opponents bid again, they may get in trouble.

Opp1 is showing 4 Spades, and may not have a fit with his

partner. Feel comfortable raising the bidding level to 2,

but be happy to defend if partner doesn’t bid again

Direct Seat DBL Penalty-oriented 15+ HCP

1. If Responder passes (forcing RDBL) or RDBL's

Pass - waiting (points). Otherwise, ‘Systems on’, so 2 is Stayman; all other 2-bids are transfers

2. If Responder bids a suit (showing a 2-suiter)

Pass - no points - no interestDBL - Penalty-oriented;Que – bid shows a partial stopperNT – invitational with a stopper (Ace or Kx or QJx)Suit – to play

Balancing DBLShows 10+HCP

Pass - shows 12+HCP and a suit to lead; see above for other action by Opp's‘Systems on’, so 2 is Stayman; all other 2-bids are transfers

Doubles over opponents’ weak NT openers

Opener Responder Rebidder

2♠ Jump Overcall- Fox-Lambert Weak Two - shows 5-11 HCP and 5-7 spades. Values should be in spades (eg 5+ HCP in Spades)

2NT - Asks for further information3♣ - 5 Spades; 9-11 HCP (first step)3♦ - 6 card suit with 5-7 HCP (second step)3♥ - 6 card suit with 8-9 HCP or 7 card suit with 5-8 HCP (third step)3♠ - 6 card suit with 10-11 HCP or 7-card suit with 9-11 HCP (fourth step)3NT - 6 card suit headed by the AKQ or better

3♣/♦/♥ Shows another suit and minimal spade supportFirst step shows 5 Spades; 9-11 HCP ; no supportSecond step shows - 6 card suit with 5-7 HCP Third step shows 6 card suit with 8-9 HCP or 7 card suit with 5-8 HCP with no supportFourth step shows 6 card suit with 10-11 HCP or 7-card suit with 9-11 HCP with no supportA simple raise shows 3 card supportA jump raise shows 4 card supportAny other bid shows support and a singleton or void in the bid suit

When Opponents Interfere…1. Overcall • A Raise continues the preempt• A Double is penalty-oriented. Pass with the 9-11 HCP 5-card suit hand.

Otherwise, (without going up a level,) show your normal response

2. Double• 2NT – bid as if there was no double• New suit – ‘McCabe’ shows spade support but is lead directing• Raise – continues the preempt• Redouble (weak) – asks partner to bid the next higher suit, which

responder will pass or correct

Finally – a Weak Two Overcall!

In direct seat, you should have a hand that evaluates to 15+ playing points. This means that partner can balance with a suit and or 9+ points, or double with 8+ points and support for the other 3 suits

Examples: Over a 2♥ or 3♥ opener:You should have ♠AQxxx ♥Kx ♦KQxx ♣xx or better to make a direct

overcall of 2♠ or 3♠♠QJ10x ♥x ♦KQ10x ♣KJ10x would be minimum for a take-out

double in direct seatWith ♠KQJxxxx ♥void ♦Axx ♣xxx you should pass and expect

partner to re-open, which he should do. Even with ♠x ♥Qxxx ♦KQxx ♣Kxxx he should double or balance with

2NT (opener’s partner has not bid)When partner balances – treat it as a minimum – a Double is the

only bid that requests you to do something. It can be for take-out or can be converted for penalty

Goren Q-Bid - when you are at favorable or even vulnerability – shows 2-suits with slam interest – asks you to bid your longest suit first.

Rule: Never preempt a preempt in direct seat!

Rule: When a major suit fit is found, any bid of a minor suit is likely NOT to play; treat it as forcing

Rule: Over high level preempts, a suit bid shows competing values and is non-forcing.

Rule: A double, or 4NT over 4♠ are the only bids that ask partner for input.

Rule: Partner should not raise with fewer than 2 or 3 tricks - Aces, or a void plus the possibility of winning 2 tricks ( eg AQ).

Bidding over Opponents’ Preempts

A simple jump overcall, 3♠ over 2♥ or 4♥ over 3♣, is a strong bid. Do not make a preemptive bid over their preemptive bid. If you make a strong jump overcall such as 3♥ over 2♦, you are telling your partner that if he has seven points, he may go on to game. This differs from when you make a simple overcall and he has seven points. When he has seven points after an overcall, he should pretend that he has shown his points and should pass.

BIDDING OVER OPPONENTS’ PREEMPTS

THE JUMP OVERCALL

1NTWeak or Strong

Double – shows a 15+ HCP hand with a comfortable lead

Pass for penalty

2♣ - forces 2♦ and shows a hand with 6+ diamonds or a 5-4 M/m hand or better. It does NOT imply a hand with any defensive values. ♠76 ♥J98654 ♦ - ♣ 1087654

If partner passes, she has diamonds. If she bids 2♥, she has hearts and a minor. 2NT asks ‘Which minor?’

2♥/♠ - Natural

2NT for the Minors

Overcalls of Opponents 1NT – Modified Capelletti

I advocate using Modified Capelletti over a strong (16+HCP) 1♣ Opener, as well.

Double – shows good clubs and a good hand2♣ - forces 2♦ and shows a hand with 6+diamonds or a 5-4 M/m hand or better.

If partner passes, she has diamonds. If she bids 2♥, she has hearts and a minor. 2NT asks ‘Which minor?’

2♥/♠ - Natural

2NT for the Minors

Why? The strong 1♣ bid is intimidating to many players. It also has a set of formal responses that these two-level bids make more difficult to use effectively

Getting to a makeable game over a 1NT opener is so highly unlikely, that the objective should be just to get a plus score or the lowest-possible negative score.

Another benefit of bidding over a 1NT opener is that it makes it more difficult for the opponents to use their normal systems to find their optimal contract.

Keep in mind that players are making interfering bids at other tables as well, so if you have a hand where you’re considering taking action or passing, bid.

Opponent You1♣♦♥♠ 1NT Direct – eg P-1♥-1NT shows a normal 1NT

opener. All systems are ON

Balancing – eg 1♣ - P – P – 1NT shows 11-14 HCP and no 5-card suit. All systems are ON

After both opponents have bid – eg 1♦ - P - 1♠ - 1NT is called Sandwich NT. It guarantees a landing place in either of the other 2 suits if partner feels compelled to bid. It should show a bad 8 to a bad 10 HCP and at least 4 cards in the unbid suits. It is NOT invitational. (It may also be bid by a passed hand)

2NT Unusual 2NT – shows at least 5-4 in the minors or in the 2 lower unbid suits

3NT (and any higher bid) is a transfer to the next higher suit

When to Overcall NT, (and what it means)

Unusual over Unusual - also used for other occasions where two suits are shown by opponents (like Sandwich NT, Michaels Q-bid, etc)

A bid of their lower ranking suit indicates limit+ support for the lower of the other two suits

A bid of their higher ranking suit indicates limit+ support for the higher of the other two suits

Partner Opp You2NT Dbl is penalty-oriented

3♣ shows limit raise or better for Hearts3♦ shows limit raise or better for Spades3♥/♠ shows values for the suit bid - competitive but not

forcingRaise should be considered weak

1♣♦♥♠

Unusual over Unusual

1m-2m shows the Majors

1M-2M shows the other Major and one of the minors

A bid of 2NT asks for the minor suit; any other, non-game bid is forcing

1x-2NT or 1x-P-1/2y-2NT shows the two lower unbid suits

Michaels Q-bid over a takeout double by partner– only at unfavorable vulnerability - shows 2 suits asks you to bid your longest suit first

Partner Opp You1♦ 2♦ (Majors) Dbl is penalty-oriented

2♥ shows limit raise or better for Clubs2♠ shows limit raise or better for Diamonds3/♦ shows values for the suit bid - competitive

but not forcingRaise should be considered weak

IF THE OPP’S BID MICHAEL'S

Michael's Q-bid

2♦ Dbl=Diamonds and points2♥/♠ Biddable suit - invitational2NT 16-19 Balanced3♣ - clubs3♦ - majors

DEFENSE OVER FLANNERY

2♦ 2♥=3-suit TO

Dbl=NT oriented

2♠/3♣/♦ to play

2NT=Minors

2♥ DBL=3-suit TO

2♠/3♣/♦ to play

2NT=Minors

Note that the 2♥ variation is more difficult to defend over. Few opponents will have a

formal defense and are more likely to create problems for themselves

Defense over Mini-Roman

Direct DBL of bid Stolen bid, with pointsQ-bid of real suit 3-suit takeoutAny other suit bid To play2NT Same as 1NT overcall, with stopper.Pass, then double Penalty-orientedPass, then bid Two-suited TO, showing the lowest TO suit

Since few pairs will have a prepared defense over these bids, it is only fair to provide this, in written form, for them

Defense Over 2-level 2-way TransfersThese are 2-level bids over 1♣ openers, requiring partner to

transfer to the next higher suit (2♦ to 2♥, 2♥ to 2♠, and 2♠ to 3♦. If passed, the hand is weak; any advance is RKC for the suit.

1 A Pass may show no points, or be waiting to see what happens before making a bid

2 A simple raise is non-forcing

3 A new suit is forcing (by an un-passed hand) for one round. It shows a rebiddable suit and/or support for partner

4 A new suit is non-forcing (by a passed hand) and typically denies the ability to make a raise

5 1NT (or 2NT) shows 7-9 HCP and little support for partner

6 Redouble shows 10+ HCP and tends to show no fit for partner; A subsequent bid of a suit by redoubler is forcing one-round.

7 2NT shows a limit raise or better

8 Jump raises are preemptive

9 Jump shifts show a singleton or void and a limit raise or better

1 1♦ - DBLYou hold: ♠Kxxx ♥Qxx ♦xxx ♣xxx

or ♠xx ♥Qxx ♦xx ♣QJxxxxPass with both. If you have another chance to bid, just raise with either

hand

4 P – P - 1♠ - DBLYou hold: ♠xx ♥Qxx ♦KJ109x ♣xxx

or ♠xx ♥xx ♦xx ♣QJxxxxxBid 2♦ with the first, 2♣ with the second Don’t bid again unless

forced

5 1♦ - DBLYou hold: ♠Kxxx ♥Qxx ♦xx ♣Jxxx

or ♠Axx ♥QJx ♦xx ♣QxxxxBid 1NT with either hand

6 1♦ - DBLYou hold: ♠KJxx ♥QJx ♦xx ♣ QJxx

or ♠Axxx ♥QJxx ♦x ♣ QxxxRedouble with either hand

7 1♦ - DBLYou hold: ♠KJx ♥QJx ♦xxxx ♣Qxx

or ♠Axx ♥QJxx ♦Qxxx ♣Jx Bid 2NT with either hand

8 1♥ - DBLYou hold:♠xxx ♥Qxxxx ♦xxx ♣ xx

or ♠A♥ Jxxx ♦xxxxx ♣ xxx Bid 3♥ with either hand

9 1♠ - DBLYou hold: ♠KJxx ♥QJxx ♦x ♣Qxxx

or ♠xxxx ♥AJxx ♦KJxx ♣JBid 3 with the first, 3♣ with the

second

3 1♦ - DBLYou hold: ♠KQxx ♥Qxx ♦xxx ♣ xxx

or ♠xx ♥ Qx ♦Jxx ♣KQxxxxBid 1♠ with the first, 2♣with the

second

2 1♣ - DBLYou hold: ♠xxx ♥Qxx ♦Kxx

♣xxxxor ♠xx♥Qxx ♦Kxx ♣ KQxxx

Bid 2♣

Bidding After Opponents Takeout Doubles