(Overcalls, Continued from page 179)

penalties for going set are less than when vulnerable. We can be a little more aggressive not vulnerable.

The form of scoring - at matchpoint pairs, it is acceptable to risk a big loss trying for a small gain. At IMPs or rubber bridge, this is a losing tactic in the long run.

Responses to simple overcalls

If RHO passes:
1) When partner overcalls, responder's first obligation is to show support, if possible.

After a 1-level overcall:
With about 7-10 points, and support (at least 3 cards), raise partner to 2. With 11-13 points, and support, jump raise to 3. With 14 or more, and support, raise to game.
After a 2-level overcall:
With 7-10 points, and support (at least 3 cards, or good doubleton), raise to 3. With 11 or more, and support, (at least 3 cards), raise to game.

2) Without support for partner, but with good stoppers in the opponent's suit, responder can bid notrump.

After a 1-level overcall:
With about 8-10 points, and a stopper in the opponent's suit, bid 1NT. With 11-13 points, and good stoppers, jump to 2NT. With 14 or more, and good stoppers, jump to 3NT.
After a 2-level overcall:
With 8-10 points, and stoppers, bid 2NT.
With 11 or more, and stoppers, jump to 3NT.

If partner has overcalled in a major, responder's first obligation should be to show support. If partner has overcalled in a minor, responder, only with very good stoppers and marginal support, can bid NT rather than show support.

3) With no support, or stoppers, but a good suit (usually 5+ cards), and a good hand (9+ points), responder bids the suit.

4) Finally, with a good hand, (about 13+ after a 1-level overcall, or 10+ after a 2-level overcall) but no support, no stopper, and no suit, responder can "cue-bid", that is, bid the opponents suit. Game is likely unless overcaller has a bare minimum This asks overcaller to help in placing the final contract. Overcaller can show a second suit, bid NT, or rebid a very good suit, and the right contract can be reached.

5) With any other hand, pass.

If RHO bids over partner's overcall:
If RHO intervenes by raising opener's suit, bids by overcaller's partner have much the same meaning, though it is permissible to stretch a bid to raise, and good stoppers are needed to bid NT. (There is one further option - a "responsive" double.)

If right-hand opponent bids a new suit at the 1-level, or makes a negative double, bids are the same as before. (There is an additional option: a double of a new suit, or a redouble after a negative double.)

If right-hand opponent bids a new suit at the 2-level, bid only with support, or with a good suit of your own - the opponents have the majority of the points.

If right-hand opponent intervenes by bidding NT, be wary of bidding - the opponents have the majority of the points and some trump tricks.

Overcalling after a 1NT or Preemptive Opening Bid

When the opening bid is 1NT, be very careful. Left-hand opponent knows a lot about his partner's hand and can double more easily than if his partner had opened one of a suit. While many pairs still play natural overcalls after 1NT openings, the modern tendency is to play conventional overcall systems.

When the opening bid is a weak 2-bid, or a 3-bid, overcalls have much the same meaning. There are a couple of exceptions, however. A jump overcall should be treated as strong - don't preempt over a preempt. A nonjump 2NT bid should be natural - not unusual. And since the overcall is necessarily at a higher level, better values are needed to enter the auction.

Balancing Overcalls

When left-hand opponent opens the bidding, and partner and right-hand opponent both pass, the overcall structure changes somewhat. A jump overcall should show a good hand. A general rule of thumb is that overcaller's bids should show about 3 points less in balancing seat than in direct seat. Correspondingly, overcaller's partner's bids should show about 3 points more.

Overcalls after 1NT openings and balancing overcalls will be discussed in greater detail later.

Overcalls
Different partnerships have different agreements as to the range of a simple overcall. There are advantages to very aggressive overcalls, especially at matchpoint pairs, and there are dangers.

RHO opens 1§. Do you overcall with the following hands? (There are no right or wrong answers here; it is only important that you and partner agree.)

1) ªAQ765  ©83  ¨K94  §J64
2) ªK94  ©83  ¨AQ765  §J64
3) ªAQJ765  ©A5  ¨K6  §Q32
4) ªQ7653  ©A75  ¨Q64  §A6
5) ªKQJ652 ©75  ¨K64  §T6
6) ªAKQJ  ©75  ¨764  §J432

Responding to Overcalls

LHO opens 1§, Partner overcalls 1ª, and RHO passes. What do you bid  now with?

7) ªK64   ©K632  ¨Q962  §75
8) ªK64  ©K632  ¨Q962  §K5
9) ªA64  ©K632  ¨KQ62  §K5
10) ª64  ©K62  ¨Q962  §KJ53
11) ª64  ©AQ2  ¨Q962  §KJ53
12) ªK4  ©AQ2  ¨Q962  §KJ53
13) ªK4  ©K62  ¨AQ962  §Q53
14) ªK4  ©K632  ¨AQ62  §Q53

Answers to Overcalls, Hands 1-6:

There are no right and wrong answers here; it is only important that you and partner agree. I would overcall on all of these hands - 1ª on hands 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6; 1¨ on hand 2.

Some points to consider:
1) This is a sound 1ª overcall. A good 10 points, a good 5-card suit, and a 1ª bid prevents the opponents from bidding a red suit at the 1-level.

2) This may seem to be identical to #1, but a 1¨ overcall has no preeemptive value. This is a marginal 1¨ overcall.

3) This is borderline between a maximum 1ª overcall and a minimum double followed by a Spade bid.

4) 12 points, but a bad suit. The 1ª bid has preemptive value, yet may get partner off to the wrong lead.

(Continued on page 181)