D11 OVERCALLS

BIDDING WHEN OPPONENTS HAVE OPENED 1 OF A SUIT

The overcalls described below are initially limit bids. The bidder does not promise a 'rebid'

1. Overcall of a suit at the minimum level (over 1 of a suit by opponents)

Less than 16 points, Around 5 playing tricks, 5 card suit

e.g. 1ª over 1§ with ª K Q J 10 8 7 © J 10 2 ¨ 4 3 2 § 2

2. Jump Suit Overcall (overcall at one level higher than necessary over one of a suit by oppo)

Around 7 playing tricks, a good 6 card suit and an outside trick.

e.g. 2 ª over 1§ with ª A Q J 10 8 7 © Q 10 2 ¨ K Q J § 2

3. One No Trump (over 1 of a suit by opponents)

15 to 17 points, Stopper (a trick) in opponents suit, balanced

e.g. 1NT over 1 ª with ª A Q 9 © K Q 10 2 ¨ K J 10 § 4 3 2

4. 'Informatory' Double (over 1 or 2 of a suit by opponents)

Only used when partner has passed or not yet had a bid.

a) On three suited hands, shortage in opponents suit, 12+ points asking for partner to bid his best suit. If opponents have bid 2 suits, then it shows an opener with the other 2 suits.

e.g. over 1 §, double with ª A K 3 2 © A Q 4 3 ¨ J 6 4 3 § 5

b) On Strong balanced hands, more than 17 points

e.g. over 1 ©, double with ª A K 3 © A J 4 3 ¨ J 6 2 § A Q 4

and bid no trumps over partners response (with a 'stopper).

c) On Strong unbalanced hands, more than 16 points

e.g. over 1 ©, double with ª A K J 9 5 © A ¨ J 96 2 § A Q 4

and bid 2 spades over partners response.

Health Warning ; It is dangerous to overcall on balanced hands containing less than 15 points

It is dangerous to overcall on bad 5 card suits without the playing strength.

RESPONDING TO PARTNER'S OVERCALL

Try to visualise what partner will have for the overcall .

a) To an 'informatory double' You must respond with your best suit even if it is only 3 cards . Only pass if your trumps are both long (6+) and strong. You will assume that partner has, in effect, bid three suits in one bid. Bid your best suit to the appropriate level as if partner had opened with one of that suit. Your bid is a limit bid in Acol and the doubler is not obliged to bid again. If he does, he will be very strong, at least 16 points or shape to compensate.

If you wish your partner (the doubler) to choose the suit, then mark time with a bid of the opponents suit. This says to partner, 'you choose'.

To respond in NT, you will need 2 good stoppers in their suit. Remember, partner has advertised weakness in this suit.

b) In response to partners minimum level suit overcall, remember that partner always has less than 16 points. Assume about one trick worse than an opening bid and a 5 card suit. .

-With 4 card support or more, raise partner, whatever your count. Overbid with a fit

-With 3 card support, pass with 0-8, raise with 9-12, invite game with 13 +, bid game with 15+

-With less than 3 trumps, pass on less than 13 points unless you have a very strong 5 + card suit of your own which you may bid at the minimum level (not forcing). With 13+ points, jump bid your best suit (a forcing bid) or bid no trumps with a good stopper in the opponents suit.

As a general rule, pass and get out of the auction with a misfit, overbid with a fit for partner..

c) In response to a 1NT overcall, responder normally passes or bids the final contract.