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OVERCALL
What are the objectives of an overcall
a bid after opponent opening?
- competing for a part score;
- to suggest a good lead for partner;
- competing if double do not apply (shorter in a major);
- to induce the opponents to a higher-level contract;
- to find an effective defense against opponent game;
- to disturb the opponents in their bidding ...
So, with an overcall we try to disturb opponents bidding giving partner
an indication to lead - not really an invitation to game - we are just
competing for a part-score. The deck has 40 hcp and when the opponent
opening has 13 hcp remains only 27 hcp. Considering that to try a game
we need 25 hcp, then our chances to game are restricted. But in some
cases, our partnership have special distribution like singletons in
opponent's high cards then with a good fit our chances to have game
increases.
Only competing in the bidding we will know our chances - passing waiting
for reopen in level 2 or 3 is a poor strategic for brave players.
A important parameter to decide for pass or to bid an overcall is the
vulnerability. If we are nVul and opponents are Vul we can bid more
relaxed to disturb opponents but in opposite situation we must be very
careful and only when we have a solid suit it is more difficult for
opponents punish our overcall.
TYPES OF OVERCALL
There are different characteristics of overcall:
- up the line overcall bid at level 1 or 2 - good indication to lead by
partner and may show a strong hand 9-18 hcp depending on the
vulnerability
- weak two suits overcall - Michaels
- strong two suits - Leap Michaels
- weak jump overcall – one suit 6/7 cards 8-10 hcp
- strong jump overcall - not so common anymore 16+ hcp
- overcall against their 1NT – need special convention
A normal overcall is made with good 5+ cards (with 2 top honors AK/AQ/KQ)
as indication to lead, that also could be done at level 1,
exceptionally, with 4 cards to show the honors concentration (AKQx or
KQJ10) in hands that a double is impracticable - when we have only suit
or when we are shorter in a unbid Major - then we may overcall with a
good suit, because overcall it is important to inform partner that we
are alive.
Examples:
Opener Overcaller our hand - same vulnerability
1♣
1♠ ♠AKJ9
♥72
♦963
♣K1092
- bid only 1 time
1♣
1♠
♠AKJ9642
♥72
♦Q6
♣K2
- bid until 3♠
1♣
1♠
♠AK1082
♥K72
♦A963
♣2
- second bid X 2♣
1♣
1♠ ♠KQ953
♥72
♦AKJ3
♣92
– second bid 2♦
1♦
2♣ ♠K103
♥72
♦J32
♣AKJ82
- disturb opponent
1♦
2♣
♠KJ103
♥72
♦2
♣AKJ842
– second bid 2♠
1♦
1♥ ♠3
♥AKQ2
♦A432
♣J842
- bid only 1 time
1♦
1♠ ♠KQJ9
♥2
♦K32
♣J9742
- indication of lead
1♥ 2♣ ♠J9
♥K2
♦K32
♣AJ9742
- disturb opponent
1♥
2♣ ♠J9
♥K2
♦K932
♣KQ974
- disturb opponent
1♥
2♣ ♠9
♥K2
♦KQ109
♣AKQJ97
- compete alone until 4♣
1♥
2♦ ♠9
♥AQ2
♦KQ10943
♣QJ7
- compete alone until 3♦
1♠
2♦ ♠J943
♥A2
♦KQ10943
♣7
- compete just in 2♦
1♠
2♦ ♠QJ943
♥2
♦KQ10943
♣7
- compete just in 2♦
1♠
2♥ ♠43
♥AQ109432
♦KJ43
♣7
- compete until 3♥
1♠
2♥
♠3
♥AK10943
♦K43
♣K97
- if partner bids 3♥
go to game
Note: it is not recommend overcalls with Qxxxxx or Jxxxxxx. Overcall
should have top honors or a consistent suit at least like QJ109x or
KJ109x and never a suit like J98765 or Q76543 or Q7654 or J9543, but in
second round if the bidding stop you should reopen with your long long.
Overcall weak with long suit (6+ cards need 2 top honors):
Opener Overcaller our hand - same vulnerability
1♣
3♠ ♠AKJ9432
♥72
♦93
♣92
-
destroy opponent communication
1♣
2♦ ♠53
♥752
♦AKJ1063
♣92
-
good indication for lead
1♣
5♦
♠5
♥J752
♦AKJ106543
♣-
nVul against Vul after partner pass
1♦
3♣
♠3
♥9872
♦J2
♣AKQ752
-
disturb opponent - lead's indication
1♦
4♥
♠3
♥KQJ65432
♦32
♣42
-
destroy opponent communication
1♦
2♠
♠KQJ954
♥2
♦32
♣J974
-
reduce room for communication
1♥
3♣
♠Q109
♥2
♦32
♣AKJ9742
-
disturb opponent
1♥
3♦ ♠Ax
♥2
♦KQJ10432
♣742
-
disturb opponent
1♥
3♣
♠92
♥52
♦J93
♣AKQJ97
-
disturb opponent - lead's indication
1♠
3♦
♠9432
♥2
♦KQ109432
♣7
-
disturb opponent organization
1♠
3♥
♠43
♥AKQ10943
♦J43
♣7
-
disturb opponent - lead's indication
===================
What Are Usual Agreements After Partner's Overcall
Supposing we are in same vulnerability - after we overcall and Responder
pass, then the usual agreements for Advancer’s (partner) bid are:
- pass - means no support for partner suit:
Opener Overc Resp Advancer
1♣
1♠
pass ?
=> pass =
♠xx
♥Qxx
♦AJ987
♣Jxx
=> a simple raise = 3-card support 6-9 hcp:
Op Overc Resp Advancer
1♣ 1♠ pass 2♠
<=
♠Jxx
♥Qxx
♦AJ1087
♣xx
- if partner overcall at level 1 our jump support at level 3 shows 4
cards in his suit, and for old partnership that play long time Standard
American, this is an invitation to game. But considering "The Law of
Total Tricks" that teach us that a fit of 9 cards may be a safety
contract at level 3” this jump became more obstructive than constructive
and then partnerships that follow all Bergen-Cohen use this jump to show
a weak hand 2-5 hcp in favorable vulnerability, of course not in 4333
distribution.
So, this jump with 4 cards support must be discussed by partnership. In
fact, to be more precise we recommend a support range constructive with
8-9 hcp when we are Vul against nVul, leaving a range of 5-7 hcp with
4-card support for level 2. This also disturbs opponents if they count
in our hand 3-card support and 8-card-fit to make hand’s evaluation
based on the Law of Total Tricks. Of course, when we are nVul against
Vul, so favorable vulnerability, our weak jump support is always 4-card
weak support - not invitation:
Opener Overc Resp Advancer
1♦
1♠
pass ?
=> 3♠
<=
♠Jxxx
♥Qx
♦xx ♣AJ1087
Vul vs Vul
=> 3♠
<=
♠Jxxx
♥xxx
♦xx ♣K1087
nVul vs Vul
=> 2♠
<=
♠Kxxx
♥xxx
♦xx ♣K1087
Vul vs nVul
=> 2♠
<=
♠Qxxx
♥xxx
♦xx ♣K1087
nVul vs nVul
--------------------------
Opener Overc Resp Advancer
1♦
1♠
X ?
=> 3♠
<=
♠Jxxx
♥Qx
♦xx ♣AJ1087
Vul vs Vul
=> 3♠
<=
♠Qxxx
♥xxx
♦xx ♣K1087
nVul vs Vul
=> 2♠
<=
♠Kxxx
♥xxx
♦xx ♣K1087
Vul vs nVul
=> 3♠
<=
♠Axxx
♥xx
♦xx
♣J10876
nVul vs n Vul
--------------------------
Opener Overc Resp Advancer
1♦
1♠
2♦
?
=> 3♠
<=
♠Jxxx
♥Qx
♦xx ♣AJ1087
Vul vs Vul
=> 3♠
<=
♠Qxxx
♥xx
♦xx ♣K10875
nVul vs Vul
=> 2♠
<=
♠Kxxx
♥xxx
♦xx ♣K1087
Vul vs nVul
=> 3♠
<=
♠Axxx
♥xx
♦xx
♣J10876
nVul vs nVul
- a cuebid by partner shows an invitation to game with 3/4 cards
support and good 10-12 hcp, so Overcaller having up to 12 hcp in bad
distribution like 5332 should not accept the invitation rebidding his
suit to sign-off. But can bid "an passant", if possible, a low raking
suit as a trial bid asking for support (A or K) in this suit - this
trial bid in negative suit must be alerted or must be in your
system-card:
North East South West
1♣ 1♠ pass 2♣
<= invitation
=>
♠10xxx
♥K10x
♦AK108
♣xx
=>
♠9xxx
♥Q10xx
♦AK108
♣x
=>
♠Qxx
♥Q10xx
♦AK108
♣xx
- 1NT shows at least 2-card support 9-11 hcp:
North East South West
1♣ 1♠ pass 1NT
<= 9-11 hcp
=>
♠Jx
♥QJ9x
♦A98
♣Q109x
=>
♠Jx
♥QJ9x
♦A98
♣Q109x
=>
♠Kxx
♥Q109x
♦Q98
♣KJx
- a 2NT shows at least 2-card support 12-13 hcp:
North East South West
1♣ 1♠ pass 2NT
=>
♠Qx
♥QJ9x
♦AJ9
♣K109x
=>
♠Qxx
♥KJ9x
♦K9
♣KJx
=>
♠Jxx
♥QJ9x
♦K983
♣AQ
- if we overcall at level 1 in a Major a jump suit by partner in a
minor suit is "showing fit" invitation with 9-11 hcp and support with
honors in partner's suit showing 4+card suit with 2 top honors like
AKxxx or AQJxx or AKQx:
North East South West
1♣ 1♠ pass
?
=> 3♦
<=
♠Qxxx
♥xx
♦AKJ96
♣xx
---------------------------------
North East South West
1♥ 1♠ pass
?
=> 3♣
<=
♠Kxxx
♥xx
♦xx
♣AQJ10x
---------------------------------
North East South West
1♥ 1♠ pass
?
=> 3♦
<=
♠J10xx
♥xx
♦AKQx
♣xxx
Note: In all these examples Overcaller (East) to decide what to do must
assume for re-evaluation of his hand that partner has 2 losers in the
Opener suit and 2 losers in the unbid suit.
----------------------------------
- if we overcall and partner cuebid in jump at level 3 this is asking
to bid 3NT bid with a stopper in Opener suit. Partner probably has a
strong solid minor suit and additional semi stopper (at least Q10x or
J9xx) in the unbid suit.
North East South West
1♣ 1♠
pass 3♣
=>
♠xx
♥QJx
♦AKQJxxx
♣x
------------------------
North East South West
1♥ 1♠
pass 3♥
=>
♠x
♥x
♦QJx
♣AKQJxxxx
-----------------------
North East South West
1♦ 1♥
pass 3♦
=>
♠QJx
♥x
♦x
♣AKQJxxxx
So, cuebid in jump asks for stopper
Is Another Suit by Advance Forcing?
Another suit by Advance is one-round force?
Partnerships must discuss establishing agreements.
Mike Lawrence in his classic book "The Complete Book on Overcalls"
considers that partner's bid in another suit is not necessarily
one-round force. He said - a cuebid is, for sure, a forcing bid and a
jump in another suit can be forcing, but his opinion isn’t universal for
many players that usually overcall with strength of 12+ hcp.
We can assume, after agreement with partner, that when partner bids
another suit, this has different meaning depending on if he bids a minor
or a major:
- When Advancer bids a minor after we overcall in a major this is not
constructive but just showing his long suit as sign-off because he is
shorter in our suit. Try game in a minor after opponent opening needs a
very special hand distribution.
Overcaller:
♠AQJ9x
♥Qxx
♦Jx
♣K98
Advancer:
♠x
♥J9x
♦KQ10xxx
♣Jxx
Opener Overcaller Responder Advancer
1♥
1♠
pass 2♦
pass pass pass
- When we overcall in a minor suit and Advancer bids a Major suit it is
reasonable suppose that partner is asking for support and that he has a
tolerance of Hx/xxx support in our minor, so this is a constructive but
not necessarily one-round force.
So having 3 cards support or honor second, we should raise to partner's
suit as an invitation if we have a good hand to try game or pass or
rebid our strong suit.
Overcaller:
♠Q9x
♥xx
♦Jxx
♣AKQ98
(1)
Overcaller:
♠Q9x
♥x
♦Jxx
♣AKQJ98
(2)
Overcaller:
♠Q9x
♥Kx
♦Jxx
♣AKQ98
(3)
Advancer:
♠K10x
♥AQJ9x
♦xx
♣xxx
Opener Overcaller Responder Advancer
1♦
2♣
pass 2♥
pass ?
with hand (1) Overcaller should pass
with hand (2) overcaller should rebid his suit 3♣
with hand (3) overcaller should support with 3♥
- When Advancer bids a major in jump then this is one-round force
because in this case the support is guaranteed. Advance will not jump
without support in partner’s minor suit:
Overcaller:
♠A9x
♥x
♦xxx
♣AQ98xx
Advancer:
♠K10x
♥AQJ9xx
♦-
♣K10xx
North East South West
1♦ 2♣ pass 3♥ <=
one-round force
pass 4♣ pass
4♦
pass 4♠ pass 4NT
(1430)
pass 5♠* pass
6♣
and all Pass * 2Keycards with Q
Thus, let’s assume the follow agreement: after we overcall if partner
bids up the line another suit this is not necessarily one-round force
because may be a warning of misfit (void or singleton in our suit) and
so we are allowed to pass. But if partner bids in jump another suit this
is one-round forcing and partner must have support in our suit.
RECAPITULATION:
If we overcall in a minor suit and partner bids a major it is reasonable
that partner is trying to find a fit in a major suit with a minimum of
10 hcp, of course thinking in game, so our possible bids are:
- pass with 2/3 cards support and limited in 10 hcp;
- rebid our 6-card if we are shorter in partner's suit;
- bid another suit - 11-13 hcp (singleton in partner’s suit);
- bid NT with stopper and 11-13 hcp (we have 5332);
- support our partner with 3 cards and 11-13 hcp;
- cuebid to show shorter in Opener suit with 13 hcp;
- jumping to game in partner's suit 14+ hcp.
Rule#1:
If we overcall in a major and partner bids a minor - by bridge logic -
this is not one-round forcing, in fact this suggest be a sign-off, so we
should pass even with singleton.
Rule#2:
If we overcall in a minor and partner bids a Major this is a
constructive bid and tends to be one-round forcing, unless partner is a
passed hand. Thus, in case we have Hx or xxx we should support partner
but, of course, if we are void or singleton then we should rebid our
suit assuming that partner has Hx or xxx cards in our suit.
Example1:
Opener You Responder Partner
1♠
2♥
pass 3♣
pass ?
If you have
♠K10x
♥KQ1085
♦Kxxx
♣x
you should pass quickly
Partner may have:
♠xx
♥4
♦Jxx
♣KQJ8xxx
Responder may have:
♠Jx
♥AJ976
♦10xx
♣xxx
-------------------------------
Example2:
Opener Overcaller Responder You
1♠
2♣
pass ?
If you have
♠10xx
♥K1076542
♦xx
♣x
you should pass but if bidding continue
double pass pass ?
Now you bid 2♥
because your partner
will understand that you don’t have support
to his suit and you have a weak hand.
-------------------------------
Example3:
Opener You Responder Partner
1♠
2♣
pass 2♥
pass ?
If you have:
a)
♠K10x
♥K5
♦Kx
♣xAQ10932
bid 3♥
b)
♠K10x
♥K54
♦Kx
♣AQ1093
bid 4♥
c)
♠K10x
♥4
♦Kxx
♣AQ10932
bid 3♣
-----------------------------------
Suppose you have:
♠AJ10xx
♥x
♦Kxx
♣K109x
and the auction goes:
Opener You Resp partner
1♥
1♠ pass 2♥
<= invitation 11-12+ hcp
pass 3♣* pass
3♦
<= no
♣
honors but in
♦
pass ?
* 3♣
is a trial bid asking for honors in Clubs and partner denies with 3♦.
What should you bid now?
If you bid 3♠
this will be a sign-off but considering that 3♦
should be an honor in Diamonds, you may bid 3♥
showing a possible singleton and then partner may reevaluate his hand to
bid 4♠
having a top honor in our suit thinking in lose only 1♥
and 2♣?
Therefore, 3♥
is a good bid and if partner has
♠Hxx
and doubleton in Clubs, like this hand:
♠K9x
♥xxxx
♦AQJx
♣xx
he could jump to game after 3♥.
Thus after an overcall a partnership, if possible, may start a
conversation before deciding to jump in game or just stop in part-score.
------------------------------------
Example4:
you:
♠AJ10xx
♥Kxx
♦Axx
♣xx
partner:
♠x
♥xx
♦Kxx
♣KJ9xxxx
Opener you Responder partner
1♥
1♠
pass 2♣
<= sign-off
pass pass pass
-----------------------------------
Example5:
you:
♠Jx
♥xx
♦A10x
♣AQJxxx
partner:
♠Qxx
♥AQ1076
♦8x
♣xxx
Opener you Responder partner
1♦
2♣
pass 2♥
<= forcing
pass 3♣
all pass
---------------------------------
After our overcall in a Major if partner jumps in a minor suit we should
consider that this is a Fit Showing Jump or a special support where
partner shows support in our suit with honors in his jump bided suit.
Example6:
you:
♠AJ10xx
♥Kx
♦Axx
♣xxx
partner:
♠Qxxx
♥xx
♦xx
♣AKJ10x
Opener you Responder partner
1♥ 1♠
pass 3♣
<= Fit Showing - invitation
pass 4♠
all pass
------------------------------
Example7:
you:
♠AQ109x
♥QJx
♦xx
♣Q10x
partner:
♠Jxx
♥xx
♦AKQxx
♣xxx
Opener you Resp partner
1♣ 1♠ pass 3♦
<= Fit Showing
pass 3♠
all pass invitation
-----------------------------
Example8:
When after our overcall in a minor partner jumps in a major suit this is
one-round force and shows a good 6+ cards and support to our minor.
you:
♠x
♥Qxx
♦AQJ10x
♣Qxx
partner:
♠KQ10xxx
♥x
♦Kxx
♣AKx
Opener you Resp partner
1♥ 2♦ pass 3♠
<= GF
pass 4♦ pass 5♦
all pass
Should we Double or Should we Overcall?
Assuming equal vulnerability
Opener Overcaller (we)
1minor ?
Suppose we have:
(1)
♠KQ10x
♥K10875
♦Kx
♣Kx
(2)
♠KQ10xx
♥K1087
♦Kx
♣Kx
(3)
♠K10xxx
♥KQ108
♦Kx
♣Kx
This is an open question because some players prefer to double, and
others prefer to bid his 5-card major suit. We understand that after a
minor opening if we have 5-4 in the Majors, we should give preference to
double despites the doubleton in the other minor.
We consider really a terrible option when a player with
♠KQ10xx
♥K1087
♦Kxz
♣x
after 1♣
opening bids 1♠
thinking in second round to bid 2♥,
because
if Responder bids 3♣
Advancer with
♠xx
♥QJ932
♦Axx
♣xxx
will pass and Overcaller without Aces and support of Spades will not bid
anymore Hearts.
Bottom Line:
Our
suggestion to Overcaller assume that a new suit bid by Advancer is an
alert that he is shorter in the Overcaller suit and that Advancer has 6+
cards in weak hand. But a good rule for partnership follows is: After we
overcall in major if partner bids a minor this is sign-off but if we
overcall in minor and partner bids a Major then this is constructive bid
and if we have a decent overcall this is one-round forcing.
===============
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