1. Overcalls Jim Berglund’s Bridge Lesson 21

2. 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 5 th 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 ♠ 5 th card in a suit with points =.5 ♠ 6 th card = 1 point ♠ 7 th, card = 2 points, etc. ♠ Void = 5 ♠ Singleton = 3 Counting High Card Points

3. 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!)

4. ♠ 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

5. ♠ 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

6. ♠ 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 partner a. If RHO raises or bids another suit Double shows 3 cards without one of the top 3 honors Raise shows 3 cards with one of the top 3 honors b. If RHO doubles Re-double shows 3 cards without one of the top 3 honors Raise 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

7. Suppose instead, partner had overcalled : 1. ♠ AK32 ♥ A543 ♦ 543 ♣ 43 Consider the following sequences: Opp1 You Opp2 Partner PP1♣1♥ P Opp1 You Opp2 Partner 1♣ PP1♥ 2♣ Opp1 You Opp2 Partner P1♣1♥ 1♠ Opp1 You Opp2 Partner 1♣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 ♣ K98 What would you do? 2♣2♣ 3♥3♥ 1♠1♠ 1NT P DBL 1♠1♠ 2♥2♥ 2♥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

8. Direct Seat DBLPenalty-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 interest DBL - Penalty-oriented; Que – bid shows a partial stopper NT – invitational with a stopper (Ace or Kx or QJx) Suit – to play Balancing DBL Shows 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

9. OpenerResponder 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 information 3♣ - 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 support First step shows 5 Spades; 9-11 HCP ; no support Second 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 support Fourth step shows 6 card suit with 10-11 HCP or 7-card suit with 9-11 HCP with no support A simple raise shows 3 card support A jump raise shows 4 card support Any 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!

10. 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 seat With ♠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

11. 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.

12. 1NT Weak 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 hand 2♣ - 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.

13. OpponentYou 1♣♦♥♠1NTDirect – 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) 2NTUnusual 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)

14. 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 PartnerOppYou 2NTDbl is penalty-oriented 3♣ shows limit raise or better for Hearts 3♦ shows limit raise or better for Spades 3♥/♠ shows values for the suit bid - competitive but not forcing Raise should be considered weak 1 ♣♦♥♠ Unusual over Unusual

15. 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 PartnerOppYou 1♦1♦2♦ (Majors)Dbl is penalty-oriented 2♥ shows limit raise or better for Clubs 2♠ shows limit raise or better for Diamonds 3  /♦ shows values for the suit bid - competitive but not forcing Raise should be considered weak Michael's Q-bid

16. 2♦2♦Dbl=Diamonds and points 2♥/♠ Biddable suit - invitational 2NT 16-19 Balanced 3♣ - clubs 3♦ - majors 2♦2♦2♥=3-suit TO Dbl=NT oriented 2♠/3♣/♦ to play 2NT=Minors 2♥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

17. Direct DBL of bidStolen bid, with points Q-bid of real suit3-suit takeout Any other suit bidTo play 2NTSame as 1NT overcall, with stopper. Pass, then doublePenalty-oriented Pass, then bidTwo-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 Transfers These 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.

18. 1A Pass may show no points, or be waiting to see what happens before making a bid 2A simple raise is non-forcing 3A new suit is forcing (by an un-passed hand) for one round. It shows a rebiddable suit and/or support for partner 4A new suit is non-forcing (by a passed hand) and typically denies the ability to make a raise 51NT (or 2NT) shows 7-9 HCP and little support for partner 6Redouble shows 10+ HCP and tends to show no fit for partner; A subsequent bid of a suit by redoubler is forcing one- round. 72NT shows a limit raise or better 8Jump raises are preemptive 9Jump shifts show a singleton or void and a limit raise or better 1 1♦ - DBL You hold: ♠Kxxx ♥Qxx ♦xxx ♣xxx or ♠xx ♥Qxx ♦xx ♣QJxxxx Pass with both. If you have another chance to bid, just raise with either hand 4 P – P - 1♠ - DBL You hold: ♠xx ♥Qxx ♦KJ109x ♣xxx or ♠xx ♥xx ♦xx ♣QJxxxxx Bid 2♦ with the first, 2♣ with the second Don’t bid again unless forced 5 1♦ - DBL You hold: ♠Kxxx ♥Qxx ♦xx ♣Jxxx or ♠Axx ♥QJx ♦xx ♣Qxxxx Bid 1NT with either hand 6 1♦ - DBL You hold: ♠KJxx ♥QJx ♦xx ♣ QJxx or ♠Axxx ♥QJxx ♦x ♣ Qxxx Redouble with either hand 7 1♦ - DBL You hold: ♠KJx ♥QJx ♦xxxx ♣Qxx or ♠Axx ♥QJxx ♦Qxxx ♣Jx Bid 2NT with either hand 8 1♥ - DBL You hold:♠xxx ♥Qxxxx ♦xxx ♣ xx or ♠A♥ Jxxx ♦xxxxx ♣ xxx Bid 3♥ with either hand 9 1♠ - DBL You hold: ♠KJxx ♥QJxx ♦x ♣Qxxx or ♠xxxx ♥AJxx ♦KJxx ♣J Bid 3  with the first, 3♣ with the second 3 1♦ - DBL You hold: ♠KQxx ♥Qxx ♦xxx  ♣ xxx or ♠xx ♥ Qx ♦Jxx ♣KQxxxx Bid 1♠ with the first, 2♣with the second 2 1♣ - DBL You hold: ♠xxx ♥Qxx ♦Kxx ♣xxxx or ♠xx♥Qxx ♦Kxx ♣ KQxxx Bid 2♣ Bidding After Opponents Takeout Doubles