Newer Players
Bidding Basics
The opponents open and we overcall BY LARRY COHEN
larryco.com
Overcalling at the one level 11-count. Examples after their 1: A Q J 10 9 8 7 A 2 K 3 2 2.
A one-level overcall shows at least a 5 4 4 3 2 A 2 A K J 9 8 7 2NT and 3NT overcalls of a preempt
five-card suit, very rarely a great four- are natural. A 2NT overcall shows
card suit. The high-card point range is This is a fine 2 overcall in all
respects. roughly 15–18 with their suit stopped.
approximately 8–17. With more, don’t Over their 2, overcall 2NT with:
overcall – start with a double. Here are Q 5 4 K J 7 6 5 Q 5 4 K 2
some examples after the opponents K 2 K J 9 A Q 10 7 4 K J 9.
This is a pass. Don’t overcall 2 with
have opened 1: A 3NT overcall of their weak two-
this mediocre hand and suit.
A Q 7 6 2 K 10 2 6 5 4 8 6 At the three level or higher, you want bid is “to play” – a very strong hand
to have even a little more; at least that wants to be in 3NT. Over their
Overcall 1. This is a minimum. If 2, overcall 3NT with either of these
vulnerable, it is borderline, but would opening bid strength and a decent suit
would be typical. After their 2, over- hands:
be clearer if the spades were better,
something like: A Q 10 9 7. call 3 with: K 2 K 2 K 2 A K Q 10 7 6 2
K J 4 Q 5 4 J 6 4 3 2 Q 2 A 2 A Q 10 7 6 8 6 A Q 3 2, K Q 9 K 2 A Q 10 6 3 A K Q.
Pass. This is a five-card suit and 9 but pass with: If they preempt at the three level,
HCP, but judgment is needed; the suit J 4 2 A J 7 6 5 K 10 2 K 2. 3NT is also to play. It could be made
is lousy and the hand is lousy. with either of the hands just shown, or
much less, for example:
A 4 K J 9 7 6 5 A K 3 J 2 Jump overcalls
An overcall that skips a level is weak. A K J 9 K 2 A Q J 10 5 A 10 7
Overcall 1. This is a maximum, but
jump overcall to the two level is like a After a four-level preempt, double
not strong enough to double and then
weak-two opening, and a jump overcall shows a good hand (intended as take-
bid hearts.
to the three level is like a preemptive out). A 4NT overcall of any preempt
6 5 4 A Q 7 6 2 A K Q 2 3 three opening. Examples after they shows a good hand and a two-suiter
Overcall 1. Yes, there is shortness in open 1: with at least 5–5 (presumed to be the
the opponent’s suit, but doubling will K Q 9 8 6 3 3 2 K 3 2 3 2 minors).
lead to a 1 contract opposite, say:
Jump to 2. If vulnerable, you might
Q 7 3 2 K J 3 8 6 J 7 6 5. want to have a little more, such as:
Two-suited overcalls
This series is meant to be basic, but
Overcalling 1NT shows a hand that K Q J 10 8 4 3 2 K 3 2 3 2. curious readers can Google “Unusual
would have opened 1NT but must have Notrump” and “Michaels” bids to
Jump to 3 with:
the opponent’s suit stopped. Overcall explore conventional two-suited
their 1 with 1NT holding: 4 3 2 7 6 3 K Q J 10 8 7 6
overcalls. In a nutshell, these conven-
K J 9 K 6 3 K 7 4 A Q J 9 If vulnerable, you might want to have tions employ a way to show at least
a little more: 5–5 in two suits. A jump overcall of
or
4 4 J 10 7 6 K Q J 10 8 7 6. 2NT shows the two lowest unbid suits.
Q 10 6 Q 9 K Q J 10 3 A Q 9. A cuebid (bidding their suit) shows
Versus preempts the majors (1–2 or 1–2). If
Overcalling at the two level or Use the same guidelines as above. 1–2 or 1–2, the cuebid shows
higher You can’t “preempt a preempt.” the other major and either minor.
A two-level overcall has a higher
Accordingly, jump overcalls show Bidding Basics quiz on page 52
minimum than a one-level overcall. It
intermediate hands and decent six-
is roughly opening bid strength and the
plus card suits. Over their 2, bid 3
suit should be decent. Don’t overcall
with:
with a so-so five-card suit and a so-so
July 2021 | Bridge Bulletin | 51
BIDDING BASICS
continued from page 51
Bidding Basics Quiz
What is your call after their 1 open-
ing with:
1) A Q J 10 2 5 4 J 10 3 2 3 2
2) A Q J 5 4 K 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
3) K Q J 8 7 6 3 2 2 10 9 8 7
What is your call after their 2 (weak)
opening with:
4) Q 7 6 5 4 Q 7 6 Q 2 K Q 2
5) K Q J 10 8 2 A 3 2 9 5 A Q
What is your call after their 3 open-
ing with:
6) K 8 7 6 2 K 5 4 Q 5 A 3 2
7) A Q K 3 2 A K Q J 7 J 4 3
What is your call after 1–Pass–1
with:
8) A 2 K Q 10 8 7 6 A 2 J 7 6
Bidding Basics Quiz Answers
1) 1. A normal minimum.
2) Pass. Not enough hand or suit to
overcall at the two level.
3) 2. Like a weak two-bid.
4) Pass. Not enough for a two-level
overcall.
5) 3. Intermediate (you can’t pre-
empt a preempt).
6) Pass. Not enough for a three-level
overcall.
7) 3NT. Hopefully partner has a little
something.
8) 2. This wasn’t exactly covered
above, but overcalling in this situation
follows the same rules. This is enough
for a two-level overcall.
52 | Bridge Bulletin | July 2021
