February 2021 - 49

Newer Players

Bidding Basics
Responding after an opposing 1 overcall

L

ike last month, let's start by making
sure you are on the ball.
If the opponents overcalled with
1, what was your partner's opening bid?
Right, partner has opened a minor and
RHO has overcalled 1. What are your
options as responder?
Pass = Zero to about 7 or 8, or possibly
a hand that wants to penalize 1. More
on that at the end.
Double = Negative. This particular
negative double guarantees exactly four
spades. Not three, not five. Not two, not
six. Exactly four! This is etched in stone.
The strength is approximately 6-plus
HCP. You can make a negative double
with as little as:
Q J 9 2	

6 5	

8 7 5 2	

K 6 5.

BY LARRY COHEN

larryco.com

plus clubs and 10-plus points (one-round
force). Respond 2 after 1-(1) with:

K 10 2	 Q J 8 4	 A Q 2	 Q 10 5

A 2	

Trap Pass = With a desire to penalize
1, you can pass, hoping that partner reopens with a double for takeout. You can
then leave in the double, converting it for
penalty. This is most likely to happen if
the 1 overcaller was vulnerable. You
could pass and hope for partner's reopening double with, say,

J 5 2	 Q 7 6	

J 10 8 7 6.

Respond 2 after 1-(1) with:
5 4	

5 3	

A 6 3	

A K 9 7 6 2.

2 = If the opening bid was 1, then
this shows 6-10, usually with four-plus
diamonds, and denies four spades. If the
opening bid was 1, then this shows
five-plus diamonds and 10-plus points
(one-round force). Respond 2 after
1-(1) with:
K 6 5	

9 8 6	

K J 9 7 6	

6 4.

Respond 2 after 1-(1) with:
Q 2	 J 6 5	 A Q 10 8 5 4	 K 2.

K J 6	 K Q 2	 K Q 2	 10 9 6 5.

K 5 4	 K Q 9 8 2	

A 2	

9 8 4.

Bidding Basics Quiz
What is your response after 1-(1) with:

Is there an upper limit? No. You should
make a negative double with:

2 = Limit raise or better in the minor
opened. Respond 2 after 1-(1)
with:

A Q 9 8	 A J 2	

2. A K 7 6 5	 A 8 6 5 4 	 3 2	

A 6	

3. K 2	 K Q 10	 A Q 3 2	 J 5 4 3

A 7 6 5	

A 2.

So, the word " negative " can be a bit
confusing. Of course, after doubling with
such a hand, you will bid more later on.
1 = 6-plus HCP and five-plus spades.
To help you remember, be happy when
the opponents overcall 1. It allows
responder to convey right away if he has
only four spades with a negative double,
or five or more. Bid 1 (forcing, of
course) with these hands:
J 8 7 6 5	

A K 2	

8 7 5	

A Q J 10 6 5	 A K 2	 A 2	

5 4,
7 6.

1NT = 6-10 balanced with hearts
stopped, fewer than four spades. With
either of these, respond 1NT:
Q 8 7	 Q 10 2	 K Q 6 5	 10 9 2
K 2	 K 10 6 5	 Q 10 5 4	 J 6 5.
2 = If the opening bid was 1, then
this raise shows 6-10, usually with fiveplus clubs, and denies four spades. If the
opening was 1, then this shows five-

A 8 3	

A 5 2	

A 9 8 6 5.

Respond 2 after 1-(1) with:
5 4	 7 4 2	 A Q 10 2	

A J 7 6.

2 = Weak, six spades. Don't make
this bid without partnership agreement/
discussion.
2NT = 11-12 HCP, invitational, hearts
stopped, denies four spades. With either
of these, respond 2NT:
K 6 5	 K 3 2	 K J 2	 J 10 5 4
A Q 2	 Q 5 4	 Q J 6 5	

1. 10 8 7 6 	 A 2	 A Q 2	 A Q J 2
2

4.  - 	 A 3 2	 Q 6 5 4	 K Q 8 7 5 4
What is your response after 1-(1) with:
5. A 9 8 7 6	  -	 A Q 8 7 2	 A 7 4
6. J 6 5	 K J 9	 Q 3 2	 Q 10 7 6
7. K 3 2	 A	 Q 5 4 2	 K 10 7 6 5
8. 5 4	 5 4	 A J 7 6 5	 10 7 6 5
Solutions on page 50.

J 3 2.

3 level raise = Requires partnership
agreement. In modern bridge, this would
be preemptive because the cuebid is
available to show a limit raise or better.
3 of a new suit = Weak, but don't make
such a bid without partnership agreement.
3NT = 13-15 HCP, hearts stopped,
denies four spades. With either of these,
respond 3NT:

February 2021 | Bridge Bulletin | 49
http://www.larryco.com
February 2021

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