September 2021 - 47

Newer Players
Startup Bridge
Overcalls - part 2
O
vercalling in notrump is very
straightforward. It's probably
easiest to use the same
point range you use for opening in
NT, though that isn't a requirement.
Whether or not you use the same
15-17, you also promise a stopper in the
suit opened by the opponent. Partner
can then use Stayman and transfers
just as if you had opened the bidding.
For instance, whatever suit is
opened on your right, you could overcall
1NT with:
J 9 7 5 kA Q J lK 5 4 'A 6 4.
Mark your convention card in the
appropriate box on the back of the
card. If you are using " Systems On, "
check that box as well as indicating
your usual range for the bid. Some
players prefer the overcall to be 14-17,
while others like 15-18. It's up to your
partnership to decide.
Taking an action when partner has
overcalled in a suit is not that different
from bidding when partner has
opened, with two exceptions.
Partner almost always is bidding a
five-card suit. Some players will also
overcall very strong four-card suits
like A-K-Q-x or A-K-J-x.
At the one level, partner could have
a rather weak hand with a good suit.
As to the strength of partner's hand,
there's no way for you to know: Most
players use a wide range for overcalls
at the one level, from 6-16 or 8-17 are
not uncommon.
Make a single raise with three-card
support and at least 6 HCP. If partner
has a weak hand, she won't bid again.
In the meantime, you have used up
opposition bidding room with your
raise, especially if your suit is a major.
Be sure to agree with your partner
about how to show a limit raise. While
jumping to the three level is certainly
legal, it may not be advisable if your
style allows very weak overcalls at the
one level. Instead, cuebid the opponent's
suit to show a limit raise:
1' 1 Dbl
?
With single-raise values and four
spades, bid 3.
With single-raise values and three
spades, bid 2.
Use 2' to show a limit raise or better
in spades.
Be careful about changing the suit
when your partner has overcalled.
Remember, even if partner has bid a
minor, it doesn't " invite " you to bid.
1' 1 Pass
Say you hold:
5 kQ J 9 7 4 2 lK 5 4 '8 6 4.
Don't even think about bidding
hearts. What do you plan to do if partner
now bids 2? Rescuing partner
rarely works! If there are troubles, if
there's a misfit, the lower the level at
which it's played the better.
You should discuss with your partner
the meaning of a change of suit.
Then, in the Overcall section of the
convention card, indicate whether a
change of suit is:
* Forcing: Partner must bid again; you
have a good hand (12+)
* Not Forcing: Partner is allowed
to pass, and you aren't promising
much.
* Not Forcing but Constructive:
You probably have a doubleton in
partner's suit but are suggesting an
alternative. Or, if you can't tolerate
partner's suit, you know where
you're going if partner rebids it.
September 2021 | Bridge Bulletin |
47
?
BY LYNN BERG
lynn7ntxx@icloud.com
West hands for the
September
Bidding Box
Bid these hands with a partner. The East
hands are on page 59. The North-South
players are silent unless otherwise noted.
Scores on page 36-39.
Problem 1. North deals. None vul.
K 9 6 4 k9 4 l5 2 'K J 10 6 4
Problem 2. East deals. N-S vul.
A 5 k10 9 8 5 4 l9 4 2 'A K 10
Problem 3. South deals. E-W vul.
South opens 2.
6 kK Q 2 lA K Q 10 4 'K 6 3 2
Problem 4. West deals. Both vul.
- kA K 9 6 4 l5 2 'K Q 9 6 5 2
Problem 5. North deals. N-S vul.
A J 5 4 3 k6 5 l2 'Q 8 7 4 2
Problem 6. East deals. E-W vul.
A J 10 7 5 3 k10 6 lQ J 10 9 3 '-
Problem 7. South deals. Both vul.
Q 4 3 kK Q 8 7 6 l10 2 'K J 4
Problem 8. West deals. None vul.
10 5 4 kK Q 3 l9 7 'A Q J 6 3
September 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2021
