February 2024 - 68

Special Contributor
Vic's Views
We open 1NT and they interfere - part 3
Layer 3
In the first two articles of this series
(Layers 1 and 2), we've discussed
situations where an opponent's
intervention was natural and at the
two level. In this article, we'll learn to
deal with the following five additional
cases: the opponents double
(conventional); the opponents double
(penalty); the opponents use a call
to show both majors; the opponents
bid to show other two-suiters; they
overcall at the three level.
Case 1: Conventional Double
(non-penalty)
Few tournament players double
1NT for penalty; most use it to
announce an unspecified one- or
two-suiter. My suggestion is to use
redouble as penalty-oriented, showing
general values. Otherwise, ignore
the double and play the structure you
play without interference. Here are
the specifics:
Pass: Nothing to say. A later double
is for takeout.
Redouble: Penalty, typically 7+
HCP. After this, a double by either
partner is penalty.
2c: Stayman
2d/2h: Transfers
Other: Whatever you play without
interference
Note that with a good, balanced
hand including one or two four-card
majors, you'll have a choice of 2c
Stayman or redouble. You'll have
to use your judgment based on the
nature of your hand and the meaning
of the opponent's double. A simple
approach would be to use Stayman
with a four-card major and redouble
without one.
68 | Bridge Bulletin | February 2024
Case 2: Double (penalty)
If you're running from 1NT doubled,
it's important that you have
available as many escape routes as
possible. There are a multitude of
structures in use here. Here is a simple
one that is popular:
Redouble: A relay to 2c to escape in
clubs or diamonds, showing a fivecard
suit (or longer)
2c: Majors (Stayman, but usually
weak)
2d: Transfer to hearts
2h: Transfer to spades
Pass: Forces opener to redouble,
either to play or scramble (no fivecard
suit)
Whatever structure you choose, it
also applies if partner overcalls 1NT
and it gets doubled.
Case 3: Bid showing both majors
Many players use a 2d overcall to
show both majors. Although it gets a
bit complex, here's a structure that
lets you take full advantage of their
impertinence:
Pass: Nothing to say. A later double
is for takeout.
Double: The ability to penalize at
least one of the majors
2h: Game-forcing with clubs, the
" corresponding minor "
2s: Game-forcing with diamonds,
the " corresponding minor "
2NT: Lebensohl relay to 3c, usually
to compete to 3c or 3d (more later)
3c/3d: Natural game invitation.
3h/3s: Game forcing with both
minors, short in the suit bid
3NT: To play (more on this later)
You may choose to not play the entire
structure, as it imposes a memory
load, but all of it is logical. Some
opponents use 2c to show the majors.
BY VIC QUIROS
vic@thebridgeclassroom.com
thebridgeclassroom.com
Against this, you can use the same
structure, with a direct 2d to play.
Case 4: Bid showing other
two-suiters
A popular use of a 2h or 2s overcall
shows that suit and an undisclosed
minor. I suggest that you use the
same lebensohl structure you use
after a natural one-suited overcall.
(Part 2 of this series). Adopt the " fast
denies/slow shows " principle, focusing
on the known suit. For example, if
they overcall 2h showing hearts and
a minor:
Double: takeout double of hearts
2s: To play
2NT: Lebensohl relay to 3c. If
followed by 3h or 3NT, " slow shows "
a heart stopper
3c/3d: Natural game force
3h: Game-forcing Stayman without
a heart stopper (fast denies)
3s: Natural game force
3NT: Values to bid 3NT, but without
a heart stopper (fast denies)
If the overcall specifies both suits,
you can use a structure similar to
Case 3 above (more later).
Case 5: Overcall at the three
level
When they overcall at the three
level, here are my suggestions:
Double: Negative. Values to compete,
length in the unbid suits. Four
cards in the unbid major if there is
only one. Partner may pass.
3 of a new suit: Natural game force
3NT: To play
Other: If you play Texas transfers,
they should be " on " if the opponents
overcall at 3c or below. (Some pairs
play Texas through 3d. Make an
agreement.)
continued on page 72
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February 2024

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