Maximal Overcall Double

Rev: June 5, 2000

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For major suits only and in conjunction with "Game Try - Help Suit" conventional bid.

 

When you and partner have bid and raised a suit and opponents have overcalled. Opener’s double of opponent’s overcall is a Maximal Double, not a penalty double. Used when opponent’s overcall(s) makes it impossible to use the “Game Try - Help Suit“ bid. The Maximal Double differentiates between a competitive bid and a game-inviting bid. Remember, The Maximal Double is used only when the level is too high to use a Game Try bid.

 

From the bidding and partner’s response, opener sees game if partner has maximum values for his bid.

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If opener rebids suit a third time it is competitive, not invitational.

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If opener doubles the opponent’s overcall, it is an invite to game. Of course, partner my convert to penalty by passing.

 

Example 1:

[ 1S  2H  2S  3H ] : [ ??         

 

Level is too high for a “Game Try – Help Suit” bid.

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Double means to sign-off at 3S or bid 4S. (With maximum values, partner may convert to penalty if vulnerability is favorable and holds a lot of opponent’s suit – rare.)

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A bid of 3S is competitive, responder should pass.

 

Example 2:

[ 1H  Pass  2H  2S ] : [ ??   

 

In this case, your side’s level is low. Don’t use the Maximal Overcall Double.

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3H is competitive.

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A new suit is is an invite if responder has a singleton or a couple of high honors in that suit. (See “Game Try – Help Suit Bid”).