Truscott (Modified)

Rev: March 3, 1999

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This convention is used when the enemy opens with a strong 1C. The method applies when you are in the direct seat to the opener, as well as when you are in the seat behind the responder who bids 1D (artificial).

	Weak (less than an opener and as low as 5 HCP) 1- and 2-suited hands are indicated at your first turn to bid; the purpose is to disrupt the enemy’s communication. 2-suiters should be 5/5.
	With hands of opening values or greater you don’t bid your first opportunity but do so on your second turn if partner hasn’t made an overcall.

1-Suited Hand Overcalls - Weak Hands Only (5 - 11 HCP)

Normally a 6-card suit, otherwise an excellent 5-card suit

The bidding goes: [ 1C ?? ..... Your bids are:

Note: Opponent's 1C is artificial and strong

	Dbl: clubs
	1D: diamonds
	1H: hearts
	1S: spades
	3C, 3D, 3H or 3S: preemptive

The bidding goes: [ 1C Pass 1D ?? ..... Your bids are:

Note: Opponent's 1C is artificial and strong; opponent's 1D is artificial

	3C: clubs (not necessarily preemptive
	Dbl: diamonds
	1H: hearts
	1S: spades
	3D, 3H or 3S: preemptive

2-Suited Hand (5/5) Overcalls - Weak Hands Only (5 - 11 HCP)

The bidding goes: [ 1C ?? ..... or [ 1C Pass 1D ?? or ..... Your bids are:

Note: Opponent's 1C is artificial and strong; opponent's 1D is artificial

	2C: clubs and diamonds (that suit and the next higher)
	2D: diamonds and hearts (that suit and the next higher)
	2H: hearts and spades (that suit and the next higher)
	2S: spades and clubs (that suit and the next higher)
	1NT: diamonds and spades (the "pointed suits")
	2NT: clubs and hearts (the "rounded" suits)

Response to Partner's Weak 1- or 2-Suited Overcall

Responder Has a Hand With Less Than Opening Values

The object is obstruct the opponents. With a hand less than opening values you pass, raise partner or bid your own long suit.

You have: 62 983 J3 KJT863

The bidding goes: [ 1C 1S Pass ?? ..... Partner has a 1-suited hand with spades. Bid 2C. All suit bids are natural and non-forcing. Purely obstructional.

You have: 73 QT4 J874 8762

The bidding goes: [ 1C 1H Pass ?? ..... Partner has a 1-suited hand with hearts. Bid 3H. This is not strength-showing. You are raising partner’s suit ("Law of Total Tricks") to obstruct enemy.

You have: 8742 J973 76 A95

The bidding goes: [ 1C 2D Pass ?? ..... Partner has 5 diamonds and 5 hearts. Bid 3H. This is not strength-showing. You are raising on of partner’s suits to obstruct enemy.

You have: K8 9853 KJ74 84

The bidding goes: [ Pass Pass 1C Pass ] : [ (1D Dbl 1H ?? ..... Partner has a 1-suited hand with diamonds. Bid 3D. You obstruct by a jump raise ("Law of Total Tricks").

Responder Has a Hand With Opening Values

When partner has overcalled and you have a hand with opening values you may make an “Invitational” 1NT or 2NT bid (whichever is cheaper).

You have: AK96 AJ93 JT3 84

The bidding goes: [ 1C 1S Pass ?? ..... Partner has 5 spades and 5 clubs. Bid 1NT. Your 1NT response is forcing and shows a legitimate game interest.

You have: AK7 JT3 854 A986

The bidding goes: [ Pass Pass 1C Pass ] : [ 1D 2H Pass ?? ..... Partner has 5 hearts and 5 spades. Bid 2NT. You are definitely worth a game try.

Constructive Interference

With hands of opening values or greater you don’t bid your first opportunity but do so on your second turn if partner hasn’t made an overcall. Its meaning is established by ignoring all previous artificial bids.

You have: A44 K2 AQT973 74

The bidding goes: [ Pass Pass 1C Pass ] : [ 1D Pass 1S ?? ..... Bid 2D. You show a sound overcall in diamonds, just as if the bidding has been opened 1S.

You have: AJ97 KJT5 KT92 3

The bidding goes: [ 1C Pass 1D Pass ] : [ 2C Pass Pass ?? ..... Double. You show a full-valued takeout double of clubs. With a weak hand, you must bid early, or never.

You have: AKJ97 KQT8 3 T82

The bidding goes: [ Pass Pass 1C Pass ] : [ 1D Pass 1NT ?? ..... Bid 2D. You can bid Cappalletti (or DONT) in this position, just as if enemy opened 1NT.

You have: A42 K2 AQT973 74

The bidding goes: [ Pass Pass 1C Pass ] : [ 1D Pass 1S ?? ..... Pass. You could overcall 1NT as natural and strong, but what is the future? Not only is such a bid dangerous, but it will tip off the enemy where the missing strength is.