Overcalling

Rev: 10-24-98

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Opening and overcalling are different. A hand with opening point count value is always opened. That same hand may not even come close to qualifying for an overcall.

“More points are lost at the bridge table through bad or pointless overcalls than other way.” ¾ Helen Sobel Smith

1. The Purpose of Overcalling

Inform partner about a good, long suit.
Serve to get your side into the auction
Suggest a specific lead to partner
Take away bidding space from the opposition
Neither promises nor denies an opening bid
HCP total is not the key factor.

2. Key Factors in Overcalling

2.1 Level

At the one-level, almost anything goes, especially if non-vulnerable. It is safe at this level; someone is likely to rescue you if you are in the wrong contract. The criteria for two-level overcalls are significantly different; still, points are not crucial. You need a better suit since you must be concerned about getting stuck in your bid, possibly even doubled.

2.2 Suit Quality

Overcalling at the One Level

With a 5-card suit.....have at least two honors or a strong hand.

With a 6-card suit.....suit can be very weak.

Overcalling at the Two Level

With a 5-card suit.....avoid mediocre five-card suits. The suit should be headed by at least three honors.

With a 6-card suit.....suit may be weak when nonvulnerable. Unless your hand is very strong, have at least two honors when vulnerable.

2.3 Vulnerability

Vulnerability is of minor importance at the one level, but better players are careful with their vulnerable overcalls at higher levels.

2.4 Your Holding of the Opponent’s Suit

	Try to be aggressive when you have shortness in the opponent’s suit, but conservative with length. This is true regardless of whether RHO opens the at the one level or preempts.
	An essential key of competitive bidding: The hand with shortness in the opponent’s suit must strive to take action.

2.5 Too Strong To Overcall

Some hands are too strong to overcall, but not as many as most players think. Use the “big double” (18+ playing points) only when you think you may miss game if your overcall is passed out, otherwise overcall.

2.6 Overcalling When Both Opponents Have Bid

Exercise great care when overcalling in the “sandwich” seat.

2.7 Overcalling With A Four-Card Suit

There are times when it is acceptable to overcall with a four-card suit. Caution -- partner is expecting a five-card suit and will support you with three small.

A four-card overcall:

	Should contain three honors
	If vulnerable, the hand should resemble an opening bid
	Made only when you have no reasonable alternative.

3. Advancer Response to Partner’s Overcall

3.1 No Fit (Less Then 3 Trump) ¾ Advancer Will:

	Bid a new suit at the one-level ¾ This is non-forcing and a shows a good suit without a fit in overcaller’s suit. A good suit is one that some good honor cards and some length, or one that has great length, like seven cards. Overcaller can either pass, support advancer or rebid his suit.
	Bid a new suit at the two- or three-level ¾ This is non-forcing and shows even a better suit that at the one-level. Overcaller can either pass, support advancer or rebid his suit.
	Bid Notrump ¾ This is non-forcing and shows a solid, balanced hand with a full stopper of opener’s suit and at least partial stoppers in the unbid suits. Overcaller can either pass, bid notrump or rebid his suit.
	Jump Bid a New Suit or Notrump ¾ Strongly invitational but not forcing. The suit shows a good six cards (three of the top 4 honors) and at least 10 HCP. Overcaller can either pass, bid notrump or rebid his suit.
	Cuebid Opener’s Suit ¾ Normally this is a fit-showing bid (see below). Advancer may employ this bid on the way to showing a big hand. After advancer’s cuebid, the overcaller will assume a fit-bid and rebid accordingly, or the opponent’s may bid again. If advancer’s next bid is a new suit, he is announcing a very good suit and hand and is absolutely forcing for one round.

3.2 With A Fit (Three Or More Trump) ¾ Advancer Will:

	Single-Raise Overcaller’s Suit ¾ Usually shows three trumps and 7 - 10 distributional points. Overcaller rebids accordingly.
	Raise To The Three Level ¾ A weak jump raise showing four trumps and that’s about all (follows “The Law”). Overcaller rebids accordingly.
	Raise To The Four Level ¾ Preemptive, but may be better than a raise to four opposite an opening bid (mainly follows “The Law”). Overcaller rebids accordingly.
	Cuebid Opener’s Suit ¾ Shows a limit raise or better. Shows at least three trumps and at least 11 distributional points. Overcaller rebids accordingly. When opponents bid two suits the cheapest cuebid shows a limit raise or better with exactly three trumps.; the non-cheapest cuebid shows a limit raise or better with at least four trumps.