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Overcalls

Direct and 4th hand LIVE suit overcalls

Why overcall?
We steal bidding space from our opponents.
Partner can find a good lead he would not be able to find otherwise.
We can get into a good partscore or even game/slam.
Partner can preempt or find a good sacrifice.
See article by Grant Robinson (Part I.)

ODR-based overcalls are better than Vul-based, although we tend to be more sound when Vul.
Be more sound with spades, there is no need to hurry.

Overcalling at MP is not normal bridge.
If chances are good, we can risk a marginal TOP-score. Sometimes -800 is the result, it is no problem. If you are not ready to risk your “life” every time you need to overcall, better play only Swiss teams. If you are not ready to overcall with bad hands at MP, you are bound to have many average results, but you are not going to win any titles.

1st lvl direct OC

At MP might be with good hand but bad suit (bad bridge).
At MP or NV IMP might me bad hand with good suit (bad bridge).
Almost no upper limit - equal level conversion after our T/o double (“strong on own suit” 21+)

T7654 Ax AKxx Kx
OK even at IMPs
75432 KJ KQ7 KJ5
OK at MP
KQT8x xxx xx xxx
OK even at IMPs NV
ATxxx QJx QT Jxx
Not even at MP, horrible ODR, can stand other leads

May have 4card Major only, but then have:

  1. 14+HCP
  2. 5+ minor (partner has to be ready for this, but still this is very uncommon)

4th hand LIVE: same requirements.

2nd lvl direct OC

  • Sound - look at the number of cards in RHO suit
  • 4+ cards are excellent, 3 cards are horrible, 0-1 cards are good, 2 cards are uninspiring
  • ODR-based
  • Good localization of honors
  • No upper limits again, except for hands with 21+, they can go thru X.

The minimum for a vulnerable two-level overcall should be:

  • a 6-card suit w/11+ or
  • a 5-card with at least KQJ9x, AKJ9x or if the lowest card is eight w/14+
    NV overcalls can be done with worse suit.

4th hand LIVE OC

Be more sound. You need tricks, not HCP.
Against 2/1 (9+) be even more sound.Wide-range.

Ambiguous overcalls

(1M)-3M
ask for stopper
(1m)-3m
nat PRE if 1m promises minimum 3 cards or fewer, else ask for stopper

(1m)-p-(1M)

2m
Michaels, unless 1m promise 3 cards os less, then nat
2M
nat

Responding to partners direct 1st lvl overcall

RHO doubles

(1x)-1y-(X)

XX
lead
1M
5+M F1
1NT to 2y-2
TRF 7+
2y-1
9+ w/support
2y
5-8 don’t lead
2NT
INV+ w/4+y (mixed+ w/4+y after (1♣)-1♦-(X), (1♦)-1♥-(X) and (1♥)-1♠-(X))
2M jump
6+M 4-6
3x
mixed (INV+ w/4+y (1♣)-1♦-(X), (1♦)-1♥-(X) and (1♥)-1♠-(X))
3new suit (lower)
FJ
RHO passes (Rubens advances)

(1x)-1y-(p)

1M
5+M F1
1NT
(5)7-11, nat
2y (y<x)
nat nF 7-10
2x to 2y-2*
TRF 7+
2y-1
9+ w/support
2y
5-8 w/support
2NT
nat INV
2M jump
6+M 4-6
3x
mixed (7-8 if no subsequent room for INV)
3new suit
FJ in the lower ranking suit than overcallers and if we could TRF into this suit, else nat INV
3NT
14+, to play

MP, both Vul
(1♥)-1♠-(p)
Consider passing instead of bidding 1NT with minimum and at least moderate defence (not done at IMPs, the potential loss is too big).

RHO bids 1M
1♠
7+ F1, 5+ cards
1NT
7-11(12) semi-F
2cue LHO
INV+ w/tolerance or support or GF w/own suit
2 in p suit
5-8 after partners M (9-10 is Rosenkranz X) and 5-10 after partners diamonds
2 new suit
nat, nF
2cue RHO
ugly PRE w/def values
2NT
INV+ w/4+support (mixed after (1C)-1D-(1M) and (1D)-1H-(1S))
3cue LHO
mixed (INV+ w/4+y after (1C)-1D-(1M) and (1D)-1H-(1S))
3 new suit
nat INV
3 in p suit
good offensive PRE
3 cue RHO
SPL
4 cue LHO
SPL
X
Rosenkranz/Snapdragon
RHO bids 1NT
X
Resp
2 cue LHO
INV+ with support
3 cue LHO
mixed
2M
5-10
2 new suit
nF
2NT
INV+w/ 4+support (mixed after (1C)-1D-(1NT), (1D)-1H-(1NT) and (1H)-1S-(1NT))
3 new suit
nat INV
4m
FJ
RHO uses 1♠ as a 1NT TRF, system is ON (ignore it like they bid normal 1NT), plus:
X
5+ w/5+♠
1NT
7-11, to play

if you have a hand that is not described in the normal system, just pass

RHO bids 2 in a new suit (no jump)
2 unbid
nat nF
2cue LHO
if possible, INV+ w/support
2NT
INV+ w/4+ card support if 2cue LHO possible and w/3+ card support if not
mixed after (1D)-1H-(2m) and (1H)-1S-(2m)
2 in p suit
(RHO suit F) 5-10, Qxx+
(RHO suit nF) 5-8
X
(RHO suit F) 5-10, do not lead
(RHO suit nF) support and 9-10
3 cue LHO
mixed
INV+ w/4+y after (1D)-1H-(2C) and (1H)-1S-(2m)
3 in p suit
PRE
3 unbid
nat INV
RHO raises their suit to the 2nd lvl
X
Resp
2x
nat nF
3cue
mixed (INV+ w/4+y after (1D)-1H-(2m) and (1H)-1S-(2m))
2NT
INV+ w/support (mixed after (1D)-1H-(2D)
3 in p suit
PRE
4 in p suit
Offensive raise
4cue
SPL
3 new suit
nat INV

Responding to partners direct 2nd lvl overcall

RHO passes or bids X
2cue LHO
7-10 w/support (sbsq. 2NT asks)
2NT
F1 INV+
3 in p suit
3-6
2 new suit
nat, nF
3 new suit
nat INV
jump cue
SPL
4m
FJ (only after partners M)
RHO raises their suit to the 2nd lvl
2NT
INV+
X
Resp
3cue
SPL
3 in p suit
Mixed
2 new suit
nF
3 new suit
nat INV
4m
FJ (only after partners M)
RHO raises their suit to the 3rd lvl
new suit 3rd lvl
nat INV

Responding to a 4th hand LIVE suit overcall

Show support
2/3/4 cuebids
2NT
nat INV
Suit 2nd lvl
nat, nF
Suit 3rd lvl
nat INV
Jump cue
if forcing to the 4th level = SPL

Four cuebids when responding to a 4th hand LIVE suit overcall
Only applies when we have two cues on the 2nd level available.
Responder uses partners 10K&R as the minimal strength for his overcall.
3rd lvl = four+ trumps: direct raise is PRE, higher cuebid is mixed, lower cuebid is INV+
2nd lvl = three trumps: direct raise is PRE, higher cuebid is simple raise, lower cuebid is INV+
Attention: also applies when they bid a 4th hand LIVE sandwich 1NT promising two unbids.

Three cuebids

When three cuebids are avaliable for the support of partners 4th hand LIVE overcall below the level of 3 of his suit, it goes as this:

lowest cue
INV+ w/3+card support
middle cue
undefined (unless the highest cue would consume the space for range-ask, then mixed)
highest cue
mixed (unless it consumes the space for range-ask, then undefined)
simple raise
7-11
Two cuebids
lower cue
INV+ w/3+card support
higher cue
mixed
simple raise
7-11
If opener rebids a new (fourth) suit
X
PEN
If opener raises responders suit or rebids his own suit
X
Snapdragon

1st lvl reopen suit overcalls and subsequent bidding

(1a)-p-(p)
Suit 1st lvl
4+ cards, 8-14 (w/8-11 always 5+ cards)
simple raise
9-11
jump raise
14-15
1NT
9-11
2NT jump
14-15
new suit (rare)
constructive, up to 11, weakish suit, not forcing
Cue
12-13
2x
5+ 8-11
2NT
4suit 12+ w/halfstopper *switched 2NT and 3cue due to right-siding issues
3x
5+ 12+
3NT
4suit 12+ w/stopper
3cue
4suit 12+ w/o stopper
new suit thru 2NT
nat min, higher nat GF
X
if opener rebids his suit, then PEN
if opener bids a new suit, then Snapdragon
XX
if opener doubles, XX is 14+ PEN, all subsequent doubles PEN
Suit 2nd lvl
8-14, QJ9xx or better suit is advisable
raise
10-11
cue
12-13, F
2NT
14-15, F
new suit (rare)
7-11, weakish suit, nF
Jump suit
around 15-16, 6+ suit

Overcalling their PRE with a suit

Your call Direct Direct jump Reopen Reopen jump
2M 14+ - 10+ -
3m 16+ - 12+ -
3M 16+ 18+ 6+suit 12+ 4-5LTC 6+suit
4M 18+ 18+ 6+ suit 16+ to play with adequate cards

Be sound on reopen on the third level.

Mostly when you have 3+ cards in LHO suit - partner is likely to have max 2 and he has not bid.
Off-shape, poor suit, bad ODR, no 3NT prospect, no 3+ unbid M = pass!

Both vul, IMP (3♦)-p-(p)-?
xx xxx xx AKQ9xx = pass - maybe in MP or if it was a major.

 

NT overcalls

1NT direct overcall

1NT direct overcall shows 15-18 and a stopper.
May be slightly off-shape.

(1m)-1NT-(p)
2♣
Stayman
2a
nat nF
2NT
nat INV
3a
nat INV
Keri after (1M)-1NT-(p)
2♣
puppet to 2♦, then p/c with any one-suiter
2♦
F1, ask for oM4
2oM
nat INV 5+oM
2M
ask for double stopper
2NT
nat INV
3m
nat INV
(1x)-1NT-(X)

Helvic Wriggle ON

(1x)-1NT-(2x)
2y
nat nF
2NT
Lebensohl
3y
nat INV
(1x)-p-(1y)-1NT

(16-19 with good both stoppers)

2x
nat
2y
nat

2NT direct overcall

16-19

3♣
Stayman
3♦/♥
nat INV
3♦/♠
TRF
3♥/♥
TRF
3♥/♠
TRF ♦
3♠
TRF ♣
3NT
to play
4♣
CONFI
4R
Texas
4♠
11 minors
4NT
SUPERCONFI

3NT direct overcall

16-21
over minor: STAY ON, TRF ON
over major:

4♣
RNG ask
4♦/♥
nat, GF
4♦/♠
TRF
4♥/♥
TRF
4♥/♠
TRF ♦
4♠
TRF ♣

Only super accept TRF with good support and 20+

RNG ask:

4♦
16-19
4M
nat 20+
4NT
20+ no M4

1NT reopen overcall

12-15, NV no stopper needed
nat responses, cue ART, possibly ask for M4, cue twice nat

2NT reopen jump overcall

19-20, STAY and TRF on

2NT reopen against PRE or constructive 2m opening overcall

14-18, STAY and TRF on

3NT reopen against PRE or constructive 2m opening overcall

to play (if jump, then possibly long running suit)

4th hand LIVE 1NT overcall

nat, 16-19 w/both stoppers, but try to find a plan B
nat responses unless they artificially bid 1♣-1♦, then STAY and TRF on 

PRE-balancing

(1M)-p-(2M)
X
4-5 oM and 4+m
2NT
light - 5oM+5m
3M
sound - 5oM+5m
3NT
to play
4NT
light minors
Suit
nat - remember you only do this so partner would not balance w/e.g. 5 cards in higher ranking suit and find your singleton/void when you have a good 6 bagger in lower ranking suit
(1m)-p-(2m)
X
T/o w/44++ Majors
3NT
to play
Suit
nat - remember you only do this so partner would not balance w/e.g. 5 cards in higher ranking suit and find your singleton/void when you have a good 6 bagger in lower ranking suit
(1x)-p-(2♣) 2+♣
X
PEN, sound, some defence is preferable so they do not find a marginal slam
2x
T/o
2NT
55 unbids - wide-range
3♣
nat PRE, less defense than X
(1x)-p-(2y) 2/1 9+
2NT
offensive unbids
4NT
extra offensive unbid

If they XX partners Pre-balancing X, pass is PEN

Balancing

Up to 2♠

X of 2NT or higher
DSI4
(1♠)-p-(2♠)-p-(p)
X
T/o or ♣+♥ T/o (w/♦ preference, advancer bids 2NT (sbsq. 3♦ regular, 3♣ ♣+♥)
2NT
T/o ♦+♣ or ♦+♥ (dynamic)
(1♥)-p-(2♥)-p-(p)
X
T/o w/3♠
2♠
4+♠
2NT
minor T/o

When you pass and then freely bid the suit of your RHO when partner has passed too = nat

Examples:

1♣-(1♠)-p-(2♦)-p-(p)

2♠
nat, excellent 5+♠, trapping pass in 1st round
OPPs 1st lvl overcall
not their suit
OPPs 1st lvl 4+mening
not their suit

(1♣)-1♦-(p)-p-(1NT)-p-(p)

2♣
nat, nF - no way to bid this in the 1st round

Reopening after their preempts

2NT/2♦
14-18 STAY on, TRF on
2NT/2♥
in-between nat responses
2NT/2♠
15-19 nat responses
jump 3x
good suit and 4-5 losers
3NT no jump
16-21, stoppers or source of minor tricks
3NT jump
probably source of minor tricks, with real 3NT rather bid X and then NT/cue

Reopen safety (Lawrence)

N S N S N   ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠
1♦ 2♦ P       F - A A
1♣ 2♣ P       - B+ A A
1♥ 2♥ P       D D - A-
1♠ 2♠ P P     D+ D+ D+ -
1♣ 1♦ 1♥ 2♥ P   - - - A
1♦ 1NT 2♣ P     - F- A A
1♦ 1NT 2♣ 2♦ P   - - A A
1♣ 1♥ 1NT P     - B+ - A-
1♣ 1♥ 1NT P     - B- - B+
1♦ 1♥ 1♠ 2♦ P   C - - -
1♦ 1♥ 1NT 2♦ P   V - - A-
1♣ 1♥ 2♣ P     - B- A B-
1♥ 1NT 2♥ P     D D - B+
1♣ 1♠ 2♣ P     - B- B A

 

Lebensohl

a) after we double their 2M opening preempt, on reopen too (not when we are both passed hands - SCR)

2NT
“forces” 3♣ - other bid by overcaller than 3♣ are nat INV, may even use cue with 20+

pass or correct with weak lower-ranking suit

3m
nat 9.5-11 after ♥, 8-11 after ♠
4m and 4M
Same principle as if they intervened our 1NT opening
cue thru 2NT
stopper ask
cue
4+oM, GF
3NT
to play, no extras
3NT thru 2NT
to play w/extras
(2♥)-X-(p)
2♠
4+♠ nF
3♠
5+♠ INV
3♠ thru 2NT
4♠ INV
(2♠)-X-(p)
3♥
5♥ INV
3♥ thru 2NT
teak

b) after openers reverse or 1C-1D-2S

c) when forcing pass is set (2/1 GF or xyz) and they intervene up to 2♠, LEB rules apply ON REOPEN

Cue
Moderate support for partners suit
3NT
to play w/no stopper
3NT thru 2NT
to play w/stopper
Cue thru 2NT
exactly halfstopper

Extras: jump in higher-ranking suit, new suit 3rd lvl in lower-ranking suit (clubs does not promise)

No extras: do not jump in higher-ranking suit, bid via 2NT in lower-ranking suit (not w/clubs)

d) (1M)-p-(2M)-X-(p)

e) Responder reopens Lebensohl style after partners opening, responders initial action (not limited up to 10 though), second defender overcalls on the second level, and two passes (2NT = puppet, suit = INV)

2NT Scrambling

When 2NT has no explicit meaning, and it is clear a game cannot be reached, use 2NT as scrambling.

Scrambling 2NT show 2-3 possible suits to play in and you are not sure which one.

Mostly used on reopen, but also in live sequences where Lebensohl is off and 2NT couldnt be INV+ with support etc.

after X:

2NT
no 5+ suit
3a
5+ suit

Strain before level.

1m-(2M)-p-(p)-X-(p)

After a reopening double of 2♥ or 2♠, responder’s 2NT is a scramble, initially aiming to find the best minor-suit fit, typically with 5om/3m or perhaps 4♣/2-3♦ (after a 1♦ opening). However, scrambling with 2NT and converting three-of-a-minor to 3♥ (after a 2♠) overcall is invitational in ♥. Converting to 3♠ (after a 2♥ overcall of our 1m) suggests only four spades, while a jump to 3♠ directly over the reopening double suggests at least five (this also applies for LEB over 2M preemptive openings).

 

Weak jump overcalls

1st pos
5-10 (sbsq. 2NT ask for strength)
2nd pos
7-10,(sbsq. 2NT ask for feature)
3rd and 4th pos
0-13(16), wide-range (sbsq. 2NT w/a good support and maximum of pass)

Intermediate jump Overcalls

(1♠)-3♥ when vulnerable - 6+♥ 11-14

WJO notes

If they X, partner can PEN XX, but!:

Then there should be one suit that he would NOT double for PEN, this means the preemptor needs to do that. If you have them doubled everywhere they would run from our XX contract, just pass and wait…

Both vul, RHO opens 1♦ and you hold Txxx xx x KQJT8x - don’t PRE
On the other table(s) the players could pass thinking the preempt is unacceptable.
Your preempt would push them into hardly biddable slam based on partial club exclusion.
Especially at IMPs, this could be an unnecessary swing.
W/o M4, the preempt would seem OK. But do not off-shape preempt when they could make sub minimal slam.

We do not play “negative” slam doubles. If the preemptor doubles = good PEN.

Responding to WJOs

(1x)-2M-(3x/3y F1+)
p-(1x)-2M-(3y nF)
X
sacrifice maybe to 4M
3M
push bid
After our 3m or higher WJO and RHO bids:
3NT
sacrifice maybe to 5m
4m
push bid
4NT/5NT
(mostly after higher) maybe a sacrifice to 6/7
4m/5m/6m
push bid

Passed hand: 4M and 5♦ is FJ/FNJ, never to play after partner has preempted

One test for a potential WJO is to imagine an ordinary (not perfect) 7 points in partner’s hand.
If that would give you a play for your contract, your hand is probably worth a bid.

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