Overcalls'

Bridge has evolved over the years and has become a bidder's game.  When the opponents open the bidding, a bid by your side is an termed an overcall.  Overcalls come in many flavors.  An Simple Overcall is made at the cheapest level available. An overcall on the 1 level promises a minimum of 8 points and a good 5 card suit.   If you have a weakish suit you need a good hand to justify your overcall. A simple overcall usually limits your hand to 16 Points.  With more strength you would double first and then bid your suit at your first opportunity.   If you overcall on the 2 Level your promise more values.   If you are overcalling with a 5-card suit you need opening values -- if you suit is longer -- you can overcall with fewer points. Jump Overcall -- A Jump Overcall is weak -- promising values similar to a Weak Opening at the level you bid. 1NT Overcall should show 15+ - 18- and promise stoppers in the opponent's suit. Two Suited Overcall  -- Conventional Bids Like Michaels and the Unusual Notrump                         Reasons to Overcall   Compete for the Auction Obstruct the Opponents' Bidding Provide a Lead Suggest a Sacrifice Since partner doesn't promise an opening hand when he overcalls -- advancer must  use judgement.   The most important criterion is how good a fit do you have with your partner.  Another important factor is the nature of the auction.  Did your RHO opponent bid?  And if so what?  Look at the vulnerability and do the math. Did the opponent's find a fit, and if not -- what is your holding in Opener's suit.  There are many factors to consider.  Raising Your Partner Overcall when you have a Fit With 3 of the suit and 6-9 points give an immediate raise With 4 card support and a weak hand you can jump in the suit partner has bid. * With 4 card support and a limit raise -- cuebid the opponents' suit With 5 card support  -- a jump to game is preemptive. If you have a relatively weak hand and no fit it is usually best to pass.  If you have decent hand you can bid a new suit.  Partner will not find this particularly encouraging.  On the one level it is forcing for one round.  On the 2 level it is a matter of partnership agreement -- if partner is a passed hand I suggest you play this as non-forcing. Knowing this, partner should think carefully before he introduces a new suit on the two level.  When your partner bids and your RHO passes and you hold a balanced hand with 2 of your partner's suit -- you might consider bidding notrump in hopes of improving the contract.  If your RHO does enter into the auction proceed with caution.  Guidelines for Bidding Notrump in Response to An Overcall by your Partner 1NT 8-11 points 2NT 12-14 points 3NT 15 or more points               *Note:  Another option is to play the jump bid as preemptive in a competitive auction #2 and to revert to natural with no competition as in Example #1.   I strongly prefer that JUMPS are weak since the cuebid is a very descriptive call asking partner "How good is your overcall?"

Hand 1

Partner KQJ86  Tx  xxxx  A3 LHO        A97  xxx  32  Qxxxx

North East South West - - - 1H 1S Pass  2S Pass Pass Pass - -

West opens the bidding 1H and partner overcalls 1S.   With 6 points and 3 card support for his major suit -- a simple raise is appropriate.

Hand 2

Partner  KJ984  7  KJ3  AK87 LHO   You  AQTx  95  AT42  JT5

North East South West - Pass Pass 1H  1S Pass 2H* Pass 4S Pass Pass Pass

Your LHO opens 1H.  Your partnership has agreed to play Cuebid Limit Raises and Preemptive Jumps.  North has a full opener and when South cuebids hearts he is showing a limit raise or better and asking North "how good is your overcall". With Solid values and a nice hand North bids Game.