Guidance for Overcalls in Bridge
Overcalls in bridge are made to compete for the contract, suggest a lead, or disrupt opponents' bidding. Overcalls are typically based on a 5+ card suit and carry a range of 8-17 points. The decision to overcall should be based on suit quality and the desire to lead a specific suit or obstruct opponent bidding space. Understanding suit quality, points range, and responses to partner's overcall are crucial aspects of effective overcalls in bridge.
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Overcalls Guidance for overcalls. Overcalls are to compete for the contract, or to suggest a lead, or interrupt the opponents bidding sequence. Range is normally 8-17pts. Overcalls are based on a 5 card suit (or longer), but maybe made on a 4 card suit at the 1 level for lead directing. Do NOT overcall on a suit you do not want partner to lead, unless you expect to win the contract. Suit quality is important
Have a reason to overcall If you are NOT going to win the contract then overcall because you wish to partner to lead that suit OR you want to disrupt the opponent s bidding by removing their bidding space K3 Q982 78 AKJ93 Overcall 1 with 2 for a lead 2 to make a fit difficult to find 86 AK9 Q97532 AQ Overcall 1 with 2 because you may win the contract 8 A852 K10542 Q87 Overcall 1 with
The suit quality test This is about the suit, not about whether you should overcall This is a good way to see whether you should overcall an opponent s suit bid by bidding your suit in marginal situations. Add the length of your suit + the number of honours in that suit If it equals the number of tricks for the level then it is safe to overcall so for an overcall at the 1 level the suit quality (SQ) should equal 7 or more and for an overcall at the 2 level a SQ of 8 is desirable. You may want to overcall for a lead at the 1 level with fewer values but with a good suit. Non-vulnerable you may take more chances
Determining the suit quality value Count Ace, King and Queen as honours Count Jack and 10 as honours if the are backing a higher honour. Suit quality values of the following combinations Q = = Q10 = = 10 = KJ7643 = 8 This test is to show if the suit is good enough, NOT whether the hand is good enough! Repeat: do not overcall with a bad suit unless you will win the contract
Suit Quality examples 1. K85QJ6533AK84 SQ = 5+2 =7 So overcall 1 with 1 , but not 1 with 2 (especially vulnerable) 2. 9 AJ543 Q 32 AK94 SQ = 5+2 = 7 Again overcall 1with 1 1but not 1 with 2 ; you could double 3. 9 AJ5432 Q 3 AK94 SQ = 6+2 =8 So overcall 1 with 2 In 4 position I would overall examples 1 and 2
Responding to partners overcall The big problem is the wide pts. range of overcalls, so bid if you ve 8pts or more, Only change suit if you have a good hand enough with a 5 card suit and/or can tolerate your partner re-bidding the same suit at a higher level Bid no trumps with a clear stop in the opponent s suit and 6-9 pts, at the same level, and support for partner s suit Raise partner s suit, either pre-emptively or to win the contract with 3 or more cards The unassuming cue bid A useful convention, whereby an immediatebid of opponent s suit shows high card support for partner s suit and clear values to go to the next level This can be confused with an asking bid seeking a stop in opponent s suit to play in no-trumps. Normally your side would have bid 2 suits before asking for a stop in opponent s suit. FOR VERY EXPERIENCED PLAYERS ONLY
Examples: opener bids 1 partner overcalls 2 Q J 9 73 A J 5 K 3 J 4 2 1Bid 2 because you are strong and have support for s Q 9 3 A 8 7 5 2 9 9 7 5 3 K Q 8 5 Q 7 5 6 3 10 4 2. Bid 3 pre-emptively 3. Pass
What to bid if partners opening bid is overcalled 1.With fewer than 8 pts and no support for partner PASS 2. With support for partner s suit, raise it 3.If you have a bid you would have made without the overcall, then bid 4.With 9 + pts and the other 2 suits, DOUBLE for take- out
Examples: partner bids 1 and next player overcalls 2 Q J 9 73 A J 5 K 3 J 4 2 1Bid 2 because you are strong and have a 5 card suit Q 9 3 A 8 7 5 2 9 9 7 5 3 K Q 8 5 Q 7 5 4 Q 3 10 2. Pass and hope partner can re-open the bidding 3. Double, you have the other 2 suits and 9pts. Partner may have one of them
Doubles for penalties? Treat doubles of an immediate overcall and of opponent s agreed suits for take-out, below game. A second double of the same suit later in the auction should be for penalties. If your side has not bid any suit then it should be regarded as a take-out double
