Saturday, April 22, 2006 4:36 AM
 
Hand Evaluation - Negative Free Bids ( Overcalls )

 

PITBULLS:

 

            D.S.I.P. doubles are obviously forcing bids unless the contract gets converted holding the opponents trump. I have never liked “negative free bids” directly as it complicates the 2/1 structure & negative double theory. However , when we overcall at the one , two & three level & they interfere , we should play negative free bids . We can make a D.S.I.P. double with all good hands that you do not want to Q bid. This is one of the advantages of D.S.I.P. theory . You do not need free bids to be forcing one round when you have a D.S.I.P. double available , so you are allowed to compete, setup sacrifices or just get in a lead director . The D.S.I.P. double or Q bid does the rest. You do not need 3 forcing bids in competitive auctions where you have a D.S.I.P. double , a Q bid or a bid in a new suit all forcing . This is overkill. The new suit forcing is not needed.

 

            If RHO does not  interfere , this eliminates your D.S.I.P. double so a new suit is a one round force. Let’s take some example hands where partner overcalls their weak two with RHO interfering The definition of a negative free bid is that your bid is simply not forcing .

 

2♦-2♠-3♦-?

 

♠5
♥K J 10 7 6 5
♦9 8 6
♣K 3 2

♠5 2
♥A K J 8 4
♦7 6
♣K Q 5 2

♠9 7
♥K Q 4
♦8 7 5
♣A J 7 6 3

♠4 2
♥Q J 4
♦8
♣A J 10 9 7 6 4

  This is the classic “negative free bid” . You paid your card fees so bid 3♥ non forcing

 

 

 

 

 

  Since 3♥ is a negative free bid , you must make a D.S.I.P. double . Partners has ♠AKJ10x ♦xx  ♦KQx ♣xxx so you catch them speeding +800.

 

 

 

            Classic D.S.I.P. double , I have cards & do not know what to do. Do something intelligent partner & may the force be with you J.

 

 

 

            Negative free bids apply at the 4 level also . 4♣ is not forcing but not suicidal either.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the one level , your D.S.I.P. double tends to be “snap dragon” or just HCP’s . A free bid is negative and not forcing one round.

 At the 3 or 4 level , same rules apply. When you have a D.S.I.P. competitive double available,  none of your “free bids” are forcing not even one round.

 

3♣-3♦-3♥-3♠       ♠AQ109xx ♥xx ♦xx ♣xxx      Why not bid 3♠ , it’s not forcing. With a stronger hand double first & bid spades.