Wednesday, August 16, 2006 1:09 AM

Hand Evaluation – Ownership ( overcalls )

PITBULLS:

Forcing passes apply when you own the auction. Ownership is a hand evaluation concept where entire books have been written on the subject. Ownership is not the sole domain of the opening bid side. After a T/O double , one side can own the auction. After an overcall or even a pre-empt by your side , you can end up owning the auction. After a negative or conventional double , your side can own the auction. Even after an initial competitive double , your side can eventually own the auction. There are multiple situations where it is obvious that you own the auction after an opening bid, therefore forcing passes are turned on. There are some more subtle auctions that turn on forcing passes which involves the 2 level overcall with game reached by your side. The two level overcall & forcing passes were never a mix in the early days of Bridge. This was because an overcall at the two level was never a good enough hand to warrant considering forcing pass theory.

In the modern game , a two level overcall has respect on every vulnerability except nv vrs vul. After a two level overcall , a new suit by partner causes forcing passes to kick in when your side reaches game. You have reached game on a strong auction so this should be enough to say you own the auction when & if the opponents crawl in. The forcing pass should not be restricted just to the opening bidders side. The overcalls & T/O double side can eventually own the auction.

If partner just raises your suit after a 2 level overcall with you bidding game , forcing passes are not turned on. The game bidder is just captain of the auction. If the overcaller’s partner Q bids first or makes another strong bid , forcing pass theory applies so both partners can get in on the act. A new situation came up tonight involving either D.S.I.P. or snapdragon doubles after a two level overcall. My partner overcalled a 1♥ opening bid with 2♦ , RHO bid 2♠. I made a “snapdragon double” with ♠Ax ♥xxx ♦Jx ♣A109xxx which shows defense , the unbid suit with tolerance for partners suit. LHO jumped to 4♥ , partner bid 5♦ so passed around to the opener who doubled. RHO pulled to 5♥ so is forcing pass theory applicable ? Yes, it is. A two level overcall with some strength showing double at the two level should be enough to say you own this auction. Partner may have a void in hearts , so you make a forcing pass saying you are amenable to a 6♦ bid. Partner on this hand says thanks but no thanks so just doubles. You only beat the contract two but the partner who was in a better position to make the decision was the captain of the ship due to forcing pass theory.

Essentially forcing pass theory applies when it is clear that you own the hand. In some cases , game must be bid by either side before it kicks in. You must have your ear to the bidding so finely tuned to pick up the auctions that forcing pass theory applies . In other words analyze the auction while in progress. Ownership is a broad concept so even the following auctions turn on forcing passes

· An opening bid that shows forcing to game strength

· An overcall that subsequently shows strength by doubling or Q bidding & game is reached

· A T/O double that forces to game with a Q bid or multiple doubles

· A weak two or pre-empt where partner shows strength initially via a 2NT bid or Q bid than drives to game vul vrs not

· A leap to game vul vrs not ( Kantar vrs Kokish ) Captaincy applies otherwise.

· Direct Q bids after a pre-empt by the opposition 3♥-4♥-P-

· Strength showing conventional doubles & your side reaches game 1♠-2♣-X-P 2♥-P-4♥

· Pre-emptive bidding by their side & you reach game