Friday, May 23, 2003 1:48 AM

Hand Evaluation – Overcalls ( 1NT after an overcall )

PITBULLS:

A simple auction that should be understood by established partnerships . What does 1NT mean in response to an overcall ? Some people say the “modern” way is to play it as just a bid to keep the auction alive so does not even promise a stopper in the opponents suit ! It is a forcing NT bid that is not forcing . I think that bid is semi-suicidal as the easiest bid to double is 1NT . When you have a misfit , there is going to be serious blood on the table . You overcall to “get in there “ to help partner with leads so these overcalls can have very minimum values.

A	x	A	x
J	x	J	x
10		x
x		x
x

Everybody vul , the opponents bid 1♦ . You overcall 1♠ , partner bids 1NT . You are minimum , flat so you pass. It goes double on your left and 2♣ by partner which gets doubled . Partner now bids 2♥ which gets doubled again . With clubs & hearts breaking badly you go for -800 & the opponents are cold for +120 . Partners hand is

x	Q	x	A
	x	x	x
	x		x
	x		x
	x		x

Surely you need more values to bid 1NT to an overcall . Yes , partner can have a opening bid value hand to make an overcall . However .Bridge is a game of probabilities . The range of an overcall makes it such that the odds are that the overcall is under the HCP needed for game values . To make a game with a misfit , partners overcall would have to be quite substantial . Bidding 1NT on a misfit with 6 HCP with no stopper in the opponents suit is inviting disaster. Modern bidders are certainly not afraid to go down as they proclaim quite often.

In match points , I guess the risk might be worth it , as 1♠ is going down you are making an “advance rescue” bid . However , how does partner determine the difference between a rescue & a constructive 1NT bid ? Pass is a legal bid in Bridge especially to a mere overcall. If the opener re-opens with a double & 1♠ gets converted , you have a nice 1NT run out saying run to one of the unbid suits partner. After an overcall , bidding 1NT with 6 HCP with a stiff in partners suit , my estimate is the opponents have an average of 24 HCP to your 16 HCP. The ominous pass by RHO smell of spades & it is a misfit auction . Why put your head on the chopping block ? Bidding 1NT with 6 HCP , stiff in partners suit and no stopper in the opponents suit is destructive bidding.

What if partner took you for the flat 10 HCP you are supposed to have , so bids 3NT ? The opponents cash 6 diamonds , a another trick so –300 instead of your club partial for +110 . What if partner plays you for some values and competes in spades so gets doubled for -500 against nothing ? I feel 1NT is a master minding bid in that you are not bidding your own hand but what partner might have . You are ignoring the odds & worrying about the infrequent hands where partner might have a “rock” overcall where there is game with your misfit. Bridge works out better if you bid your own hand & let the partnership make a joint decision !! If this 1NT bid is the “modern way”, I do not want any part of it .

Bidding a suit is just a one round force to an overcall. When you have some more values say 8+ HCP & up, just pick a suit & bid it rather than 1NT. You have that luxury with overcalls that you do not have with opening bids. When partner shows no sign of life , just drop the auction . Don’t forget that the rebid of the overcall just says I have a minimum ( death response ) but says nothing else. Some players go 1 step further . Because their overcall style is so light , they play a new suit by responder to an overcall as not even forcing one round ! This prevents playing a 1NT bid as a general “catch all” bid to an overcall. I am in favour of that style & the following.

The solution that experts have come up with to rid overcalls of stupid 1NT responses is playing a 2/1 to an overcall as non forcing just showing a suit ( mildly invitational ) . These are the forcing NT “trouble hands “ so they are taken care of by removing them from the structure to purify the 1NT response as natural to an overcall. You need the Goren SJS with a good 2/1 when you want to force one round. No splinters to an overcall , it’s a natural SJS ! Use a Q bid when you have a limit raise or better to an overcall. The splinter can be bid as a control later in the auction.

You need the above understanding to overcall with a good 5-4 in the majors. Since 2♥ after a 1♠ overcall is not forcing , you will find your heart fits easily rather than bury them with the spade overcall. Do not forget that an overcall is not an opening bid but can have opening bid values.. Different rules & treatments are required for overcalls. You need to get in the auction fast & out fast with an overcall. Non forcing responses & non forcing 2/1 responses help the overcall structure. A very good 5-4 in the majors is shown with a double rather than an overcall. Double & equal level conversion to spades does not show a single suited spade hand. This sequence shows 5♠ & a good hand.

Comments please …

P.S. Klimo & Vince Nowlan said that the 1NT bid is “obvious” with this hand in a discussion tonight. I find this “style” incomprehensible in IMPS. Modern bidding is not modern , it is just plain bad.