Subject: Hand Evaluation - Overcalls ( Opening Bid )
From: [email-masked]
To: Bob Crosby <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:51:25 -0700

PITBULLS:

        One of the dumbest platitudes I have heard is "respond to an overcall as you would an opening bid " . This statement is utter nonsense as an overcall is not an opening bid.  The overcall can have opening bid values but quite often it is a lead director or a hand sometimes considerably under the values for an opening bid. Given this difference how can responder treat the two bids alike ? Of course , it makes no sense . In order for that platitude to make sense , you must have opening bid values for each & every overcall you make. This is losing Bridge strategy.

        You need 6 HCP's to respond to an opening bid because an opening bid  can have 18-20 HCPs. An overcall simply can not have those values so a response to an overcall gets beefed up accordingly.  To respond to an overcall at the two level without a fit or a good suit , you need more values with hands you would otherwise respond to an opening bid. There is no forcing 1NT to an overcall. A 1NT bid to an overcall is a very constructive bid. You would pass quite a few bids at the one level also where you would respond to an opening bid. 

    The auction goes 1♥-1♠-P-?          ♠xx ♥Qxxx ♦Kxxx ♣Qxx    this is a pass rather than a 1NT bid . 

                                   1♠-2♣-P             ♠xx ♥Kxxxx ♦KJxx ♣xx           this is a pass to a 2♣ overcall   

        When partner is overcalling with a "rock" at the two level , you are going to miss games or even slams because partner does not respond to overcalls as they would to opening bids. Knowing this makes you think twice in your choice between making an  overcall or T/O double initially.  

        Rules are made to be broken though with decent suits by responder. A 2/1 to an overcall at the one level just shows a suit & is non forcing. Responding to a 2 overcall can just show a good suit in some instances .    
                                 
                                 1♠-2♣-P-?               ♠xx ♥AQ10xxx ♦xxx ♣xx          bid 2♥ & pass 3♣   

        Responder must judge misfit auctions correctly where overcalls  are concerned . A pass can be made with pretty substantial HCP's when a misfit is involved.

                                  1♥-2♦-P-?               ♠xxxx ♥KQJx ♦x ♣QJxx   is a pass . You would never pass this hand to an opening bid. A response to an overcall shows values . It is not a pre-rescue because I am void in your suit partner. You do not improve partials & an overcall should stop dead in its tracks with a misfit.

        Two suiters by responder can take a chance after an overcall as they have two places to play the hand. 

                                  1♠-2♣-P-?              ♠xx ♥Axxxx ♦KJxxx ♣x           Bid 2♥ & try 3♦ over 3♣ . Would not argue with a pass of 3♣.

    The modern notion of "shape before strength" for overcalls means you should stretch to make a response ? No , not really. Play a 2/1 to a one level overcall as non forcing & only stretch to keep the bidding open holding a fit for partner. When she has a strong single suited overcall , this courtesy raise will prevent you from missing a game. Partner will not overcall with a strong two suited hand , so you do not have to stretch as responder. Overcall vrs T/O double discipline is necessary for responder to retain some semblance of sanity.

        It is difficult for responder to make a call after a 2 level overcall especially with the rank of suits involved. Good players anticipate responders' problems with their initial choice of bids. 

                                    1♠-2♥-P-?               with the ranks of suits involved , responder must go the 3 level to initiate a minor bid. Partner should be very careful to overcall 2♥ with a single suited hand rather than excellent support for a minor & a good hand. Given partner's potential difficulty in responding to a 2 level overcall , think before you leap into the auction. A bid by partner to a 2 level overcall is a one round force. This understanding is needed so that a Q bid always shows "limit raise or better " fit for partner's suit.  A 2 level overcall can "pre-empt" partner from responding with a very decent hand. The reason why responders bid is a one round force is the respect given for a two level overcall in the modern game. An overcall at the two level shows opening bid values and/or a very nice suit with some defense.