Wednesday, July 13, 2005 1:02 AM
Major Suit Overcalls - Dormer
PITBULLS:
Q bids after major suit
overcalls are defined as “limit raise or better” . This is “old
fashioned” as it withholds valuable
information. Does this “limit raise or better” have a 4 card fit or a 3 card fit ? Hand evaluation is easier when we know this
information. A limit raise with 4 trump is a better hand than a limit raise
with 3 trump. When was the last
time you jumped to 2NT natural
when partner overcalled a major ? We can bid a “new
minor” as forcing one round
if we had just NT on our mind ( bid NT at 1st opportunity after
that) or just leap to 3NT . In my opinion , the 2NT bid can be put to better use as a Q bid . This “Q bid” would show limit raise
or better with 4 trump ( modified
Dormer ) . Dormer to an overcall makes sense as major suit overcalls are so
variable in strength.
As
with Dormer auctions , you can use your Jacoby responses. We play 3♣ as a
“catch all” minimum response and all your other toys ( serious 3NT etc ) that
come with the territory. Our overcalls can be very
strong and opponents “openers” are so light , slam is not out of the question in a growing number of auctions. Knowing about the 4th
trump , stiffs and voids with overcalls
are just as important as with opening bids.
This treatment will only apply to
jumps to 2NT as the 2NT bid
competitively is either “good bad“ or has some other use defined for
it. A jump to 2NT after a negative double would show a limit raise
or better with 4 trump (Dormer) also.
What
a about a 2♥ overcall after a spade opener ? Would 2NT be a Q bid
or natural ? I think the bid should remain
natural as the auction is up to the 3 level very quickly as you do not
have the luxury of bidding a new suit forcing one round with a plan of bidding NT to invite. You are already
in 3NT with these auctions !! Keep the Q bid for the major suit raise , 4 cards
or not.
When
partner opens a major ( not our
side overcalling ) and they overcall at the one or two level , I
prefer 2NT to be natural. This right sides the NT and the Q bid will suffice to
show the major fit.
The
strength of your overcalls vrs
making a takeout double and whether a new suit is forcing one round or not will
determine how you handle your raises. Opening bids are getting lighter and
lighter and overcalls are getting stronger & stronger. Good treatment for
openers should also
apply to overcalls.
A jump to 2NT after a major overcall is quite
lame anyway. How many HCP’s does it show ? You force very minimum
overcalls up to the 3 level. Confusion whether bids are forcing or not in these
3 level sequences may lead to disasters.
The best solution is to throw out 2NT as
natural in competition and an overcall is just another example of a
competitive bid where we really do not need a natural 2NT. Leap to 3NT and hope they misdefend J
This treatment makes the jumps to 2NT consistent throughout your entire bidding system. After a major opener or overcall
whether after a takeout double or negative
double , a leap to 2NT
shows limit raise or better with 4 trump (
Dormer ). Kiz Fung suggests another innovation. If partner overcalls
and the opponents have bid 2 suits , pick the higher
ranking suit to show 4 and the lower ranking to show 3 card support.
These auction you do not need Dormer.