RESPONDING TO PARTNER’S OVERCALL

By Larry Matheny

 

 

There are many textbooks with instructions for opening bids and responding to opening bids.  There is also a lot of information covering interventions (takeout doubles, overcalls, etc), but one area that is unclear to many players is how to respond to partner’s overcall. 

 

Let’s first take a look at the section on the convention card “Simple Overcall”.  The typical high card point range (hcp) entered is 8-16.  This is fine but don’t be rigid about this.  For example if your right hand opponent opens 1C  and you hold: S6  HAKJ1043  DAK6  CK76, you should overcall 1H  instead of making a takeout double.  If not, either the opponents or your partner might bid a lot of spades before you are able to show your good heart suit.  Always think how the auction may continue before you make a takeout double.

 

Next, let’s “name” the people at the table so we can better define their roles.  Of course we have opener and responder but we also have intervener (one who makes the overcall or t/o double) and his partner, the advancer.  Take note that the intervener can be in second seat or fourth seat.

 

Today we are focusing on the proper response to partner’s overcall.  Since partner made an overcall instead of an opening bid, he might have a fairly light hand and our responses must accommodate that possibility.  Our actions include a simple raise, a preemptive jump raise, forward-going NT bids, or a cue bid of opener’s suit to ask partner about his strength.  The cue bid will usually promise support, but before we can agree on that, we must decide if a new suit bid by advancer (overcaller’s partner) is forcing.  Most play that it is not forcing but simply an attempt to improve the contract.  If this is your agreement, the cue bid is merely forcing and may or may not show support.  After advancer cue bids, the auction is forcing until a previously bid suit has been rebid or raised, or game has been reached.

 

What about a jump shift by advancer?  Since most play a new suit as non-forcing, many play that a jump in a new suit is forcing or at least highly invitational.  Holding SQ2 H108  DAQ9  CAQ10987 with this auction:

 

OPP    PARD     OPP    YOU

 1H       1S           P         ??

 

The reasoning is since 2C  is not forcing, then 3C  should show a good hand.  If you first cue bid 2H, the bidding may get too high before you are able to show your club suit.  If partner has a weak overcall and no real fit for clubs, he is allowed to pass your jump to 3C.  Remember, either a simple new suit or a jump by advancer almost always denies support for your overcall suit.

 

 

 

As always, there are other accepted methods, so you need to discuss these with your partner.  Here is a chart I recommend:

 

OPP    PARD    OPP   ADV

 1C      1S         P       1NT = 7-10 hcp, club stopper, not forcing

                                      2C  = forcing, asking about the overcall

                                      2D  = not forcing

                                      2H  = not forcing

                                      2S  = simple raise

                                      2NT= 11-13 hcp, clubs stopped, not forcing

                                      3C  = constructive raise 8-10 hcp w/four card support

                                      3D  = good suit, good hand, highly invitational

                                      3H  = good suit, good hand, highly invitational

                                      3S  = preemptive

                                      3NT= to play; 14+ hcp with clubs stopped

 

Let’s look at some examples.  After the same auction:

 

OPP   PARD   OPP   YOU

 1C      1S      pass      ?

 

S5   HJ1098   DQ32   CQJ854     = Pass  (don’t even THINK about 1NT)

 

SQ3   HK74   D10942  CKJ42      = 1NT  constructive, not weak

 

SKQ4  HA9  DKQ943  C874         = 2C  ask about the overcall, don’t bid 2D

 

S8  HK98  DKQJ1087  C652        = 2D  just trying to improve the contract

 

S9  HQJ10765 DA43  C832         = 2H  just trying to improve the contract

 

SA104 H K9873  DQ43  C87        = 2S  simple raise

 

SJ4  HAQ8  DQ964  CKJ109       = 2NT invitational

 

SJ1084  HA832  DK32  CJ10       = 3C  constructive raise

 

SQ  HAJ10   DKQJ9862  CJ8       = 3D  highly invitational

 

S3  HAQJ984  DKQ42   CQ2        = 3H  highly invitational

 

SQJ102  HJ10943  DJ98  C2       = 3S  preemptive

 

SK5  HA109  DKJ42  CAJ103      = 3NT

 

 

Additional Thoughts: 

 

An important factor to always consider is the vulnerability.  Your partner might make a fairly light overcall non-vulnerable but when he’s looking at that red color, he should be much more conservative.  A two-level vulnerable overcall should promise a near opening hand and a good six+ card suit.  A good rule is “The weaker the hand, the better the suit”.  Your response to his bid should take that into consideration.  An overcall at the one-level is often just lead directing and there may be danger in getting too high.

 

You must also pay close attention to the bidding.  For example, if there is an opening bid on your right and your left hand opponent makes a two over one bid, an overcall by your partner is probably just lead directing.  In this auction:

 

OPP    YOU    OPP    PARD

1S         P       2H       3C

 

If you have values, don’t expect partner to have much more than a good club suit because there just aren’t that many high cards in the deck.  Of course, with favorable vulnerability, a sacrifice over the opponents’ game might be possible.

 

 

 

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