SUGGESTED RESPONSES TO AN OVERCALL
adapted from Commonsense Bidding (Root, 1982) and Two Over One Game Force, Revised (Hardy,1989)
Since overcalls are often made with a hand which is less than opening strength, and since Advancer should often make a single raise for competitive and obstructive reasons, the following schedule of responses is suggested:
Single Raise = 5-9 Pts, 3+ card support
Double Raise = Preemptive and weak, usually 4+ card support
Triple Raise = Preemptive and weak, usually 5+ card support
No Trump = 9-11 HCP, stopper in opener's suit
Jump in No Trump = 12+ HCP, stopper in opener's suit
Cue Bid =
General force, asking if Overcaller has as opening hand.
Usually a limit raise or better for Overcaller's suit,
but advancer may instead be exploring for 3NT.
Overcaller's rebids:
Minumum rebid of suit = less than opening hand.
Jump rebid of suit = opening hand with 6 card suit.
No Trump = opening hand with stopper.
New Suit = opening hand without stopper.
New Suit = Not forcing. If Overcaller has bid a major, Advancer has no fit and is not interested in game. If Advancer bids a major in response to a minor-suit overcall, Advancer has tolerance for Overcaller's suit and a five-card major. Advancer should have at least 10+ HCP. With no fit for Advancer's major, Overcaller rebids the minor. With a fit for Advancer's major, Overcaller will pass with less than opening values or raise with an opening hand
Jump Shift
A sound opening hand (14+ Pts) with no fit for Overcaller's suit.
Overcaller may pass with minimum values.
Paul Lanier
June 9, 1996