Index
Simple Suit Overcalls
Jump Suit Overcalls
Notrump Overcalls
Overcalling Notrump
Direct Cues
When Opponents Have Bid 2 Suits
(1Z)-1Y: Promises at least 5 of the suit bid. Generally 8-16 HCP.
(1Z)-2Y (Y lower ranking than Z): More solid hand, especially vulnerable.
(1Z)-1Y-2Z,
(1Z)-2Y-2Z: Three or more card support for partner, limit raise values or
better.
(1Z)-1Y-2Z-2Y,
(1Z)-2Y-2Z-3Y: Minimum overcall, no game interest unless partner can force.
(1Z)-1Y-2Y: Exactly three card support for partner, any strength from a bust (at favorable) to just short of limit raise values.
(1Z)-1Y-3Y: Four (and occasionally five) card support for partner, with a maximum of 6 dummy points.
(1Z)-1Y-3Z: Mixed raise: four card support for partner, 7-10 (a bad 10) dummy points. Unless Y is the suit directly above Z, 3Y denies game interest, and intervening suits are game tries.
(1W)-1Y-2Z: Natural and forcing for 1 round (applicable for other levels of Y and Z, given that they're the cheapest level possible for the bid).
(1Z)-2Y (Y higher ranking than Z),
(1Z)-1N: Basically the same as a 1 notrump opener, though we may let
18-point hands sneak in due to the bidding room taken away from us. RHO's suit
should be stopped, though you may feel like taking a chance if it's a minor.
Over this call, the whole system of responses (click
here for a reminder) is ON.
(1Z)-P-1N: Using the old "borrow a king" theory, this bid shows about
12-15 HCP with opener's suit stopped. Responses by advancer are natural.
(1Z)-2N: Shows at least 5-5 in the two lowest unbid suits. We play
exclusion zone point range when partner has an unpassed hand, i.e., overcaller
will hold 0-10 or 16+ HCP. With 11-15, overcall one suit and be prepared to bid the
second. Partner should generally assume the weaker hand and make a Total Tricks call.
Two systems are popular in our group: DONT and
Modified Cappelletti. We play DONT against 2NT openers
and Mod-Cap against Weak 1NTs (13-15 or less). Against strong 1NTs, it
depends on the partnership.
Two-suited bids generally show 5-4-3-1 shape or better. Over 2NT openers,
they should show 5-5 or better.
(1N)-X: Unspecified one-suited hand.
Requesting partner to bid 2C, pass or correct, if
LHO passes. Note: If overcaller's suit is spades, this bid promises
a good hand, at least close to opening values.
(1N)-2C: A two-suited hand, clubs and another
suit.
(1N)-2C-2D: Pass
or correct, requesting overcaller's other suit.
(1N)-2D: A two-suited hand, diamonds and an
unspecified major.
(1N)-2D-2H: Pass
or correct, requesting overcaller's major suit.
(1N)-2H: A two-suited hand, with both
majors.
(1N)-2S: A weaker one-suited spade hand
than the sequence
(1N)-X-2C-2S.
(1N)-2C: A two-suited hand, namely both
majors.
(1N)-2C-2D: Showing
no preference between the majors, and asking partner to pick (in case of uneven
length by overcaller).
(1N)-2D: A one-suited hand, with an
unspecified major. Any major suit response by partner is a pessimistic
Total Tricks pass-or-correct call. Thus, if one of advancer's majors is at least two
cards shorter than the other, that is the pass-or-correct suit advancer will
bid.
(1N)-2H: A two-suited hand, with hearts and
an unspecified minor.
(1N)-2H-2N:
Requesting the identity of partner's minor.
(1N)-2S: A two-suited hand, with spades and
an unspecified minor.
(1N)-2S-2N:
Requesting the identity of partner's minor.
(1N)-2N: A two-suited hand, with both
minors.
Important:The ACBL, in its infinite
wisdom, has made the (1N)-2D sequence described
above a MidChart convention. Washington area clubs and District 6 tournaments
have responded by explicitly permitting the use of this convention in most,
if not all, events. If you are playing in a game governed by strict
GCC limitations, you may need to switch to straight Cappelletti. It differs
from the above as follows:
(1N)-2C: Unspecified one-suited hand.
Requesting partner to bid 2D, pass or correct, if
LHO passes.
(1N)-2D: A two-suited hand, with both
majors.
(1M)-2SM: Shows at least 5-5 in two unbid suits, one of which is the
second major. We play exclusion zone point range if partner is an unpassed hand,
i.e., overcaller will hold 0-10 or 16+ HCP. With 11-15, overcall one suit and be
prepared to bid the second. Partner should generally assume the weaker hand and the
less appetizing minor in partner's hand, and make a Total Tricks call.
(1M)-2SM-2NT: Requesting the identity of
partner's minor.
1Y-2Y: If the opponent's bid is totally
artificial (for example, Precision 1C, as opposed to "could be short" 1C),
the bid is the equivalent of a natural simple overcall.
Note: This may be overridden by other specific defenses, such as a
Precision Defense.
(1Y)-P-(1Z)-X: Your garden-variety takeout double. Should have opening
values or close to it unpassed, a near-maximum as a passed hand. At least 4-4
in the unbids, unless holding a powerhouse.
(1Y)-P-(1Z)-1N: The "Sandwich Notrump,"
showing the unbid suits and a hand somewhat weaker than what a double shows.
As an unpassed hand, that means clearly short of an opening bid. Not
vulnerable, this can be bid with 4-4 in the unbid suits (though 5-4 is more likely),
vulnerable, more shape should be present.
(1Y)-P-(1Z)-2N: Another form of unusual 2NT, showing a shapelier hand
than either the double or the 1NT bid, either 5-5 or 6-6. Point range
unspecified.
(1Y)-P-(1Z)-2Y,
(1Z)-3Y (Y lower ranking than Z): Basically the equivalent of a weak
2 in Y.
(1m)-2Sm: Shows at least 5-4, and almost always 5-5 in the two majors.
We play exclusion zone point range if partner is an unpassed hand, i.e.,
overcaller will hold 0-10 or 16+ HCP. With 11-15, overcall one suit and be prepared
to bid the second. Partner should generally assume the weaker hand and make a Total
Tricks call.
So many two-suited takeout calls are available, you can really fine-tune your
bid.
(1Y)-P-(1Z)-2Z:
The cues are also two-suited takeouts; these show more length in one of the
suits. The cue of the lower of the suits shows a longer lower unbid suit
(a shape of 5-6 or maybe 4-6, and if not vulnerable, possibly 4-5), while
a cue of the higher suit shows more length in the higher of the unbid suits.
DTS Home
Notrump Openings
Major Suit Openings
Minor Suit Openings
2-level Openings
Special Doubles
Over Doubles
Preempts: Ours and Theirs
Slam Bidding
Other Conventional Calls
Leads & Carding