[hrothgar]

Free's thread regarding overcalling strong club openings has created some discussion regarding best practices when overcalling a strong club opening.

I'd be interested in seeing some discussion regarding the methods that people employ:

If practical, I'd like to see something like the following

The bid
The definition
A prototypical "minimum" hand suitable for the overcall (if appropriate)
A prototypical "maximum" hand suitable for the overcall (if appropriate)

If certain hands are suitable for more than one overcall (ie, a mixed strategy), this can also be noted

[Free]

Wasn't my thread, but ok, here's what I play:

Dbl = also a strong ♣ opener, responses similar to our normal power doubles with adjusted HCP ranges
1♦ = (3)4+♥, lead directing or constructive
1♥ = (3)4+♠, lead directing or constructive
1♠ = 0-3♠, usually with support in the other suits, or with a singlesuited hand where you don't want to give opps a cuebid
1NT = 44+M or 5+m
2m = DONT, 44+
2M = 5+M
2NT = 55+ any 2-suiter
3X = preempt

Double shows at least the same strength as opener. So if they open 1♣ on 15+HCP, Dbl also shows 15+. Responses are (opposite 15+):
1♦ = 0-8hcp, 4+♥
1♥ = 0-8hcp, 4+♠
1♠ = 0-8hcp, no 4+M, 6+m
1NT = 0-8hcp, no 4+M, no 6+m
2X = GF, unbalanced, 5+ cards in the next suit (2♠ shows ♣)
2NT = GF, balanced
3X = GF, 4441 with singleton X

1♦ and 1♥ bids are mostly lead directing, and suspect partner to preempt with support rather than taking bidding space away immediatly. 'AKJ' is good enough as well. These bids are also used for constructive hands (AKTxx-x-KJxx-Qxx is a nice hand, if partner supports we want to go to game, but it's too strong for an immediate 2♠ bid) which can't Dbl (or doesn't want to).

We have 2 'pain in the ass'-bids: 1♠ and 1NT. 1♠ is basicly a garbage collection, usually with 3+ cards in all other suits. You can almost always bid this, but when we have a higher bid available we prefer the higher bid. 1NT can be several things, so opps don't know immediatly how to respond. If they Dbl we use a forcing pass to let overcaller transfer his long suit (so we can distinguish between 5-4M as well).

The only requirement for 1NT and higher bids is 'decent suits'. A 'decent 4-card' means QTxx or Kxxx or any 5+ card suit. According to the vulnerability we choose what to bid on several hands. We might deviate from this for an unbid suit (2m bid with a poor 4 card M).

We try to avoid passing when NV. Only once partner passed when NV, and I made the right conclusion to give him 4-3-3-3 with 4 small ♠s.
When V we also try to bid, but more careful. When V vs NV we can pass...

I've been playing this for a long time now, and when it's used properly we get very good results. We find playable spots when opps want to penalize us, or makeble contracts when they're weak.

[mike777]

Many if not most strong clubbers use to the opp overcalling with non hands and non suits. I will use a strategy of making normal overcalls and wjo as if rho has opened a one bid. I play Suction so will let the opp figure out how best to handle those issues.

[Free]

Btw, bidding with the example of Kalvan starts with a 1♥ overcall (AQJxx-x-KJx-Txxx is quite good imo), partner simply raises to 2♠, and you can invite with 3♣ helpsuit trial. Now we end in 4♠ ofcourse, and the strong hand has to lead to an unknown declarer.

[Kalvan14]

We play:

• X for clubs
  
• 1D transfer to hearts
  
• 1H transfer to spades
  
• 1 S: Raptor (4 spades, 5 m)
  
• 1NT: Raptor, 4 hearts, 5 m
  
• 2C: minors (5-5 or longer clubs)
  
• 2D: majors (5-5 or longer hearts)
  
• 2H/2S: Mujderberg
  
• 2N: blacks or reds (5-5)
  
• 3x: pre-empt

It is not a very aggressive scheme, but it works reasonably as both defense and offense. I've been toying a lot with the idea of 1♠ showing 0-2 cards, and a fit for the other 3 suits. IMO, it might be complemented by 2♣ as a t/o of clubs with spade anchor (and 1NT would show the minors).

[Robert]

Hi everyone

CRO Wonder=Color, Rank and Other

(1C)-X=two 'matching' colored suits Zero+ HCP(could be 4-4)

1D=two 'matching' ranking suits Zero+ HCP

1H=two 'opposite' suits(C/H or D/S) Zero+ HCP

1S=three suited 'short' in any suit

Partner will 'correct' once.

(1C)-1NT='any' one suited hand

-2C=two 'matching' colored suits Zero+HCP(5-5+ suits)

-2D=two 'ranking' colored suits.

-2H=two 'opposite' suits(C/H or D/S again)

-2S='natural' shows spades!

-2NT='any' one suiter that is not asking for the lead.

-3C+=natural lead directing long suit

Pass tends to be either strong or 4333 hands.

Regards,
Robert

[FrancesHinden]

I believe that against strong opponents with well-defined methods you should use a method that lets partner raise as fast as possible with a fit. Against weaker opponents or those without well-defined methods, the 'random' type of bids work better.

However, we can't be bothered to play more than one system, so we do something very simple:

x = diamonds & spades
1D/1H/1S = that suit + the suit above
1NT = clubs and hearts
2C=>2S = natural
2NT = minors

A strong balanced hand passes the first round.
A strong distributional hand in principle passes over 1C but often can't face it.

Minimum at favourable is a 4-4 for a 2-suiter. Some 2-suiters become 1-suiters for pre-emptive value; I'd overcall 2S on KQxxx x xxx Jxxx (actually I might overcall 2S on a 4144 as well, but not in public).

Minimum at red is something sane: KQxxx KJxx xx xx woudl be rock-bottom for a 1H overcall, and at higher levels a better hand is needed.

We don't play any codified scheme of responses. Non-game jumps are fit bids, cue (if/when available) is a good raise, redouble of a double says you have your own suit you would like to play in.

[lowerline]

dbl = diamonds OR majors
1d = hearts OR blacks
1h = spades OR minors
1s = clubs OR reds
1nt = pointed OR rounded

[Codo]

We have an easy scheme too:
1 of Each suit: Lead directing 4+
1 NT: Clubs:
2 any: Capelletti
2 NT both minors

In principal, all bids show less then 12 HCPs, else we wait and bid later.
But sometimes, stronger hands are bid this way too.

[Gerben42]

We had someone overcalling a non-suit yesterday...

1♣ (2♥) at all red, turns out the suit as A76532 (this is why French cards are nice here, you have ♥765321 ) The overcall cost IIOO

Anyway...

Dbl 1♦ 1♥ 1♠: Natural (Dbl for ♣), invites preemptive raise or constructive auction from partner. For example ♥KQTxx and an Ace or so. Partner can lead the suit.
Limited by the ability to pass and then bid, so could be quite strong if the distribution is bad. (♠ AQx ♥xx ♦ KQTxx ♣ Axx, then still 1♦ because we might get pushed out of the auction otherwise)

1 or more NT : ♥♣ or ♦♠
2 or more ♣: ♣ or ♦♥
2 or more ♦: ♦ or ♥♠
2 or more ♥: ♥ or ♠♣
2 or more ♠: ♠ or ♣♦

With the 1-suited hand, just treat as natural WJO. For example at all white with KJTxxx and out, bid two of your suit. with KJTxxxx and out, bid 3 of your suit, etc.

With the 2-suited hand, preemptive and sane. No kamikaze bids. If it comes up, nice. If not, also fine. Higher bids are based on losers, so even quite strong distributional hands might go this way. Could be part of a mixed strategy with such hands, either pass then show good hand with distribution, or preempt directly.

Taken to extremes: With ♠ AKQxx ♥ KQJxxx ♦x ♣xx, might bid 4♦ after 1♣ and not pass followed by Michael's cuebid.

Pass then bid: Normal overcall structure to any suit shown, about 14+ HCP. Very good hand.

Yesterday we had this auction:
(1♣ 16+) p! (1♦ neg.) p
(1♠ nat.) 1NT*

* 4♥, longer minor, very good hand. Partner held something like xx AQxx AKQxxx x

[whereagles]

The precise convention you use after a strong club is 99% irrelevant. What is relevant is the type of hand the bids show. The strategy is simple:

Strong hand (16+ hcp): the objective is to fight for the partscore. This one is easy: pass the 1♣ bid and overcall later.

Weak hand (0-15 hcp): the objective is obstruction. Bid as soon as you can and as high as your ODR permits. Wide range is not the problem: the less you have, the more pard will have. And if he doesn't, opps sure have a game or a slam. Very bold overcalls require, of course, very conservative raises from pard.

A bid of (1♣) 1♠ would show a min like:

♠ KQJx
♥ xxx
♦ xxxx
♣ xx

whereas a max would be something like:

♠ AKJxx
♥ AKx
♦ xxx
♣ xx

[mr1303]

I've concluded that I want my 1M bids to be natural, since it's here that partner is going to be more likely to want to jam the auction pre-emptively. So what I do is:

X = Majors or minors
1NT = Reds/Blacks
1D = Pointys/Roundeds
1M = Natural, 4+ cards
2X = Panama, either natural or 3 suited with shortage in X.

It works pretty effectively, and I'm yet to be doubled and go for a number

[FrancesHinden]

mr1303, on Jan 11 2006, 01:57 PM, said:

It works pretty effectively, and I'm yet to be doubled and go for a number

In that case you aren't bidding enough.

[hrothgar]

Here are my preferred methods (for what its worth, I echo Frances' thoughts about wanting to clarify suits quickly)

Pass = Strong or weak

X = Both majors

Typical example hands

♠ KJT2 ♥QT98 ♦73 ♣762
♠ AJ763 ♥ KT52 ♦ 9 ♣ 763

1♣ = Lead directing (typically a canape overcall)

Typical example hands

♠ 92 ♥ 874 ♦ QT853 ♣ KQ3
♠ 54 ♥ T87432 ♦ 63 ♣ AQJ

1♦ = Lead directing (typically a canape overcall)
1♥ = Lead directing (typically a canape overcall)

1♠ = Spades

♠ AJ72 ♥ 52 ♦ QT62 ♣ 763
♠ AQJ73 ♥ 74 ♦ 843 ♣ K5
♠ AJ843♥ 8742 ♦ 672♣ 4

1N = 2 suited with Spades and a minor

♠ AQ52 ♥ 673 ♦ QT632 ♣ 3
♠ AJT62 ♥ 4♦ 52 ♣ KJ942

2♣ = Clubs and Hearts

♠ 7632 ♥ QJ73 ♦ 4 ♣ KQ42
♠ 5 ♥ AQJ9 ♦ Q42 ♣ KQ8742

2♦ = Diamonds and Hearts

♠ Q52 ♥ KT52 ♦ QT62 ♣ 62
♠ 42♥ KJT82 ♦ AQ932 ♣ 3

2♥ = Hearts

♠ 73 ♥ QJT642 ♦ K72 ♣ 732
♠ K4 ♥ AQT9732 ♦ 763 ♣ 2

2♠ = Spades

2N = Clubs or Diamonds and a major

3C = Minors

♠ 4 ♥ 863 ♦KJ762 ♣ KQ73
♠ 2 ♥ 63 ♦ AT572 ♣ AKT73

3♦ = Diamonds
3♥ = Majors

[pclayton]

with Brian we play CRASH / Transfers. With Harv, its just CRASH. I would say Justin's minimums would fit our parameters. I'm discussing with both of them the upper limit; which I've convinced myself is an opening bid.

[tysen2k]

I play CRASH and Inverted Psycho Suction above the 1-level. I believe it's also a good idea to make sure your Dbl and 1♦ overcalls are not very frequent.

Dbl = non-weak hearts (usually opening hand or better)
1♦ = non-weak spades
1♥ = 44 or 45 (longer lower rank) of same color
1♠ = 44 or 45 of same rank
1NT = usually 54 or 45 of same shape
2♣ = 5♦&4♣ or 6♥
2♦ = 5♥&4♦ or 6♠
2♥ = 5♠&4♥ or 6/7♣
2♠ = 5♣&4♠ or 6/7♦
2NT = 55 of same shape
...

Higher bids are just like 2-level bids with more extreme shape.

Tysen

[Al_U_Card]

pass= any good hand will come in later.
Dbl= xfr to ♥
1♦=xfr to ♠
1♥=♥ and a m
1♠=♠ and a m
1NT= minors
2m=natural
2♥=Majors
2♠=other 3 suits

over the initial transfers to H and S (single suited hands) responder bids

1st step=3+ trump in a balanced hand
trump suit= 2 or fewer trump with an outside 5 card suit
any higher bid shows a 5+ card suit with 3+ trump

[inquiry]

I play a method I got from the Chris Ryall's paradox page...

Pass is either balanced (any). With distributional hands, If I can use a more or less forcing distributional showing bid (like 2C showing both majors or a diamond preempt) I will bid first. But with diamond or club one suiter, I tend to pass first and bid later to show stregth. With all two suiters, I show them right away strong or weak as I get to bid again, with the exception of a spade-diamond hand (where if I show it, partner might pass). So iwth ♦-♠ I will pass and then bid later. Here is the method


DBL = clubs (he called it bland)
1♦ = heart suit (transfer overcall)
1♥ = spade suit (transfer overcall)
1♠ = (raptor like) spades and longer minor (usually 4 card spade)
1NT = (raptor like) Hearts and a longer minor (usually 4 spades)
2♣ = 6+♦ or 5-5 in the majors (not vul I might be 5-4 in majors ;-)
2♦ = 6+♥ or 5♠+. 5+♣ (I might bid only 1♠ if too weak... :-)
2♥ = 6+♠ or 5-5 or better in the minor
2♠ = ♠ and ♦ at least 5-5
2NT = hearts and clubs
above 2NT = preempt in bid suit.

Chris actually has a nice page listing a lot of different defenses to strong 1♣, along with discussion of some of the various features, you can find it here...

http://www.cavendish.demon.co.uk/bridge/de...strong-club.htm

Ben

[luke warm]

the one i use, which is included in the 2/1 system in the FD thread, is

x=♣ & ♦ or ♦ only
1♦=♥ & ♠ or ♠ only
1♥=♠ & ♣ or ♣ only
1♠=♣ & ♥
1nt=♦ & ♠
2♣=♦ & ♥ or ♥ only

same for 1♦ response to strong club, same for 1nt opening, for strong 2c, etc