[mike777]

What do your minimum 2club overcalls of 1D look like at various vul's?

[inquiry]

Four considerations. 1) Vul, 2) not vul, 3) MP, 4) Imps. I play the better overcalls the same at both (that is, a hand too good for 2C overcall at imps, is too good at mp, and a hand too good for 2C overcall vul is too good not vul, and vise versa). So the only real limits is on how light will you go. I overcall lighter at MP if there is a reason (I despirately want a lead, for instace). I have rarely overcalled 2C on a four card suit at MP that I really wanted partner to lead. But for all pratical purposes (other than a strategic bid), 2C promises a good five card suit or six or more card suit.

How weak can you go depends upon a few factors. For instance, there are hands I will overcall 2C at MP vul, 3C if not vul, and not at all at IMPS. An example would be this hand where partner is a passed hand. Here I might try 2C when vul since I don't expect partner o do anything wild without a fit, and my club quality provides some modest protection. Not vul at mp, I would do 3C, I would pass this at imps.
xxxx xx x AQJT85

Also, there is some issue of rather or not you use Raptor, for this question, I will assume not.

Not Vul at MP versus Vul, I might venture 2C on such trash as

Tx Qx xxxx AKTxx, or
xx ATx xxx KQTxx a

Neither of these bids are a thing of beauty. They are not close to traditional bids, and I am not overly joyed by that bid. I would not overcall with either of these hands at other vul or at any imps.

xxx KQJ x AJT8xx is a sound minimum 2C overcall vul at imps (regardless of their vulnerability).

Approaching a maximum would be....
AKx x ATx AQJxxx
AK x Axxx AK98xx
Ax AJT AK QT98xx
x KQx AK96 AQ9xx
AKJx K Qxx AQJxx


Too good for a simple 2C would be
AKQx Kxx x AKQxx (I usually double with this shape anyway)
Jxx Ax AKQ AQJTx
AK void KJT98 AKQJxx
void QJ AKQJ8x AKT87
Axx Ax Ax AKJ8xx

[kenrexford]

For me, this 2♣ call will always show either:

(a) If partner tries for 3NT, I will like putting down this dummy, or
(b ) I have a side four-card major and am suitable for a major game try.

Without either of these, I bid 3♣ or pass.

A "minimum" for (a) might be AQxxxx with a side Ace or King.
e.g., xxx-xx-Kx-AQxxxx

A minimum for (b ) might be AQxxx with Qxxx in a major, probably 3-1 on the side.
e.g., Qxxx-x-xxx-AQxxx.

[mike777]

edit

[inquiry]

mike777, on Aug 3 2006, 02:35 PM, said:

What about this at unfav vul?

Axx...Kxxx...x...KQT9x

(1d)=?

Double....

[kenrexford]

For me, that works. It meets both goals. I like my dummy for 3NT, 4♥, and even for 4♠.

Edit this -- I double also. Oops.