[fred]

I think this is a lot closer than most of the others posters seem to think.

If my partner was not a passed hand I would probably overcall 1NT.

If I had a single nice spot card (the 10 of clubs or diamonds for example) I would probably overcall 1NT.

If I was playing matchpoints I would probably overcall 1NT.

If I was not vul I would probably overcall 1NT.

(Not that I would be thrilled with my choice in any of these cases).

I might even overcall 1NT in the actual circumstances (playing against weak opponents or opponents who open very light for example). However, I suspect I would manage to find the discipline to Pass.

With my regular partners I play 1NT=15 to 18 (versus the usual 15+ to 18 that most Americans write on their convention cards). Also we are not light openers and the lighter you open the less attractive 1NT facing a passed hand becomes.

For me 1D is a distant third choice (and that would remain true even if I had better spots in diamonds). This is not the type of hand that is suitable for an overcall on a 4-card suit in my view.

I have never played a style in which DBL is an acceptable alternative with this sort of hand, but it would not surprise me to learn that such a style can be effective (with plenty of discussion). However, this is not even close to being "Standard" (at least in this part of the world) so it is not the sort of thing I would ever try without previous discussion.

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[jtfanclub]

Walddk, on Feb 28 2007, 05:06 AM, said:

Scoring: IMP

---

Team match on BBO yesterday. Your partner passes and RHO opens a natural 1♣. Do you overcall 1NT or not?

Roland

Well I bid 1NT, of course.

I don't understand X. If 1NT X running to 2♠ is 1400, then 1♣ XX running to 1♠ is 1100. That's not going to be a big difference in IMPs. And there's no guarantee that your partner will bid just one. Lying isn't going to save you much.

Pass seems like a reasonable action. If I go for 500, surely they have 620. I might go for more, but I think it's far more likely that either my interference will keep them from finding their best score or allow partner to find a good defensive bid.

[cherdano]

Fred, would you overcall 1N if you switch the minors?

You seem to overcall 1N quite a bit lighter than most experts (although I guess a few world class players are quite close to your style), I remember some hands that seemed more like a 14+ than 15. Have you ever tried to keep track of your results on these overcalls?

[Walddk]

To Fred: LHO did open light, and yet ...

To Arend: 1100 should have been the result. For some reason only known to himself declarer elected to concede 1400.

Here is the full hand:

Scoring: IMP

---

At the other table East did not open and EW got to 4♠ making after South had opened 1NT.

Roland

[pclayton]

Pass; with pard a passed hand there is very much to lose and little to gain with 1N.

A power double works fine (15+; usually balanced) if we played them and I can scramble out to 1 of a major if necessary.

[P_Marlowe]

Of course.

Maybe one day, I will have gotten my wings
burned to often, but I am still young and without
lots of bad experience.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[jtfanclub]

Walddk, on Feb 28 2007, 12:11 PM, said:

Here is the full hand:

Scoring: IMP

---

At the other table East did not open and EW got to 4♠ making after South had opened 1NT.

Maybe it's just my usual opposition, but after 1♣-1NT-X-P (not forcing)...I'd give it a good shot that the light opener wouldn't have the stomach to leave in the X.

Everything's against me...oh well. Next hand.

[fred]

cherdano, on Feb 28 2007, 05:07 PM, said:

Fred, would you overcall 1N if you switch the minors?

You seem to overcall 1N quite a bit lighter than most experts (although I guess a few world class players are quite close to your style), I remember some hands that seemed more like a 14+ than 15. Have you ever tried to keep track of your results on these overcalls?

My sense is that switching the minors makes this a better hand for the purposes of a 1NT overcall. How much better depends to some extent on things like your opponents' opening bid style and their tendencies on opening lead.

But please note that I included "probably" in a description of all of the cases in which I said I might overcall 1NT. The truth of the matter is that other factors besides my hand, the vul, and partner's passed hand status are involved. Who my partner is, who my opps are, the state of the match, and no doubt other things I am not aware of (sperm count, phase of the moon...) would contribute to my decision.

So I can't really answer your question except to say that I would be more likely to overcall 1NT if the minors were reversed.

I have a circle of friends who are excellent players (and in some cases my partners) who tend to:

1) Overcall 1NT if it is close between 1NT and Pass
2) Overcall 1NT if it is close between 1NT and DBL

I suspect that the influence of Meckstroth-Rodwell has played a big part in getting this particular circle of players to adopt this style.

I have not tracked my results, but my sense is that this strategy works well.

That being said, the success I have perceived (which may not even exist) might be more a function of being good (or lucky) in terms of choosing when to bid 1NT with particular marginal hands as opposed to anything inherantly good about this particular style.

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[whereagles]

In real life I would butt-in 1NT. Coming from Roland it's a crystal clear pass

[the hog]

Pass, no source of tricks. X is sick.

[Fluffy]

1♦ scored better than 1NT hehe (not if partner raises!)