[Free]

At least put on some pressure and bid 2♥ immediately... 1♥ looks really sick, but depends on agreements

[Fluffy]

I would pass first time, second time I ahve my doubts.

[the hog]

I totally agree with the objection to not overcalling 1H. In the words of my Australian partner, "If my partner saw me pass this hand, she would introduce me to that famous Russian Bridge player Illa Kutschyanutzorv. By the way, his pd was former World Champ Nicola Smith nee Gardiner. She would ALWAYS overcall on hands like this.

I would certainly NOT balance. Balancing is far more dangerous than overcalling.

[whereagles]

Well, I for one do draw a line for overcall/not and this hand is below it. I agree with pass 1st round.

As for now, pard is very likely to have a balanced 11-15, so a 2♥ bid now seems quite safe.

[kenrexford]

If AJxxx and AJxxxx, both "and out," are good for a 1♥ overcall, what the Heck is a 2♥ overcall showing (when preemptive)? Jxxxx(x) and out?

[jdonn]

kenrexford, on Jul 27 2007, 09:39 AM, said:

If AJxxx and AJxxxx, both "and out," are good for a 1♥ overcall, what the Heck is a 2♥ overcall showing (when preemptive)? Jxxxx(x) and out?

A suit with fewer of those x cards and more of those Q J T 9 cards silly.

[kenrexford]

I used to play that a one-level overcall showed 2+ (at least Q10xxx in your suit). Then, I went to 0+. Then, I went to "could be opened by my (perhaps ridiculous) opening standards."

I just don't get, any more, this pussy-foot approach. If you want to bid this suit, take out your balls and bid 2♥. Otherwise, stay quiet. Overcalling 1♥ overstresses that option of lead (you don't have AJ10xx or even AJ9xx), makes partner's head explode when the opponents keep bidding or when he has a monster, and even allows a transfer of spade contracts to the likely stronger hand, where you now are the one to lead with this junk. Not to mention, it often helps the opponents know that their stiff is well-placed.

But, to each his own.

[neilkaz]

Jlall, on Jul 27 2007, 01:25 AM, said:

I am very confident fantoni would also have overcalled 1H with this hand too. I still think pass sucks.

Justin and anyone who overcalls really light (IMO) like this. What is the best hand you can have for a simple O/C and please detail your response methods to overcalls.

OK if you give a single raise on any 3 cards that would support an opener, you're usually protected by the law at 2 level, but what about when you have 4 cards, what about 3 card support and 11 HCP or so ? What about when the opps compete and you (likely with 4 cards) need to judge whether to compete to the 3 level, but are unsure if opener has 5 HCP or a reasonable hand ?

Anyhow..for me... AQTxx is the worst hand I'd ever overcall with and I still don't feel good when I do it, but at least I want it lead to me.

.. neilkaz .. just trying to learn ..

[pclayton]

Its close, but I'd pass the 1st time. Give me the ♥T and I overcall.

Now I pass.

[han]

I'm in the 1H camp.

In fact, in the Spingold I had ♠x ♥Jxxxxx ♦Qxx ♣Kxx, red against white and my RHO opened 1C (could be short). I'll hide the rest of the story:

Spoiler

I overcalled 1H, LHO bid 1S (4+) and partner jumped to 3NT. RHO passed, I bid 4H and LHO doubled.

Partner tabled a 17-count with A10 tight of hearts, KQx was onside so 4HX made. We would have won the match without this board but it would have been close.

[han]

neilkaz, on Jul 27 2007, 10:02 PM, said:

Justin and anyone who overcalls really light (IMO) like this. What is the best hand you can have for a simple O/C and please detail your response methods to overcalls.

There are certainly 19-counts with which I would overcall 1H.

After (1C)-1H-(pass) we play:

1S = non-forcing
1NT = ~8-11
2C = diamonds
2D = ~8+, typically 3 hearts
2H = ~3-7 heart raise
2S = natural, very strong
2NT = 4-card limit raise or better
3C = mixed raise
3D = support jump shift
3H = preemptive
3S, 4C, 4D = splinter
3NT = to play
4H = preemptive

I won't deny that you sometimes get a bad score overcalling 1H with such a wide range.

[Robert]

Hi Hannie

What do you bid with 12+ balanced? Do you also put it into the 2D* cuebid?
An 8+ raise or 12+ balanced???

Several decades ago I played Blue TEam Club with 3-12/13HCP overcalls and suits of K10xx+ We normally ignored partner when he bid except to make a single raise with some pretty good hands. Times were much less interesting.
Weak jumps, weak jump shifts and bid with almost anything has made the modern game much more interesting.

Regards,
Robert

[cherdano]

Robert, on Jul 28 2007, 09:04 PM, said:

Hi Hannie

What do you bid with 12+ balanced? Do you also put it into the 2D* cuebid?
An 8+ raise or 12+ balanced???

No, 2D promises at least 3 card support. With 12-15 balanced you bid your suit, or transfer to your suit and bid 2N. With 16-17 balanced, you hang partner for his 6 hcp overcall by bidding 3N if there is no other way to bid your hand.
(He then bids 4H on his Jxxxxx suit, gets doubled and makes.)

Seriously, it can obviously be a problem, but this style tries to find fits over trying to find hcp-3N games. My impression is it has been a big winner for us, but obviously I may have selective memory...

[Robert]

Hi cherdano

Bid what suit? I do not bid(or transfer into' a 'three' card suits in reply to an overcall. You might, however, I do not.

What do you bid holding KJx xx Axx KJxxx playing these methods? If you still reply with a 8-11 1NT, add a Queen or Jack to get to the next higher range NT range. Transferring to an Axx 'suit' is not part of my bidding style, partner may well want to choose diamonds over my later NT bid.

Bidding to 2NT 'after' transferring to diamonds opposite what might well be a six HCP overcall is would also be a considerable leap of faith.

Bidding 3NT with 16-17 opposite a 5/6 point overcall is also quite a leap of faith. If 4MXed always makes, why not bid it directly? Why does the other pair keep doubling you 'if' the contract always makes?

Enjoy playing your style. I have changed my bidding style from Italian style
3-12/13HCP overcalls(and 'off shape' doubles) with K10xx+ suits to my current style of a somewhat higher HCP standard.

Seriously now, the other pair does not get to make raises(jump raises?) that now put you to the last guess with very little idea of what partner really has?

Sounds fun to play against you, your bidding does not provide much information about defensive values so I am unlikely to be doubled while playing against you.

Regards,
Robert