[kenrexford]

Wherever assessing a close overcall, I go through a couple of questions. For me, on this hand, those weigh in favor of a pass.

1. Will I help or impede the opponents?

I don't want to lead against a spade contract, and 2♣ makes it more likely that I also lead against a heart contract. Plus, I do not want to make easier the normal difficult problem of focusing hearts after a spade opening.

2. If overcalling a minor, do I like the prospects of a 3NT contract?

No.

3. If I am Jump Overcalling, I will discourage bids in side majors; if I Simple Overcall, I encourage them -- which do I want?

Here, my hearts suck, so I'd want to discourage, but slightly. Plus, my clubs are bad for a heart contract.

4. Do I have a reasonable defensive contribution?

No. Close, but not quite enough. I like my diamonds, but I dislike my lead.

5. Might I like a sacrifice?

No. Although I do not like my hand for doubling because of too little defense, I have too much body for sacrificing. Jacks all over the place cause problems for declarers at high levels. Plus, I have an 8-loser hand, which is about as poor as you can get in context. My LTC-to-Body ratio is horrible.

6. Do I have a surprise Zia-feature?

No. My Jack of Spades is stiff, so Declarer's restricted-choice guess, if he has one, will be right. My values will be on the table, and none of them will be surprising values.

7. Will I feel pressured later if I do not act now?

No. I can cope with partner making a red-suit call, doubling, passing, whatever, if I pass.

[benlessard]

Im beginning to get tired of these do you overcall question. Its a defensive-offensive ratio style problems. Either you allow weakish overcall or you don`t.

Most average players think that you should overcall as long as it relatively safe to overcall. They just don`t see the whole equation.

With today very agressive bridge I like to X my opponents and so does my partner so we play sound value all around except for preempts. Im expecting partner to have close to 1 quick trick for a 1 level overcall 1.5 for an opening and 2 for a 2 level overcall (or a strong club opening) there is nothing more to it.

We don`t overcall with (but ill preempt)

KQJTxx
QJx
Jxx
x

We don`t open with (its a 2♠ or 3♠ for me)

KQJxxx
Qxxx
Qx
Q

etc...

When the bidding goes

1♠ ---(2♣)---4♠---???

I prefer to be able to X with hand like

AQ
Axxxxx
xxxx
Qx

Then to find a sacrifice that will bring me 3 imps.

We miss some low HCP games we miss some sacrifice but its a "sound values" systemic choice and we live with it.

If super agressive style is working nice for you then keep the pressure on your opponents by bidding as much as you can.



The most important thing is that both side of the partnership are on the same wavelenght.

The 2nd most is that with a new or a pickup partner play sound values its just a lot more simple.

3rd Its ok to be bold and agressive as long as your able to return to a more classical style if your ass is being kicked badly.

[Fluffy]

kenrexford, on Aug 31 2007, 12:45 PM, said:

Wherever assessing a close overcall, I go through a couple of questions. For me, on this hand, those weigh in favor of a pass.

1. Will I help or impede the opponents?

2. If overcalling a minor, do I like the prospects of a 3NT contract?

3. If I am Jump Overcalling, I will discourage bids in side majors; if I Simple Overcall, I encourage them -- which do I want?

4. Do I have a reasonable defensive contribution?

5. Might I like a sacrifice?

6. Do I have a surprise Zia-feature?

7. Will I feel pressured later if I do not act now?

How long does it nromally take you to make an overcall?

[jdonn]

benlessard, on Aug 31 2007, 10:11 AM, said:

Im beginning to get tired of these do you overcall question.

Well then what are you typing a long reply for lol. You want some cheese with your whine?

[whereagles]

Well, I would butt-in. If we have a 5C save, this is the ONLY way to find it, bar pard having a freak.

[kenrexford]

whereagles, on Aug 31 2007, 06:31 PM, said:

Well, I would butt-in. If we have a 5C save, this is the ONLY way to find it, bar pard having a freak.

That's true.

And, if we have a phantom 5♣ save, this is also the only way to find that as well.

[han]

On this hand you can make 4H and bidding 2C might be the only way to get to that contract as well.

[ulven]

2C is a clear-cut overcall for me.