An overcall at the one level should be single suited, 10 - 15 highs and have a quality suit. In reality two of the above is absolutely fine but were the world perfect that's what you'd have. Those of you who have ever taught someone to play will know what I'm getting at; forever explaining that takeout doubles are for 4441 hand shapes with opening values. No trump openings never contain singletons.
It occurred to me that the perfect one level overcall isn't any of those things. It's actually this:
| ♠ | 9 6 5 3 2 |
|---|
| ♥ | A K Q 6 |
|---|
| ♦ | 8 7 |
|---|
| ♣ | 9 3 |
|---|
When the hand on your right opens 1
♦ you bid 1
♥. Done? Good. Now, watch this. Someone will double, there'll be a fourth suit forcing. One hand wants a heart stop and the other just wants their partner to agree spades. They'll frown and worry and shake their heads and end up in 4
♦ on a layout like this:
|
| ♠ | K Q T 4 |
|---|
| ♥ | 8 5 4 2 |
|---|
| ♦ | K 4 |
|---|
| ♣ | A Q 5 |
|---|
|
| ♠ | 9 6 5 3 2 |
|---|
| ♥ | A K Q 6 |
|---|
| ♦ | 8 7 |
|---|
| ♣ | 9 3 |
|---|
|  |
| ♠ | A 7 |
|---|
| ♥ | T 9 3 |
|---|
| ♦ | T 6 5 2 |
|---|
| ♣ | J T 4 2 |
|---|
|
|
| ♠ | J 8 |
|---|
| ♥ | J 7 |
|---|
| ♦ | A Q J 9 3 |
|---|
| ♣ | K 8 7 6 |
|---|
|
Your teamies are in 3NT and think nothing of it.
Think you reversed the minors in N/S :) I do like the overcall, very feisty but relatively safe, particularly if your P is a passed hand. Don't think I'd do it in first/second seat, though.
ReplyDeleteIf playing a weak NT, south might have tried a 1NT opener, another bid which doesn't conform to the ideals but which tends to be a practical option from time to time...
ReplyDeleteHBJ ; the heart overcall is spot on, not only does it guarantee a safe lead ( by either you or your partner ) but it certainly stops the opponents finding 3NT.......given you may hold five hearts, and that four to the 8 doesn't look like a stopper in the suit.
ReplyDeleteThere are situations when an opponent's bid just completely snuffs out any possibility of getting a decent result on the board.