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Detail specifications 31BA - Level 2

Overcalls after a 1NT opening Kit Woolsey's convention

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Using the Woolsey convention, the main overcalls after a 1NT opening are:
  • 2 clubs (Landy convention) with the majors at least 5-4
  • 2 diamonds a suit normally with 6 cards
  • 2NT calling for the minors with preferably 6-5 (quite rare)
  • 2 or 2 with a 5 card major and a minor 4th
  • Double showing a long minor and a major of at least 4 cards

Don't forget to check who is vulnerable and that your distribution is more important than your HCP. Your honors should be concentrated in the suits signaled.
SWNE
1NT
Pass
A
Q
8
6
4
K
7
Q
7
5
Q
8
6
Problem E5477 PASS.. with your honors dispersed your hand is much too defensive to overcall .Everything would change if you had a singleton.
 
SWNE
1NT
2
7
K
Q
10
8
6
A
K
7
5
7
6
5
Problem E9189 2 COAn overcall of 2 or 2 needs a solid 5 card major and a irregular hand. Ideally you should also have a 4 or 5 cards in a minor.
 
 
2 overcall and the following bids.
  • Partner bids a major depending on his strength. If weak, he bids his weakest major, if necessary the overcaller rectifies.
  • If he wants to know the overcaller's major, he bids 2NT.: The overcaller bids 3 for and 3 for and minimum points.
  • With maximum points the overcaller bids 3 for and 3 for ! (Be careful !)

SWNE
1NT
2
4
A
Q
J
9
8
4
7
4
2
A
Q
10
Problem E9209 2 this shows a 6 card major.
 
SWNE
1NT
2
Pass
2
K
6
5
7
7
6
5
Q
7
6
5
4
3
Problem E9393 ? Pass or correct to 2 by North.
 
 
2NT signalling the minors
2NT shows a hand with 10 or so HCP and, preferably, 6-5 in the minors (the 1NT opener is more likely to have strong minors than majors...)In response to this overcall, Partner bids his best minor.
The DOUBLE : showing a long minor and a major of at least 4 cards. This overcall is much more frequent than the Landy or 2NT. See the corresponding information note.
SWNE
1NT
2NT
2
4
A
J
10
9
7
6
K
Q
10
9
8
2 NT showing a minors two-suiter at least 5-5.
 
Q
J
7
3
Q
10
6
4
5
A
K
10
8
SWNE
1NT
X
4
A
K
8
7
K
Q
10
9
8
7
6
2
Problem E5494 double With this convention, a double on a 1NT opening shows a long minor and a 4 card major.
 
 
2 Landy
This is a very efficient and economic overcall promising
  • at least 5-4 in the majors
  • and opening points
The bidding after 2 TR:
  • 2 shows a weak hand asking Partner to choose his best major
  • 3 or 3 game proposal
SWNE
1NT
2
A
J
10
8
K
10
9
8
6
2
K
9
8
Problem E1504 2 Landy : to show your major two-suiter
 
SWNE
1NT
3
4
7
6
A
Q
J
10
8
6
K
10
9
7
3 careful ! 2 is Landy promising the 2 majors . You need 5 cards to bid 2 NT (minors two-suiter)