Cappelletti overcall after a 1NT opening bid

The Cappelletti convention
The Cappelletti convention is a range of overcalls by the player in 2nd or 4th seat after a 1NT opening. It's a very efficient and economic way of announcing a two-suiter or a playable one-suiter.

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Exercise 40089 A Major two suiter and 13HCP... 4-4 is OK for a 2♦ overcall showing a Major 2 suiter

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Exercise 40090 A single suiter.. Bid 2♣. Partner will relay to find out which suit you have

Cappelletti overcalls:

1 Double, is for penalty
2 2 ♣shows a one-suited hand (any suit, 5+ cards) with roughly 11-15 points.
3 2 ♦ shows at least 5-4 or 4-5 in hearts and spades, asks partner to correct to either major.
4 2♥ or 2♠ Show a two-suiter , at least 5-5 with that major and an undefined minor
5 2NT is a minor two suiter, at least 5-5.

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Exercise 40091 A nice 2 suiter with ♥ and concentrated honors.... Bid 2♥ showing ♥ and a minor 5-5 (occasionally 4-5.. but with a solid ♥ and at least 5 in minor)

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Exercise 40092 A ♠ ♦ two suiter and 14HCP... Bid 2♠

When to use a Cappelletti overcall:
The Cappelletti can be used immediately in second seat, but also as a wake-up bid in fourth seat. How many points do you need?

It depends if you are vulnerable or not
and also how strong the two suits are. It will sometimes be possible to overcall in second seat with only 7HCP but the suits must be solid and have good intermediate cards.
as a 'wake-up', in fourth seat you could have even less, but in that case you know your Partner has points!

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Exercise 40093 A minor two suiter and 11HCP. all in the minors.. Use a 2NT overcall showing a Minor 2 suiter

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Exercise 40094 Double - You have good points sitting over the opener and a safe lead.

Cappelletti overcalls: examples

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Exercise A Major two suiter and 13HCP... 4-5 is OK for a 2♦ overcall showing a Major 2 suiter

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Exercise 40095 A CO-minor two suiter... 5-5 (... sometimes 4-5, with a very nice ♥)

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Detail specifications 61EC - Level 2 ★

Cappelletti overcall after a 1NT opening bid

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