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Detail specifications 43VA - Level 2

Responder after a Cappelletti overcall

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You will use a variant of Rubensohl convention in response to your partner's 1 NT opening, but, after a Cappelletti overcall, there are some modifications. Here is the approach we propose.
After a Two suiter overcall (2, 2 , 2 or 2NT)
  • any level 2 bid is natural
  • Above 2 NT any bid is a Jacoby transfer. 2 NT is artificial (Jacoby for )
  • An impossible transfer becomes a Stayman
  • A double is a take-out double : it could be a Stayman with 8 HCP, or show a balanced hand with 8 HCP or more.

  • After a double
    • bid as if there had not been an overcall

    • After a 2 overcall (one suiter)
      • bid as if there had not been an overcall and use Double for Stayman

 
After a 2-suiter overcall (2, 2, 2, 2NT)
  • Bidding a suit at level 2 is natural and non forcing : the responder holds a maximum of 7 HCP
  • Doubling is not punitive : A double requires a minimum of 7-8 HCP and most of the time shows a hand with which the responder would have bid 2 NT (with no overcall). Doubling is asking the opener to name a 4 carder or a 5 carder, or 2 NT if he's got stoppers in the overcalled suit. The opener may also pass and the double becomes punitive ! With only 8 HCP, the responder can also use a double as a Stayman. In this case, it is not game forcing.
 
Jacoby
Above 2 NT, any bid is a Jacoby transfer. An impossible Jacoby (for the opp's known suit), is a Stayman : that's a forcing bid requiring at least 8 HCP and a 4 card major...
  • 1 SA - 2 (or 2 or 2 ) - 2 SA : 2 SA Jacoby for (6 cards)
  • 1 SA - 2 (or 2 ) - 3 : 3 Jacoby for (6 cards)
  • 1 SA - 2 ( or 2 or 2 ) - 3 : 3 Jacoby for
  • 1 SA - 2 ( or 2 or 2 ) - 3 : 3 Jacoby for
  • 1 SA - 2 - 3 : 3 looks like an impossible Jacoby, the responder can't be willing to play 3 : this is a Stayman for : game forcing. If the responder didn't want to go to game, he would have doubled .