Overcalls after a weak 2 opening

Overcalls after a weak 2 opening require either

The different overcalls are :

With a balanced hand bid a long suit or double
With a balanced hand : 2 NT it also requires ...16 to 18HCP 18H and 2 stoppers in the opening suit!

Careful!
Michael's can only be used after a 1 level opening.

S	W	N	E

Problem E1257 PASS, your hand is not strong enough for a take-out double. No Ace and you ♥ honors are worth...nothing!

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Problem E1270 2 NT The key here is to stop the ♥. The lack of ♠ stopper is not an issue, Most of the time, your partner will take care of that !

The take-out double
It requires :

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Problem E1256 DOUBLE (take-out) Almost textbook with the 3 other suits !

S	W	N	E

Problem E1253 3 ♣ Don't double with a chicane in ♦, despite your 4 cards in ♠. Bid your robust 6 carder.

Overcalling in a suit
It guarantees :

A solid suit : with at least 5 cards at the 2 level 2 (ie 2♠ after a 2♥ opening 2 ♥), and preferably 6 cards at the 3 level 3
The strength can vary considerably, depending on the vulnerabilities

S	W	N	E

Problem E4845 3 ♣ with that nice 6 carder, a balanced hand and 13HCP.

The overcall at 2NT
It is done with a hand similar to that with which you would have overcalled 1NT on a 1 level opening. It shows :

15-17HCP .. avoid it with 15 'ugly' points
And, a very good hold in the opps suit. 2 stoppers in the opps' suit are required !

Careful!
Don't forget your partner could have...zero point ! an overly light overcall may be punished with a double.