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Detail specifications 31DA - Level 1 ★

Overcalls after a weak 2 opening

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Overcalls after a weak 2 opening require either
  • A good 3-suiter hand
  • a strong and robust suit
  • a hand rich in HCP

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.
SWNE
2
Pass
K
9
7
4
Q
J
K
7
6
K
8
4
2
Problem E1257 PASS, your hand is not strong enough for a take-out double. No Ace and you ♥ honors are worth...nothing!
 
SWNE
2
2NT
9
4
K
Q
9
J
10
4
A
K
Q
10
9
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 :
  • a 3-suiter
  • honors in the suits called for by the double !
SWNE
2
X
A
K
10
7
4
2
K
8
7
6
A
10
4
Problem E1256 DOUBLE (take-out) Almost textbook with the 3 other suits !
 
SWNE
2
3
K
10
7
4
7
6
2
A
K
Q
10
8
6
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
SWNE
2
3
9
8
7
A
K
J
K
Q
10
7
6
4
9
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.
 
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