After the Opponents Overcall
What happens after partner opens the bidding and the opponents overcall?
Let's start on the 1-level.
The opponents overcall partner's 1-level opening bid with a suit bid.
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
1(something) |
1(something) |
? |
If partner opens 1-of-a-suit and the opponents overcall in a suit:
>New suits by responder are forcing one round (if on the 2-level, 10+ points).
Example: 1
(1
) 1
= forcing one round (+ points)
1 (1) 2
= forcing one round and 10+ points
>New suits by responder promise 5 or more cards, except when the opponents overcall 1 with 1 and we respond 1 or 1.
Example: 1 (1) 1 MAJ = 4+ in that major
1 (1) 1 = 5 or more spades and 1 (1) 2 = 5 or more clubs.
>New suits by responder on the 3-level (not a jump, though) are GF. Example: 1 (2) 3 = 5+, GF
>New suit jumps by responder require partnership agreement (fit-showing is possible, but most players would likely play this as a weak jump in competition). Example: 1 (1) 3
>Single raises are natural and mean what they would have meant without the interference. If forced to raise to the 3-level, it shows a little extra. Example: 1 (2) 3 = 3+ and 8-10 in support (approximate)
>Cue-bidding the opponent's suit shows a limit-raise or better. Example: 1 (2) 3
>Jump raises are preemptive (assuming modern style). Example: 1 (2) 3
>Notrump bids are natural (1NT=6-10, 2NT=11-12, 3NT=13-15) with a stopper in their suit (and balanced).
Example: 1 (1) 1NT=6-10 with spades stopped
More examples:
| OPENER |
Opponent |
RESPONDER |
MEANING |
| 1
|
1
|
1 MAJ |
4+ cards 6+ points |
| 1
|
1
|
1
|
5+spades, 6+ points |
| 1
|
1
|
2
|
5+ 10+points |
| 1
|
2
|
3
|
5+ GF |
| 1
|
1
|
2
|
Partnership agreement |
| 1
|
1
|
2
|
4+, Limit Raise+ |
| 1
|
1
|
2NT |
11-12 balanced NF, stopper |
| 1
|
1
|
3NT |
13-15 balanced, stopper |
| 1
|
2
|
3
|
4, weakish (0-7) |
| 1
|
2
|
3
|
3+, Inv+ |
Doubles are negative. You can read more about negative doubles here.
The opponents overcall with 1NT:
If they overcall 1NT, assuming no conventions, a double is penalty, and a new suit bid is natural, NF
Examples:
| West |
North |
East |
MEANING |
1
|
1NT |
Double |
Penalty |
1
|
1NT |
3
|
Preemptive |
| 1
|
1NT |
2
|
6+, NF |
The opponents overcall with a Michaels Cue-bid:
Details on this topic are covered here.
The opponents overcall with preempt:
A new suit by responder is forcing for one round on the 2-level. If responder bids a new suit on the 3-level, it is game forcing.
The opponents overcall our preempts:
Doubles are penalty. Raises are competitive/further preempting--not inviting.
For example:
| West |
North |
East |
MEANING |
| 2
|
2
|
Double |
PENALTY |
| 2
|
3
|
3
|
NOT INVITING 4
|
updated: Dec, 2020
