LEARNING CENTER

In this series of 7 Quizzes (this is the fifth) our partner opens on the one level and the opponents overcall or Double.

In this quiz, the opponents make a 1NT overcall.  That means our partner opened either 1, 1 or 1 or 1.

With 0-5, responder will pass.  Even with many 6, 7 or 8 point hands (without support or his own suit), responder will usually pass.

Responder can raise (as if there were no overcall) to the 2-level. This would show the same thing as if RHO passed. So, 1 (1NT) 2 is still 6-10 in support and 3+ trumps. If vulnerable, with poor trumps and near the bottom of the range, responder might choose to pass as a safer course of action.

Double is penalty-oriented. This is NOT a negative double. Typically, the doubler will have at least 9 points and reasonable defensive prospects. (Opener will rarely pull this double.)

A bid of a new suit is natural and NF (at least a decent 6-card suit). Logically, it is NF--since responder could start with a penalty double holding a good hand.

Three-level bids are preemptive (at least a decent 7-card suit).

A three-level raise is preemptive.

For advanced players: Since 2NT is not needed as natural (you would penalty double with such a hand), it is used to show a limit-raise or better (artificial and alertable).