LEARNING CENTER

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

In this quiz, the opponents overcall with a natural bid on the three level, or make a 2-suited overcall. First, let's examine the situation where we've opened on the one level and they've overcalled with a natural bid of 3, 3, 3 or 3:

With 0-5, responder will pass.  Even with many 6, 7 or 8 point hands (without support or the ability to make a negative double), responder could pass.

Double is negative. This means at least 8 or 9 points and typically the other 2 suits. The focus is on the other major (if there is one). Even if our opening bid was 1NT, the double should be played as negative.

3NT=12-17 (approximate) balanced with their suit stopped

Responder can raise (as if there were no overcall) to the 3-level. This shows about 8-11 in support.

A cue-bid shows a GF raise. Example:  1 (3) 4= GF raise (better than 4).

A jump-raise to game shows a decent hand (but typically no slam interest since no cuebid).

A bid of a new suit is natural (5+ cards) and GF.

They show a 2-suiter (Michaels or Unusual NT)

A raise to the 2-level (if possible) means what it would have meant without interference. A raise to the 3-level shows support and about 8-11 points. A raise to game shows a bit more. Double is penalty-oriented.

This is a tough area. Experienced partnerships will want to discuss what it means if you bid one of the opponents' know suits. For more science, click here.