Overcalls

         An overcall is a bid you make after the opponents have opened. For a suit overcall, the most important requirement is that you have a good suit. Points are secondary: with a good suit, you may overcall with as few as 8 points.

         The 1-level Overcall.      A 1-level overcall can be made with very few points, but it shows a good suit.

With a stronger hand, it is acceptable to have a weaker suit.
        EXAMPLE:     If your opponent opens 1, you should say 1 with:

KQ853     K6     832     T64

         The 2-level Overcall (Non-jump).      An overcall at the 2-level requires a better hand and a better suit.

With a strong hand, you may overcall with a slightly weaker suit.
         EXAMPLE:    If your opponent opens 1, you should say 2 with:

8     K64     542     AQ8764

         The Weak Jump Overcall.      A jump-overcall is weak (similar to a preemptive opening):

(1) — 2:     6 spades and less than opening strength.   3: 7 spades and less than opening strength.   4: 8 spades and less than opening strength.

        EXAMPLE:     If your opponent opens 1, you should say 2 with:

AQ9542     53     K63     97

         The 1NT Overcall.      A 1NT overcall is similar to a 1NT opening:

After you overcall 1NT, your partner should use Stayman (2) and Jacoby transfers (2 and 2) to describe their hand.

        NOTE:     A stopper is a holding in a suit which makes it unlikely that the opponents will be able to run the suit immediately. For example:

are all stoppers.

         Very Strong Hands.      Some hands are too strong for a simple overcall. With 16 or more points, you should begin with a strong double.

Further Contents:

• The Takeout Double
• The Strong Double
• Unusual 2NT and The Michaels Cuebid