 | Simple Overcalls |
Fighting back when the opponents open.
Introduction
This article will discuss simple overcalls. A simple overcall is a suit bid after the opponents have opened the bidding that does not jump a level.
Simple overcalls are made with hands that have only one suit that looks suitable as a trump suit. If you have two suits that might be suitable, do not make a simple overcall. Refer to the article on overcalls showing two suits for more information.
There is a separate article covering responses to overcalls. We will only mention one quick point here: do not respond to an overcall as if it were an opening bid. The responses are quite different.
Here are some examples of auctions with simple overcalls:
Example 1
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | 1♠ |
East has made a simple overcall of 1♠.
Example 2
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | 2♦ |
Again, East has made a simple overcall since there has been no jump in level (East is forced to overcall at the two level because his suit is lower ranking than opener’s).
Example 3
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | Pass | Pass | 1♠ |
Now it is West who makes a simple overcall. In the first two examples, the overcall was made in direct seat (ie, immediately following the opening bid). In this example, the overcall was made in the balancing seat (ie, the last opportunity in the auction to make a bid). This article will focus on overcalls in the direct seat. Refer to the article on balancing for considerations in that position.
Example 4
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | Pass | 1♠ | ?? |
Should West overcall? West is no longer in the balancing seat, since South has made a bid. This is the most dangerous type of auction in which to overcall. It’s not so bad when South bids at the one level, since South may only have six or seven points. Example 5 shows where an overcall is usually suicidal.
The only time an overcall is likely to be useful here is to suggest a sacrifice. Your hand should have the following features:
- A long suit (at least six).
- Little or no outside strength (whatever points you have should be in your long suit). In this position, the weaker your hand, the better. Partner will be sitting after the opening bidder with his high card values.
- You should have a singleton or void in one of the opponent’s suits (ideally, the one bid on your left).
If you happen to hold a good hand in this position, pass and wait. South must have a weak hand (six or seven points), so the auction will die at a low level. You can then come in with a balancing bid if your hand looks appropriate.
Example 5
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | Pass | 2♣ | ?? |
The best advice on overcalling here is: don’t. The opponents have at least 23 points between them (or 26, if they play that the 2♣ response is forcing to game, which most experienced players do).
Overcalling to suggest a sacrifice only works if partner can accept. If he can’t, you’ll be looking at a very bad result when the opponents double you and you go down a whole lot. Either pass or take an immediate sacrifice yourself.
Reasons To Overcall
There are four reasons for making an overcall:
- To compete for the auction.
Just because the opponents have opened the bidding doesn’t necessarily mean the hand belongs to them (although they will generally assume it does). If you have a reasonable hand (10 or more high card points) plus a suitable suit, overcall to compete for the auction. - To obstruct the opponents’ auction.
Most players have good understandings about what their bids mean when the opponents do not interfere in their auctions. However, bidding becomes less accurate after the opponents have interfered. - To tell partner what to lead.
The opening lead is a key part of defence. If you have a suit that you desperately want partner to lead (assuming partner will be making the opening lead), overcall that suit so partner will know what to do. - To suggest a sacrifice.
A sacrifice bid (bidding deliberately to go down) will give you a good score if you lose fewer points than you would have if you let the opponents play the hand. Always assume you will be doubled if you sacrifice. You can afford to go down –300 if the opponents have a non–vulnerable game, and –500 if they have a vulnerable game. An overcall can let partner know that you are willing to sacrifice, but partner makes the actual sacrifice decision.
There are differences of opinion over how many of these reasons an overcall should satisfy. Some experts say you only need to satisfy one, others suggest that you should satisfy two. This is something that you and your partner need to agree on. Needing to satisfy only one will result in more exciting auctions (with more scores that are both very good and very bad). Needing to satisfy two will result in more average results (with fewer scores that are either very good or very bad). Let your partnership’s opinion and acceptance of risk guide your decision.
Many experts advocate making friskier overcalls at matchpoints than at a team game. However, at matchpoints your opponents will be more likely to double you in a part score (unlike a team game), so a frisky overcall at matchpoints can be quite expensive. One solution is to agree that a frisky overcall must satisfy two of the overcall reasons, whereas a sound overcall need only satisfy one. That will reduce your bad results, but may sometimes confuse your partner.
Overcalls At The Two Level
There are two basic requirements for a simple overcall at the two level:
- A good suit that is at least five cards in length. The suit should contain two of the top three honours, plus either the jack or the ten.
- At least one outside ace or king.
In practical terms, this means that your hand should have about 10 to 16 points for a simple overcall. When you have a stronger hand (at least 17 points and a good six card or longer suit), start with a takeout double and then bid your suit.
Here are some examples of overcalls at the two level in direct seat (immediately after the opening bid).
Example 6
Your right hand opponent has opened 1♥.
| ♠ K 7 3 ♥ 4 2 ♦ A K J 9 4 ♣ K 6 4 | This is a perfect 2♦ overcall. You have an opening bid (and therefore want to compete for the auction). You’ve achieved some obstruction; opener’s partner cannot respond 1♠ or 2♣ (although most partnerships play negative doubles, which compensate somewhat for this, but it still reduces the accuracy of their bidding). If the opponents play the hand and your partner is on lead, you would definitely like a diamond lead. Sacrificing is unlikely to come up, since the opponents are not likely to bid game when you have this strong a hand. |
Example 7
Your right hand opponent has opened 1♥.
| ♠ 8 7 3 ♥ 4 2 ♦ A K J 9 4 ♣ K 6 4 | This is still a decent 2♦ overcall. Your hand is weaker, but still worth competing. You’ve achieved the same level of obstruction. If the opponents play the hand and your partner is on lead, you still want a diamond lead. And if the opponents bid game (unlikely, but possible), your partner can sacrifice with a suitable hand. |
Example 8
Your right hand opponent has opened 1♥.
| ♠ 8 7 3 ♥ 4 2 ♦ A K J 9 4 ♣ 9 6 4 | This hand is not really good enough to overcall at the two level, and the diamond suit is not long enough for a weak jump overcall (see next example). The best bid with this hand is “pass”. |
Example 9
Your right hand opponent has opened 1♥.
| ♠ 8 7 ♥ 4 2 ♦ A K J 9 8 4 ♣ 9 6 4 | The extra diamond makes this 2♦ overcall a little less risky, but it’s still a borderline overcall at the two level. Unless the vulnerability is unfavourable, consider a weak jump overcall (3♦) instead. |
Example 10
Your right hand opponent has opened 1♥.
| ♠ A 7 ♥ K 9 ♦ Q 10 8 7 3 ♣ A J 8 | This is a rare example where a 2♦ overcall with a poor suit should work. If East hadn’t opened, you certainly would have opened this hand 1♦, so competing for the auction here is acceptable. You have also achieved some obstruction. However, you don’t expect a diamond lead from partner to be a good idea. Again, the sacrifice question is probably irrelevant since the opponents are not likely to bid game. |
Overcalls At The One Level
Any hand that is suitable for a two level overcall is automatically suitable for a one level overcall. However, the one level allows for some overcalls that should not be made at the two level. Here are some examples:
Example 11
Your right hand opponent has opened 1♣.
| ♠ J 9 8 7 3 ♥ K 9 4 ♦ A 10 6 ♣ 9 7 | A 1♠ overcall is the type of “frisky” overcall frequently made at matchpoints. It’s obstructive and suggests a sacrifice. If your partner holds spades, he can compete for the auction. The downside is that a spade lead from partner will hardly ever be right. Switch the spades and a minor suit, and an overcall would be poor. Switch the spades and the hearts, and an overcall can become quite a battle if the opponents hold spades. |
Example 12
Your right hand opponent has opened 1♣.
| ♠ A 10 6 ♥ K 9 4 ♦ J 9 8 7 3 ♣ 9 7 | A 1♦ overcall on this hand would be silly. You’re not likely to win the auction (the opponents probably have a fit in at least one major). You’re not obstructing their bidding (your left hand opponent probably didn’t want to respond 1♦). And you definitely don’t want a diamond lead from partner. Pass this hand. Maybe partner will bid diamonds on his turn. |
Example 13
Your right hand opponent has opened 1♣.
| ♠ A K Q 10 ♥ 9 7 4 ♦ J 9 ♣ K 7 4 | A 1♠ overcall has a number of good things going for it. Your hand is strong enough to compete for the auction, you’re obstructing the opponents, and a spade lead from partner would be good. The rules for overcalling a four–card suit are: the suit quality must be excellent, and your hand should be worth an opening bid. The only danger is that if the auction gets competitive, partner will raise one level too high with spade support, expecting you to have a fifth spade. With a good suit and good hand, this isn’t as much of a concern. But pass this hand without the K♣. |
At the one level, an overcall can be made with as few as eight points.