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Responding to Partners overcall
After one of your bridge opponents opens the bidding and your partner overcalls, you need
to respond to the overcall if at all possible. You know that your partner has at least a five card or if at the
2 or higher level a six card suit. The strength of your hand plus the number of cards you hold in your partner’s
suit decides what you respond.
Responding to Partners Overcall
It is important to bid if you possibly can so as to make life difficult for your opponents.
The principle is the same for the overcaller’s partner as it is for the overcaller.
It is the trump suit that matters.
A big difference between opening and overcalling is that your partner has shown a 5-card suit, so you need only as few as 3 trumps in support.
The principle is the same for the overcaller’s partner as it is for the overcaller.
It is the trump suit that matters.
A big difference between opening and overcalling is that your partner has shown a 5-card suit, so you need only as few as 3 trumps in support.
- 2NT - In response to a 2-level jump overcall, 2NT is artificial and forcing with 10+ points and game interest
- 6-9 TP and a fit raise partner's overcall 1 Level, pre-emptive. Partner should pass
- 10-12 TP and a fit in partner's suit jump the bidding 2 Levels, Double raise is natural and is a sign-off. You should be strong, supporting partners pre-empt
- Bidding a new suit, this is natural and non-forcing. Usually denying 2+ card support
The bidding was opened by the opposition 1♦. Your partner
overcalls 1♠ and the opener's partner passes
With this hand what is your bid?
- ♠ 9 7 3
- ♥ 9 6 4 2
- ♦ Q J 4
- ♣ K 3 2
You have 6 points and 3 card support for your partner's suit, bid 2♠
this bid pushes the bidding up a level and the opposition now have to bid at the 3-level to
participate.
If you had 10 or more points and with the same distribution you should jump your bid 1 level and bid 3♠
If you had 10 or more points and with the same distribution you should jump your bid 1 level and bid 3♠