BB2 Chap 2

As many as ten factors may
influence a player’s decision to

overcall. In roughly descending
order of importance, they are:
• Suit length
• Strength
• Vulnerability
• Level
• Suit Quality
• Obstruction
• Opponents’ skill
• Holding in opponent’s suit
• Opponents’ vulnerability
• Opponents’ methods
—HENRY FRANCIS (EDITOR-IN-CHIEF),
THE OFFICIAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BRIDGE

2
Overcalls
and Advances
When both partnerships are bidding for the privilege of naming the
trump suit or notrump, it is referred to as a competitive auction. One
way to compete after the opponents open the bidding is to make a
bid over an opponent’s bid. This is referred to as an overcall.
An overcall and an opening bid have some similarities. You’re
making the first bid in the auction for your side and are trying to
exchange enough information to choose the best contract. However,
once both partnerships are competing for the privilege of naming
the trump suit or notrump, the priorities for both sides can change.
Let’s take a closer look.
43
Bridge Basics 2 — Competitive Bidding
The Simple Overcall
East opens the bidding 1♦. What should South do?
NORTH
WEST EAST 1♦ Opener
SOUTH
♠ 84
Overcaller ♥ A K Q 10 9
♦ 10 5 2
♣ A65
With 13 high-card points plus 1 length point for the five-card

heart suit, South would have opened the bidding 1♥ if East had
passed. South can still suggest hearts as a trump suit by making a
1♥ overcall.
Overcalling at the cheapest available level is a simple overcall.
Here, South is making a simple overcall at the one level.
One difference between an overcall and an opening bid is that
you can’t always make an overcall at the one level. Suppose East
had opened 1♠ instead of 1♦.
NORTH
WEST EAST 1♠ Opener
SOUTH
♠ 84
Overcaller ♥ A K Q 10 9
♦ 10 5 2
♣ A65
To suggest hearts as the trump suit, South would have to bid 2♥,
a simple overcall at the two level.
44
Overcalls and Advances
Advantages and Risks of an Overcall
In competitive auctions, the goals change and this affects the re-
quirements for making a bid. Consider South’s call with this hand
after East opens 1♣.
NORTH
WEST EAST 1♣ Opener
SOUTH
♠ A Q J 10 8
Overcaller ♥ 10 7 2
♦ Q 10 5
♣ 93
South would not open 1♠ with only 9 high-card points plus 1

length point for the five-card spade suit, but there are advantages
to overcalling 1♠ with this hand:
• South wants to compete for the contract and prefers spades
as trumps.
• A 1♠ overcall could interfere with the opponents’ auction. Left
to their own devices, the opponents usually settle into their
best contract. The 1♠ overcall takes away room on the Bidding
Ladder. For example, West can no longer respond 1♦ or 1♥.
This may make it more difficult for the opponents to find their
best trump fit and to stop at a comfortable level.
• If East-West win the auction, North-South will be defending.
By overcalling 1♠, South may help the partnership find the best
defense. If North has to make the opening lead, for example,
South has suggested the spade suit.
45
There are also risks in overcalling:

• By overcalling, South gives information about the hand to the
opponents as well as partner. This might help declarer make
better decisions during the play if East-West win the auction.
• If South can’t make 1♠, East-West will score points for defeating
the contract. East has announced at least 13 points and West
is in a good position to judge whether to bid higher or choose
to defend and try to defeat the 1♠ contract. East-West could
also double for penalties to increase the bonus the partnership
receives if North-South can’t make the contract.
Still, the advantages of overcalling tend to outweigh the risks,
especially at the one level.
Guidelines for an Overcall

The guidelines for making an overcall try to balance the advantages
and the risks. Here are some considerations10:
SUIT QUALITY
The longer and stronger your suit, the safer it is to overcall since
you are less likely to be defeated by several tricks. Ideally, an overcall
shows at least a five-card suit. If the suit is only five cards in length, it’s
safer to have two of the top three or three of the top five honors.
HAND VALUATION
When considering an overcall, the hand is valued the same way as
for opening the bidding. Count high-card points—ace, 4; king, 3;
queen, 2; jack, 1—and length points—1 point for a five-card suit;
2 points for a six-card suit; and so on.
LEVEL
The risk of overcalling at the one level is minimal compared to the
advantages so, with a good suit, an overcall can be made with less
10
Vulnerability is another consideration. You should be more cautious overcalling when vulner-
able since the size of the penalty for being defeated is increased.
46
than the values for an opening bid. An overcall at the two level or
higher, however, carries greater risk, so it tends to show a good suit
and strength at least equivalent to that for opening the bidding.
The guidelines for making an overcall in a suit are:
The Overcall
Distribution: • A good five-card suit or a six-card or
longer suit.
Strength: • 7 to 1711 high-card points at the one
level.
• 13 to 17 points at the two level or
higher.
Examples
The following hands are suitable for an overcall by South after East
opens 1♦.
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ A Q 10 8 7 5
Overcaller ♥ AJ4
♦ 95
♣ K7
1♠. This is a very sound one-level overcall with 14 high-card points

plus 2 length points for the six-card spade suit. South would open
1♠ as dealer. The overcall gets North-South into the auction.
11
The upper range for an overcall is lower than that for the opening bid, about 17 points
instead of 21. Occasionally, you have a good suit and a hand with 18 or more points. You would
be disappointed if partner passed your overcall, so you prefer to make a stronger bid. This is
discussed in Chapter 3.
47
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ Q J 10 9 8
Overcaller ♥ 84
♦ 53
♣ A964
1♠. This is a minimum one-level overcall. There are only 7 high-
card points and South would not open this hand. Still, there is a
good five-card suit with three of the top five honors. South would
take at least three spade tricks and the ♣A even if North has noth-
ing. The risk in overcalling at the one level is minimal and South
would like to compete, to interfere with the opponents, and to
suggest a lead.
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ A8
Overcaller ♥ K 10 8 7 4 3
♦ 10 6 2
♣ Q4
1♥. Although the hand is too weak to open the bidding if South
were the dealer, there is enough strength for a one-level overcall.
The sixth card in hearts makes up for not having three of the top
five honors.
48
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ AJ986
Overcaller ♥ 5
♦ J5
♣ KQ873
1♠. With two five-card suits, South overcalls the higher-ranking,
the same choice as when opening the bidding. Although the spade
suit does not have three of the top five honors, the second five-card
suit provides compensation.
Simple overcalls at the two level or higher13 require a good suit
and approximately the values for an opening bid or more. Here are
hands suitable for a two-level overcall.
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ 64
Overcaller ♥ 10 3
♦ K82
♣ AKQ963
2♣. To overcall at the two level, South needs a good suit and about
the same strength as for an opening bid. With 12 high-card points
plus 2 length points for the six-card suit, this hand is strong enough
to make a two-level overcall.
See Practice Deal #30 for an example of an overcall at the three level.
13
49
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ 64
Overcaller ♥ A Q 10 8 3
♦ AKJ82
♣ 3
2♥. This is a good hand with enough strength to overcall at the

two level. With a choice of suits to overcall, South chooses the
higher-ranking.
Here are examples of hands for South that are unsuitable for
making an overcall after East opens 1♥.
NORTH
WEST EAST 1♥ Opener
SOUTH
♠ J7632
Overcaller ♥ Q84
♦ KJ3
♣ 52
Pass. South has a five-card suit but, with a weak hand and a weak
suit, there is little to be gained by overcalling. The risk of being
defeated several tricks is substantial.
50
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ QJ5
Overcaller ♥ AJ984
♦ K3
♣ Q52
Pass. East picked the suit South likes best. South doesn’t want to
contest the auction in the same suit as East. Since South would be
pleased to defend with hearts as trumps, there’s no need to bid.
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ A76
Overcaller ♥ KJ5
♦ Q76
♣ QJ65
Pass. There is no five-card or longer suit to overcall. Even though

South would open 1♣ with this hand, it’s not necessary to overcall
when an opponent opens the bidding. Passing can be a difficult call
with 13 or more points, but it’s a better choice than overcalling a
weak four-card suit at the two level.
51
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ 85
Overcaller ♥ J74
♦ Q82
♣ A Q 10 7 5
Pass. There is a reasonable five-card suit, but the hand isn’t strong
enough for a two-level overcall.
Making an Overcall After Both Opponents Have Bid
The overcall can be used after both opponents have bid. For ex-
ample, suppose West opens 1♣, North passes, and East responds
1♥. It’s South’s call.
Pass
NORTH
Opener 1♣ WEST EAST 1♥ Responder
SOUTH
♠ KQJ97
Overcaller ♥ 62
♦ 754
♣ A86
1♠. Now is the time to enter the auction. South has a good five-card
suit and 10 high-card points. Although both opponents have bid,
North-South may still be able to make a contract. South doesn’t
want to leave the auction entirely to the opponents.
52
In this next example, West opens 1♠, North passes, and East
raises to 2♠.
Pass
NORTH
Opener 1♠ WEST EAST 2♠ Responder
SOUTH
♠ 73
Overcaller ♥ 10 4
♦ AQ9
♣ A K J 10 8 6
3♣. It’s risky to come into the auction at the three level but, with
a good six-card suit and a good hand, it’s worth the chance. South
doesn’t want to let the opponents rest at a comfortable level in their
chosen trump suit. Maybe South’s 3♣ overcall will push East-West
higher than they would like to be, or buy the contract.
53
Advancing a Simple Overcall
The partner of the opening bidder is the responder. The partner of

the overcaller is referred to as the advancer.
Overcaller
1♠
NORTH
Opener 1♥ WEST EAST 2♥ Responder
SOUTH
Advancer ?
The different names are a reminder that the guidelines for an
overcall are not identical to those for an opening bid. Consequently,
the guidelines for advancing an overcall are not the same as those
for responding to an opening bid. Fortunately, there are good rea-
sons for the differences.
Advancer’s Priority – Supporting Partner’s Suit

An overcall, in either a major or a minor suit, shows a good five-
card or longer suit and is a strong suggestion that this be the trump
suit. Advancer’s priority, therefore, is to show support with three or
more cards in the suit. With support, advancer can value the hand
using dummy points: void – 5; singleton – 3; doubleton – 1.
In a competitive auction, the purpose of raising partner’s suit is
two-fold:
• To try to reach your best contract. If your side has the majority
of the strength you want to explore the possibility of game.
• To prevent the opponents from getting to their best contract. If
your side doesn’t have the majority of strength, the opponents
are likely to win the auction and could get a game or even a
slam. You want to bid to try to make it difficult for them to
54
find their best contract. By taking away room on the Bidding

Ladder, the opponents may misjudge and bid too much or too
little. It may be worthwhile to deliberately overbid—bid more
than you think you can make. The advantage is that the penalty
the opponents receive for defeating your contract may be less
than their score for bidding and making their own contract.
SUPPORTING WITH MINIMUM VALUES

With three-card support for partner’s overcalled suit and about 6–9
points, advancer can make a single—non-jump—raise. However,
with a hand suitable for preemptive action—an unbalanced hand
with four-card or longer support—advancer can make a jump raise
to try to take bidding room away from the opponents.
As a guideline in competitive auctions, it is usually safe to raise
to the level of the combined trumps held by the partnership13. For
example: if the partnership has eight combined trumps, compete
to the two level—eight tricks; if the partnership has nine combined
trumps, compete to the three level—nine tricks; if the partnership
has ten combined trumps, compete to the four level—ten tricks.
Since the overcaller promises at least a five-card suit, advancer
can apply this concept to help decide HOW HIGH to raise a one-level
overcall with fewer than 10 points:
Advancing a One-Level Overcall

with Support and 6-9 Points
• 3-card support Raise to the two level.
• 4-card support Raise to the three level.
• 5-card support Raise to the game level.
13
This is based on The Law of Total Tricks, a theory popularized by Larry Cohen.
55
The jump raise to the three level or higher is referred to as a

preemptive jump raise. With fewer than 6 points, advancer can
simply pass14.
The above chart is a guideline and advancer can exercise judg-
ment. For example, advancer could choose to raise only to the two
level with four-card support if the hand is balanced, the high cards
are not in the trump suit, or the partnership is vulnerable.
Here are examples of advancing an overcall with support and
about 6-9 points. West opens 1♥, North overcalls 1♠, and East
raises to 2♥. It’s South’s call.
Overcaller
1♠
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ K82
Advancer ♥ 62
♦ K7543
♣ 962
2♠. With three-card support for overcaller’s spade suit and 7

points—6 high-card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton
heart—South raises to the two level. South would bid 2♠ whether
or not East passes.
6–9 points is only a guideline. Some players will make a preemptive raise with fewer than 6
14
points.
56
Overcaller
1♠
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ QJ85
Advancer ♥ 3
♦ Q7543
♣ 962
3♠. With four-card support for overcaller’s spade suit and 8
points—5 high-card points plus 3 dummy points for the singleton
heart—South makes a preemptive jump raise to the three level. If
North has a minimum overcall and is defeated in this contract, it is
likely that East-West can make a game contract and North-South
have made a good sacrifice.
Overcaller
1♠
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ J 10 8 7 5
Advancer ♥ —
♦ 10 9 6 4 3
♣ 752
4♠. It may seem strange to jump to game with only a jack, but that’s
the recommended strategy for advancer with this type of hand. The
hand is worth 6 points: 1 high-card point plus 5 dummy points for
57
the heart void. North is unlikely to make 4♠, but it is very probable
that East-West can make at least a game and maybe a slam.
For a two-level overcall, partner usually has the equivalent of an
opening bid or better. There is less bidding room for the advancer
but the options with 6-9 points are similar to those after a one-level
overcall: a single raise shows three-card or longer support; a jump
raise is preemptive showing four-card or longer support.
For example, West opens 1♠, North overcalls 2♥, and East raises
to 2♠. It’s South’s call as advancer.
Overcaller
2♥
NORTH
Opener 1♠ WEST EAST 2♠ Responder
SOUTH
♠ 86
Advancer ♥ QJ4
♦ K875
♣ Q 10 7 4
3♥. With 8 high-card points and three-card support for partner’s

heart suit, South has enough to raise, even though that will get the
partnership to the three level. North has shown approximately the
values for an opening bid or better by overcalling at the two level,
so South wants to compete for the contract in the partnership’s
trump suit.
58
RAISING WITH 10+ POINTS–THE CUEBID

The situation is different when advancer has support and about 10
or more points. Your partnership could expect to make at least a
partscore and maybe a game if partner has more than a minimum
overcall. Rather than making it difficult for the opponents to reach
their best spot, you’re trying to reach your best contract.
A jump raise would describe a preemptive hand with 6-9 points
and four-card support and might get the partnership too high. The
solution is to make use of a bid that is available only in a competitive
auction, the cuebid—a bid of the opponents’ suit. For example,
suppose West opens the bidding 1♦, North overcalls 1♠, and East
passes. A bid of 2♦ by advancer, South, would be a cuebid.
Overcaller
1♠
NORTH
Opener 1♦ WEST EAST Pass Responder
SOUTH
Advancer 2♦
South’s 2♦ bid is unlikely to be of much use in a natural sense.

South would rarely want to play with diamonds as trumps once the
opponents have bid diamonds. It is more practical to use a bid of
the opponents’ suit for other purposes. The cuebid becomes the tool
for advancer to show a hand with support and interest in reaching
a game contract, about 10 or more points.
Advancing an Overcall
with Support and 10+ Points
Cuebid the opponents’ suit,
showing interest in reaching game.
59
The cuebid is forcing and the overcaller is expected to bid again

if the opener passes. With a minimum, North, the overcaller, simply
rebids the suit at the cheapest level. With more than a minimum,
North makes some other descriptive bid such as a new suit or a
jump in the overcalled suit. Advancer can then decide whether to
stop in partscore or go for the game bonus.
Here are examples of South advancing an overcall with support
and 10+ points after West opens 1♦, North overcalls 1♠, and East
passes.
Overcaller
1♠
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ A75
Advancer ♥ K93
♦ 875
♣ KJ72
2♦. With three-card support for spades and 11 high-card points,

South is too strong for a simple raise to 2♠. By starting with a 2♦
cuebid of the opponents’ suit, South shows interest in reaching
game. If North rebids 2♠, showing no extra strength, South will
pass and the partnership rests in partscore at the two level.
60
Overcaller
1♠
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ KJ84
Advancer ♥ K3
♦ A862
♣ Q 10 7
2♦. With four-card support for overcaller’s suit and 14 points—13
high-card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton heart—
South shows interest in reaching game by starting with a 2♦ cuebid.
If North rebids 2♠, South can make a further try by raising to 3♠.
The partnership can still stop short of game if North has a bare
minimum overcall of about 7-10 points.
Overcaller
1♠
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ Q 10 8 5
Advancer ♥ 5
♦ A 10 8 5
♣ AKJ6
2♦. With four-card spade support and 14 high-card points plus 3
dummy points for the singleton heart, South starts with a cuebid.
Even if North makes a minimum rebid of 2♠, South has enough
to jump to 4♠. Why not jump to 4♠ right away? That would be a
preemptive raise, showing a weak hand.
61
Advancer’s Second Choice – A New Suit
Without support for overcaller’s suit, advancer can consider bidding

a new suit. Since the overcall has already suggested a good five-card
or longer suit as the trump suit for the partnership, advancer should
introduce another suit only if it is likely to be an improvement.
Advancer can use the following guideline:
Guidelines for Advancing

in a New Suit
• A good five-card suit or a six-card or longer suit.
• 6 or more points at the one level;
• 11 or more points at the two level.
A new suit response to an opening bid is forcing. An advance in

a new suit is not forcing15 since an overcall can be made with less
than the values for an opening bid. The partnership doesn’t want
to get too high in a competitive auction when there isn’t a good
trump fit.
Here are examples of a new suit advance by South after West
opens 1♣, North overcalls 1♥, and East passes.
15
Some partnerships prefer a new suit advance to be forcing. Also, after a two-level or higher
overcall, most partnerships would treat a new suit by advancer as forcing.
62
Overcaller
1♥
NORTH
Opener 1♣ WEST EAST Pass Responder
SOUTH
♠ A Q J 10 7
Advancer ♥ 52
♦ Q854
♣ 10 7
1♠. South doesn’t have support for North’s hearts but does have
sufficient strength and a good enough suit to suggest spades at the
one level. With a minimum overcall, North can pass South’s change
of suit to avoid getting too high16.
Overcaller
1♥
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ K8
Advancer ♥ J2
♦ AQJ854
♣ 983
2♦. With 11 high-card points plus 2 length points for the six-card
suit, South has enough to bid a new suit at the two level. North
may pass with a minimum overcall but that should be fine. The
partnership will be high enough.
16
With a very strong hand where you would be disappointed if partner were to pass an advance
in a new suit, you can start with a cuebid and then bid your suit.
63
Advancer’s Third Choice – Notrump
With a balanced hand and some strength in the opponents’ suit,

advancer can bid notrump. For example:
Overcaller
1♠
NORTH
Opener 1♥ WEST EAST Pass Responder
SOUTH
♠ 83
Advancer
♥ A J 10 8
♦ Q754
♣ Q 10 8
1NT. South doesn’t have support for North’s spades but does have
9 high-card points and some length and strength in hearts. South
can suggest playing in notrump.
An advance of 1NT shows about 6–10 points; an advance of 2NT
shows about 11–12 points. With 13 or more points, advancer will
usually start with a cuebid.
64
Passing as Advancer
Advancer doesn’t have to bid with no fit for partner’s overcalled suit
and no good suit to show.
Overcaller
1♥
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ K862
Advancer ♥ 9
♦ QJ754
♣ 832
Pass. South has enough to respond if North had opened the bid-
ding, But it’s unlikely there is enough combined strength for game
and any attempt to “improve” the contract may get the partnership
further into trouble.
Rebids by the Overcaller

If advancer raises the overcalled suit, bids a new suit, or bids
notrump, it’s not forcing. The overcaller does not have to bid again.
The overcaller can bid again with extra length in the overcalled suit
or with a second suit to show. With extra values, the overcaller can
move toward game or bid game.
If advancer cuebids, the overcaller must bid again. With nothing
extra, the overcaller simply rebids the suit at the cheapest level.
With more than minimum values, the overcaller can bid a new suit,
jump in the overcalled suit, or bid notrump.
65
Rebids by the Overcaller after a Minimum Raise
The overcaller will usually pass advancer’s simple raise. However,

the overcaller may bid again with extra strength if it is possible
there could be enough combined strength for game or if the op-
ponents are also competing for the contract. For example, suppose
you are West:
NORTH
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1♥ WEST EAST
1♠ PASS 2♠ PASS SOUTH

?
♠ A Q 10 9 5 Pass. There isn’t enough combined strength
♥ 854 for West to consider going for the game bonus
♦ K96 level. West has 11 points—10 high-card points
♣ J5 plus 1 length point for the five-card suit— and
East’s raise is showing about 6-9 points.
♠ A K 10 7 5 3 3♠. This is a strong overcall and there may be

♥ Q5 enough combined strength for game. If East
♦ AQ6 has 8 or 9 points, East could bid 4♠. With 6
♣ 94 or 7 points, East can decline the invitation
by passing.
In this next example, North-South compete to the three level

in hearts:
NORTH
1♥ WEST EAST
1♠ 2♥ 2♠ 3♥ SOUTH
?
♠ A K J 10 5 3 3♠. West has a choice of passing and defend-

♥ 65 ing against 3♥ or competing further. With a
♦ A96 good six-card suit, competing to the three level
♣ 94 seems reasonable.
66
Rebids by the Overcaller after a New Suit Advance
Advancer’s new suit response is invitational but not forcing. With a

minimum overcall, you can pass. With extra strength or distribution,
you can bid again.
NORTH
1♦ WEST EAST
1♥ PASS 1♠ PASS
SOUTH
?
♠ J42 Pass. East’s new suit advance isn’t forcing. East

♥ K Q 10 9 5 hasn’t shown support for hearts and, with a
♦ 96 minimum overcall, West passes and leaves the
♣ Q82 partnership to play partscore in spades.
♠ 3 2♥. West doesn’t have to bid again but, with

♥ AQJ975 a good six-card suit, wants to repeat the sug-
♦ 10 5 3 gestion that the partnership play with hearts
♣ A42 as the trump suit.
In this next example, opener bids again over East’s advance.

NORTH
1♦ WEST EAST
1♥ PASS 1♠ 2♦
SOUTH
?
♠ A 10 4 2♠. East didn’t support West’s hearts but West

♥ A J 10 7 5 has support for East’s spades. With more than
♦ 54 a minimum overcall, West can compete further
♣ K85 by raising spades.
67
Rebids by the Overcaller after a Notrump Advance
Advancer’s response in notrump is not forcing. With a minimum

hand, overcaller can pass. With extra strength or distribution,
overcaller bids again.
NORTH
1♣ WEST EAST
1♠ PASS 1NT PASS

SOUTH
?
♠ K J 10 8 5 Pass. East didn’t support West’s spades and

♥ A93 West has a minimum overcall. A partscore in
♦ J63 notrump looks like the best spot.
♣ 74
♠ A Q 10 5 2 2♦. East didn’t support spades, the first sug-

♥ 63 gested suit. With an unbalanced hand unsuit-
♦ K J 10 7 5 able for notrump, West shows the second suit.
♣ 8 East might prefer diamonds to spades.
Overcaller’s Rebid after a Cuebid
Advancer’s cuebid is forcing, showing interest in reaching game

and asking for more information about the overcaller’s hand. With
a minimum, the overcaller rebids as cheaply as possible.
NORTH
1♥ WEST EAST
1♠ PASS 2♥ PASS
SOUTH
?
♠ KQJ83 2♠. With nothing extra for the overcall, West

♥ J95 rebids spades as cheaply as possible after
♦ Q72 East’s cuebid, even though it is only a five-
♣ 94 card suit.
68
With a medium-strength hand, the overcaller makes a forward-

going bid: a new suit or a jump in the original suit.
NORTH
1♣ WEST EAST
1♥ PASS 2♣ PASS
SOUTH
?
♠ 83 2♦. West has a sound one-level overcall and

♥ AKJ95 interest in reaching game after advancer shows
♦ KQ72 a good hand. West describes the hand further
♣ 94 by showing the second suit.
With a maximum-strength hand, the overcaller takes the part-

nership to game.
NORTH
1♦ WEST EAST
1♠ PASS 2♦ PASS
SOUTH
?
♠ A K J 10 8 7 4 4♠. Since advancer has about 10 or more

♥ 83 points and interest in reaching game, West
♦ 6 is willing to go for the game bonus after the
♣ AQ9 cuebid.
69
The Notrump Overcall
Consider South’s call with this hand after East opens 1♥:
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ 73
Overcaller ♥ A Q 10
♦ A742
♣ K Q J 10
1NT. South would have opened 1NT if East had passed. An overcall
of 1NT is similar to an opening bid of 1NT. It shows a balanced
hand of about 15-17 points17.
The only consideration is that East’s 1♥ opening showed a five-
card or longer suit and West is likely to lead a heart against South’s
notrump contract. So, South should have some strength in the op-
ponents’ suit to overcall 1NT.
17
Since there is more risk in overcalling 1NT after an opponent has shown strength by opening
the bidding, the range for a 1NT overcall is actually about 15-18 points. See Practice Deal #26
for an example of a 1NT overcall.
70
Since the 1NT overcall is similar to an opening bid of 1NT, ad-

vancer can bid in the same manner as responding to a 1NT opening
bid. For example, suppose West opens 1♦, North overcalls 1NT,
East passes, and it’s South’s call.
Overcaller
1NT
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ J5
Advancer
♥ K93
♦ J74
♣ AJ873
3NT. South has 10 high-card points plus 1 length point for the
five-card suit. That’s enough to take the partnership to game op-
posite North’s 1NT overcall since the partnership has at least 26
combined points.
71
The Weak Jump Overcall
A jump overcall—bidding one or more levels higher than neces-

sary—is similar to a preemptive opening bid. It shows a weak hand
with a long suit18. Consider South’s call with this hand after East opens
1♦:
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ 6
Overcaller ♥ A Q J 10 8 7
♦ 874
♣ 863
2♥. With a good six-card suit but a hand too weak to open at the
one level, South would have opened 2♥, a weak two-bid, if East
had passed. So, instead of making a simple overcall of 1♥, South
can make a preemptive jump overcall of 2♥.
Like the weak two-bid, the advantage of the weak jump overcall
is that it takes up room on the Bidding Ladder, making it more
challenging for the opponents to find their best contract19. Since
there is the risk of being doubled for penalty, the hand should be
worth about five or six playing tricks.
18
Some partnerships use a jump overcall to show a hand too strong for a simple overcall, but
the popular modern style is to use weak jump overcalls.
19
See Practice Deals #27 and #28 for examples of the effect of a weak jump overcall.
72
With a seven-card suit, a weak jump overcall can be made at the

three level, similar to a three-level preemptive opening bid. For
example, consider South’s call with this hand after East opens 1♠.
NORTH
SOUTH
♠ 6
Overcaller ♥ 962
♦ K Q J 10 7 5 4
♣ 86
3♦. With a good seven-card suit, South would have opened 3♦ if

East had passed. South can make the same call after East opens 1♠
but it is now a weak jump overcall instead of a preemptive three-
level opening bid.
As with any preemptive bid, South should be more cautious
when vulnerable since the potential penalty is larger. With only
six playing tricks, South might prefer to pass with this hand when
vulnerable. South shouldn’t make a simple overcall of 2♦ since North
would expect South to hold a stronger hand for a simple two-level
overcall—about the values for an opening bid.
73
SUMMARY
Requirements for a Simple Overcall

Distribution: A good five-card suit or a six-card or longer suit.
Strength: 7 or more high-card points at the one level.
13 or more points at the two level or higher.
Advancing an Overcall with Support
6–9 points: With 3-card support, raise to the cheapest level.
With 4-card support, raise to the three level.
With 5-card support, raise to the game level.
10+ points: Cuebid the opponents’ suit, showing interest in
reaching game.
Advancing in a New Suit
Distribution: A good five-card suit or a six-card longer suit.
Strength: 6 or more points at the one level;
11 or more points at the two level.
A new suit advance is not forcing20.
Advancing in Notrump
6–10 points: Bid notrump at the cheapest level.
11–12 points: Jump in notrump.
13+ points: Cuebid then bid notrump.
Requirements for a 1NT Overcall
Distribution: Balanced hand.
Strength: 15–18 points (same strength in the opponent’s suit).
Requirements for a Preemptive Jump Overcall
Distribution: A good six-card suit at the two level.
A good seven-card suit at the three level.
Strength: A weak hand.
20
Some partnerships prefer to treat a new suit response as forcing.
75
Quiz – Part I
Neither side is vulnerable. East opens 1♥. What call would South
make with the following hands?
NORTH
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST EAST

1♥ ?
SOUTH
a) ♠ AKJ85 b) ♠ 73 c) ♠ A J 10 9 5
♥ 74 ♥ K4 ♥ 2
♦ KJ62 ♦ A Q 10 8 6 3 ♦ 863
♣ 83 ♣ A96 ♣ K 10 9 4
d) ♠ A4 e) ♠ 9 f) ♠ 73
♥ Q93 ♥ J6 ♥ A K J 10 8
♦ J62 ♦ A Q 10 8 4 ♦ AJ5
♣ Q8762 ♣ AQJ73 ♣ 875
g) ♠ A83 h) ♠ A K J 10 8 5 i) ♠ 10 8 3
♥ KQ9 ♥ 5 ♥ 96
♦ Q 10 5 ♦ 763 ♦ 5
♣ A J 10 7 ♣ 954 ♣ A Q J 10 7 4 3
East-West are vulnerable and North-South are non vulnerable. West

opens 1♠, North passes, and East responds 2♦. What call would
South make with the following hands?
NORTH

WEST EAST
1♠ PASS 2♦ ?
SOUTH
j) ♠ K83 k) ♠ 84 l) ♠ 5
♥ K J 10 8 5 ♥ AKQ98 ♥ 973
♦ 74 ♦ 86 ♦ K4
♣ Q95 ♣ K J 10 3 ♣ A Q J 10 8 6 3
76
Answers to Quiz – Part I

a) 1♠. With a good five-card spade suit and 12 high-card points, make
a simple overcall at the one level.
b) 2♦. With 13 high-card points and a good six-card diamond suit,
this hand is strong enough for a simple overcall at the two level.
c) 1♠. Although there are only 8 high-card points, with a good five-
card spade suit that’s enough to make a simple overcall at the one
level.
d) Pass. With 9 high-card points and a poor five-card suit which would
have to be bid at the two level, this hand is unsuitable for an over-
call.
e) 2♦. With 14 high-card points plus 1 length point for each five-card
suit, there is enough strength to make a simple overcall at the two
level. With two five-card suits, bid the higher-ranking.
f) Pass. East has a five-card or longer heart suit, so South doesn’t want
to compete in the same suit. South is happy to defend with hearts
as the trump suit.
g) 1NT. With a balanced hand and 16 high-card points, South would
have opened 1NT if East had passed. After East opens, South can
overcall 1NT to describe the hand. South has some strength in
hearts, the opponents’ suit, in case that suit is led against a notrump
contract.
h) 2♠ (1♠). Although South could overcall 1♠, a weak jump overcall
to 2♠ is more descriptive. It shows a good six-card suit but a weak
hand, similar to an opening weak two-bid.
i) 3♣. A jump overcall to the three level is also preemptive, similar
to an opening bid at the three level. If South were to make a simple
overcall of 2♣, North would expect a stronger hand.
j) Pass. South has a good five-card suit but not enough strength to
make an overcall at the two level.
k) 2♥. With both East and West bidding, it’s a little risky to come into
the auction at the two level, but South has a good five-card suit and
a good hand. South would certainly like North to lead a heart if
East-West buy the contract.
l) 3♣. This time, South has to overcall at the three level. South has
a good seven-card suit and North-South are non vulnerable, so it’s
not too risky.
77
Quiz – Part II
Both sides are vulnerable. West opens 1♦. North overcalls 1♥ and
East passes. What call would South make, as advancer, with each
of the following hands?
NORTH

WEST EAST
1♦ 1♥ PASS ?
SOUTH
a) ♠ J9743 b) ♠ 73 c) ♠ 5
♥ 4 ♥ J94 ♥ Q 10 8 5
♦ Q82 ♦ J84 ♦ 8653
♣ 10 7 6 3 ♣ AJ753 ♣ K742
d) ♠ 10 8 7 4 2 e) ♠ K 10 4 f) ♠ J4
♥ K9863 ♥ KJ6 ♥ A 10 8
♦ 873 ♦ Q 10 ♦ A862
♣ — ♣ J9743 ♣ KQ75
g) ♠ AQJ87 h) ♠ Q743 i) ♠ QJ7

♥ 63 ♥ 85 ♥ K4
♦ 864 ♦ A Q 10 ♦ K Q 10 5
♣ K92 ♣ J975 ♣ 10 9 7 3
North-South are vulnerable and East-West are non vulnerable.

East opens 1♣, South overcalls 1♠, and West passes. North advances
to 2♠ and East passes. What rebid would South make, as the over-
caller, with the following hands?
NORTH
1♣ 1♠ WEST EAST
PASS 2♠ PASS ? SOUTH
j) ♠ K Q 10 8 5 k) ♠ K J 10 7 5 3 l) ♠ A J 8 7 6 3
♥ 642 ♥ Q4 ♥4
♦ A75 ♦ KQ7 ♦ AKJ
♣64 ♣A5 ♣K84
78
Answers to Quiz – Part II

a) Pass. South doesn’t like North’s choice of trump suit but, with
only 3 high-card points and 1 length point, South doesn’t have enough
strength to bid another suit or notrump.
b) 2♥. With three-card support for hearts and 7 high-card points plus
1 dummy point for the doubleton spade, South has enough to raise
partner’s suit.
c) 3♥. South has 5 high-card points and 3 dummy points for the
singleton. With a hand in the 6-9 point range and four-card support,
South makes a preemptive raise to the three level.
d) 4♥. There are 3 high-card points and 5 dummy points for the void in
clubs. With five-card heart support, South makes a preemptive raise
to the game level. If North can’t make 4♥, it’s likely the opponents
can make something.
e) 2♦. With support for partner and 10 high-card points plus 1
dummy point, South cuebids the opponents’ suit. If North makes a
minimum rebid of 2♥, South can pass. This avoids getting the part-
nership too high when North has a minimum one-level overcall.
f) 2♦. With support for partner’s suit and 14 high-card points plus 1
dummy point for the doubleton spade, South starts with a 2♦ cuebid.
If North makes a minimum rebid of 2♥, South can raise to 3♥ to
invite partner to bid game.
g) 1♠. With no fit for hearts but a good five-card spade suit and 10 high-
card points, South can advance in a new suit. This is not forcing.
h) 1NT. With 9 high-card points and strength in the opponents’ suit,
South has enough to advance to 1NT.
i) 2NT. With 11 high-card points and strength in diamonds, South
makes an invitational jump to 2NT.
j) Pass. With 9 high-card points plus 1 length point for the five-card
suit, South doesn’t have much extra for the overcall. North’s raise
shows about 6-9 points, so South settles for partscore.
k) 3♠. North has about 6-9 points and South has 15 high-card points
plus 2 length points for the six-card suit. Game is possible if North
has 8 or 9 points rather than 6 or 7. South invites North to continue
to game by rebidding 3♠.
l) 4♠. South has 16 high-card points plus 2 length points for the six-
card suit. Even if North has only 7 points, there should be enough
combined strength to go for the game bonus.
79
Quiz – Part III
Neither side is vulnerable. East opens 1♦, South overcalls 1♠, West
passes, North advances to 2♦, and East passes. What does South bid?
NORTH
1♦ 1♠ WEST EAST
PASS 2♦ PASS ? SOUTH
a) ♠ A J 10 8 5 b) ♠ A K J 10 7 3 c) ♠ K J 10 7 5
♥ K3 ♥ KQ4 ♥ J3
♦ 10 9 2 ♦ 84 ♦ 5
♣ J73 ♣ 73 ♣ AKJ75
Both sides are vulnerable. East opens 1♣, South overcalls 1♥, West
passes, North advances to 1♠, and East passes. What is South's call?
NORTH
1♣ 1♥ WEST EAST
PASS 1♠ PASS ?
SOUTH
d) ♠ 86 e) ♠ K84 f) ♠ 8
♥ Q J 10 8 5 ♥ A Q 10 7 3 ♥ A K 10 9 5
♦ AJ4 ♦ K4 ♦ AQJ3
♣ 862 ♣ 10 6 2 ♣ 752
East-West are vulnerable, North-South are non vulnerable. West opens

1♥, North overcalls 1♠, East passes and South cuebids 2♥ as advancer.
West passes and North rebids 2♠. What rebid would South make?
NORTH
1♥ 1♠ PASS 2♥ WEST EAST
PASS 2♠ PASS ? SOUTH
g) ♠ A95 h) ♠ Q 10 6 i) ♠ AQ75
♥ J42 ♥ A632 ♥ 73
♦ KQ75 ♦ K7 ♦ AK54
♣ J63 ♣ AJ65 ♣ KJ4
80
Answers to Quiz – Part III

a) 2♠. North’s 2♦ cuebid of the opponents’ suit is forcing, showing 10
or more points. With nothing much extra for the overcall, South
rebids spades at the cheapest level.
b) 3♠. With 13 high-card points plus 2 length points for the six-card
suit, South has extra strength for the one-level overcall. South can
show the extra strength and the extra length in spades suit by rebid-
ding the suit with a jump.
c) 3♣. North’s 2♦ cuebid is forcing. With a good hand for the overcall,
South shows the second suit.
d) Pass. A new suit by advancer is not forcing. With nothing extra,
South passes and stops in partscore. North should have a good five-
card or longer spade suit. Since North didn’t raise hearts, it’s likely
that North has fewer than three hearts.
e) 2♠. With more than a minimum for the overcall and support for
North’s spades, South raises to 2♠.
f) 2♦. South doesn’t like North’s spades but has a good hand for the
overcall. South bids the second suit, giving North a choice of hearts
or diamonds.
g) Pass. North has made a minimum rebid, showing nothing extra
for the one-level overcall. Game is unlikely, so South settles for
partscore.
h) 3♠. With 14 high-card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton
diamond, South has enough to invite North to game even though
North has promised nothing extra. If North has as much as 11 or
12 points, game should be reasonable. With less, North can pass.
i) 4♠. Even opposite a minimum one-level overcall, there should be
enough combined strength for game since South has four-card sup-
port and 17 high-card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton
heart. South didn’t advance to 4♠ right away because that would
show a weaker hand of about 6-9 points.
81
♠ 72
DEAL: 5
♥ AK873
DEALER: NORTH ♦ 963
VUL: NONE ♣ KQ5
NORTH
♠ K93 ♠ A Q J 10 5
♥ Q94 WEST EAST
♥ 10 2
♦ A 10 4 ♦ KQ8
♣ 8762 SOUTH ♣ 10 9 4
♠ 864
♥ J65
♦ J752
♣ AJ3
Suggested
Bidding 1♥ 1♠ 2♥
2♠ PASS PASS PASS
North has 12 high-card points plus 1 length point for the five-card
suit, enough to open the bidding. North opens 1♥.
East has 12 high-card points plus 1 length point for the five-card
suit. If North had passed, East would open 1♠. After North’s opening
bid, East can compete for the contract by overcalling 1♠.
South, the responder, has three-card support for North’s major
suit and 7 high-card points. That’s enough to raise to 2♥.
West, the advancer, has 9 high-card points and three-card support
for East’s suit. West can continue the partnership’s competition for
the contract by raising to 2♠.
North has already described the hand by opening the bidding
and passes with nothing extra to show.
Since West’s raise is limited to about 9 points, East knows the
partnership only has enough combined strength for partscore. East
passes.
South has nothing extra to show and also passes. The contract
is 2♠ with East as the declarer.
82
Suggested Opening Lead

South, on declarer’s left, makes the opening lead. With no touching
high cards in partner’s suit, South leads low, the ♥5.
Declarer’s Plan DECLARER’S PLAN—THE ABC’S

After South makes the open- Declarer: East Contract: 2♠
ing lead and the West hand ASSESS THE SITUATION
comes down as the dummy, Goal 8
East makes a plan. As declarer, Sure Tricks 8
East’s goal is to take at least 8 Extra Tricks Needed 0
tricks to make the 2♠ contract. BROWSE DECLARER’S CHECKLIST

East begins by counting the Not applicable
sure winners: five sure tricks in CONSIDER THE ORDER

spades and three in diamonds. • Draw trumps.
• Take the tricks and run.
That’s a total of eight, exactly
what is required.
With enough tricks to make the contract, declarer’s priority is to
draw trumps after gaining the lead. Suppose North wins the first
two tricks with the ♥A-K and the defenders then take three club
tricks. Whatever the defenders lead next, declarer can win. East
can then start taking spade winners until the defenders have no
trumps remaining. This takes three rounds because the five missing
trumps are divided 3-2.
Once the opponents’ trumps are drawn, it is safe to take three
diamond winners. On the actual deal, East could have taken the
diamond winners before drawing trumps, but that would not
have worked if either opponent had a singleton or doubleton dia-
mond.
Comments
If East-West did not compete for the contract, North-South would
play the contract in 2♥. By using the overcall to compete, East-
West will either be left to play in the makeable 2♠ contract or push
North-South to 3♥, which can be defeated two tricks.
83
♠ Q J 10 8 6
DEAL: 6
♥ 72
DEALER: EAST ♦ 832
VUL: N-S ♣ 963
NORTH
♠ A94 ♠ K53
♥ AK53 WEST EAST
♥ 94
♦ 654 ♦ Q J 10 9 7
♣ QJ7 SOUTH ♣ AK5
♠ 72
♥ Q J 10 8 6
♦ AK
♣ 10 8 4 2
Suggested WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Bidding 1♦ 1♥
3NT PASS PASS PASS
East has 13 high-card points plus 1 point for the five-card diamond
suit. East opens in the minor suit, 1♦.
South has only 10 high-card points plus 1 length point for the
five-card suit but, with a good five-card heart suit and three of the
top five honors, South can overcall at the one level.
West, the responder, has a balanced hand with 14 high-card
points. Since East has opened the bidding, West decides HOW HIGH,
game, knowing the partnership has at least 27 combined points.
With strength in hearts, the opponents’ suit, West decides WHERE,
notrump. West jumps to 3NT.
North, East, and South all pass, and the contract is 3NT played
by West.
North is on lead against 3NT. Without any information from the
auction, North would lead the ♠Q, top of the solid sequence. After
South’s overcall, however, North leads the ♥7, top of the doubleton
in partner’s suit.
84
West’s goal is to take at least Declarer: West Contract: 3NT
nine tricks to make the 3NT ASSESS THE SITUATION

contract. West begins by Goal 9
Sure Tricks 7
counting the sure winners: two
Extra Tricks Needed 2
spades, two hearts, and three
BROWSE DECLARER’S CHECKLIST
clubs for a total of seven tricks.
Promotion: 3 in diamonds
Two more tricks are required. Length
West browses Declarer’s The Finesse
Checklist. Declarer can plan to CONSIDER THE ORDER
promote three extra winners in • Develop the extra diamond tricks
the diamond suit by driving out early.
the ♦A and ♦K.

After winning the ♥K, West leads to one of dummy’s high diamonds
to drive out the ♦K. South wins and leads another heart, driving out
West’s ♥A. Declarer can lead another high diamond to drive out the
♦A and establish dummy’s remaining diamonds as winners.
Unfortunately for East-West, South can take enough heart win-
ners to defeat the contract after winning the ♦A. North-South win
the race to promote winners in their long suit, thanks to North’s
opening lead of the ♥7, partner’s suit.
Comments
If North had led the ♠Q instead of a heart, declarer could make
the contract. Declarer wins either the ♠A or ♠K and plays a high
diamond to drive out the ♦K. South can lead another spade to drive
out declarer’s remaining high spade and establish North’s remain-
ing spades as winners. When declarer leads another high diamond,
however, South wins the ♦A and has no spades to lead. Whatever
South leads, declarer wins and takes the established diamond win-
ners to make the contract with an overtrick.
The overcall is effective in getting the partnership off to the best
opening lead and did not involve much risk. If East-West chose to
defend against 1♥, that contract can only be defeated one trick, for
a small penalty. If East-West choose to play in a partscore contract
in diamonds, South’s overcall has kept them from getting to 3NT.
85
♠ A Q 10 9 7
DEAL: 7
♥ 863
DEALER: SOUTH ♦ KQJ
VUL: E-W ♣ 85
NORTH
♠ 5 ♠ 42
♥ AKJ752 WEST EAST
♥ Q 10 4
♦ A 10 5 ♦ 97643
♣ AJ3 SOUTH ♣ KQ7
♠ KJ863
♥ 9
♦ 82
♣ 10 9 6 4 2

Bidding PASS
1♥ 1♠ 2♥ 4♠
PASS(?) PASS PASS
South passes. West opens 1♥ with 17 high-card points plus 2 length

points for the six-card suit.
North, with a good five-card suit and 12 high-card points, over-
calls 1♠.
East has three-card support for partner’s hearts and 7 high-card
points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton spade. That’s enough
to raise to 2♥.
South has only 4 high-card points but can add 3 dummy points for
the singleton heart and 1 dummy point for the doubleton diamond.
With five-card support for partner’s overcalled suit and a hand in
the 6-9 point range, South can make a preemptive raise to the four
level, 4♠. This is a two-way bid. With the good distributional hand,
it is likely the partnership can take a lot of tricks with spades as the
trump suit. At the same time, the jump to 4♠ makes it difficult for
East-West to find their best spot.
West has a challenging decision over North’s 4♠ advance. West
86
planned to bid 4♥ but would now have to bid 5♥ to win the con-
tract. That may be too high. West might prefer to defend, hoping
to defeat 4♠21.
If West doesn’t bid, North will become declarer in a 4♠ contract.
East leads the ♥4, low from three or more cards with no touching
honors in partner’s suit.
North’s goal is to take at least ten Declarer: North Contract: 4♠
tricks with spades as trumps. ASSESS THE SITUATION
North counts five sure tricks in Goal 10
spades, but that’s all. Five more Sure Tricks 5
tricks need to be developed. Extra Tricks Needed 5
North browses Declarer’s BROWSE DECLARER’S CHECKLIST

Checklist. Two hearts can be Promotion: 2 in diamonds
Length 0
trumped in dummy. Also, two The Finesse 0
tricks can be promoted in dia- Trumping in Dummy 2 in hearts
monds. That’s not enough to CONSIDER THE ORDER
make the contract, but it’s the • Draw trumps.
best declarer can do. • Develop the extra diamond tricks
early.
After West wins the first
• Keep two trumps in dummy to ruff
heart, the defenders may sim- hearts.
ply take their diamond and club
winners. If not, North can draw trumps on gaining the lead, promote
the diamond winners and ruff two hearts with dummy’s spades.
Comments
Although North-South can’t make 4♠, going down one trick is a
good result. East-West can make 4♥. They have six heart tricks, a
diamond trick, and three club tricks. The penalty for being defeated
in 4♠ is less than the score value for 4♥.
There is little East-West can do. If they bid 5♥, they will be de-
feated one trick. South’s preemptive jump raise is effective.
21
West might make a penalty double of 4♠ to increase the score for defeating the contract.
87
♠ A K 10 8 6
DEAL: 8
♥ Q53
DEALER: WEST ♦ A 10 7
VUL: BOTH ♣ 10 6
NORTH
♠ 42 ♠ J975
♥ 10 8 4 WEST EAST
♥ 9
♦ KQJ62 ♦ 93
♣ AK4 SOUTH ♣ J97532
♠ Q3
♥ AKJ762
♦ 854
♣ Q8

Bidding 1♦ 1♠ PASS 2♥
PASS 3♥ PASS 4♥
PASS PASS PASS
West has 13 high-card points plus 1 length point for the five-card
diamond suit. Although the hand is balanced, it isn’t strong enough
to open 1NT. West opens 1♦, the long suit.
North has 13 high-card points plus 1 point for the five-card spade
suit, for a total of 14. With a good five-card suit, North overcalls 1♠.
East, with only 2 high-card points plus 2 length points for the
six-card suit, doesn’t have enough to respond and passes.
South doesn’t have three-card support for North’s spades but
does have 12 high-card points plus 2 length points for the six-card
heart suit. That’s enough to advance in a new suit at the two level.
The 2♥ bid is forward going, but not forcing. North can pass with
a minimum overcall.
West doesn’t have enough to bid again and passes.
North has three-card support for South’s hearts and more than a
minimum for the overcall. North raises to 3♥ to show the support
and interest in reaching game.
88
After East passes, South has enough to continue to game with

the knowledge that the partnership has a fit in hearts and North
has more than the minimum strength for an overcall. South’s 4♥
bid is followed by three passes, ending the auction.

West could lead the ♦K, top of the solid sequence, or the ♣A, top
of the touching honors in that suit, against South’s 4♥ contract.

South is declarer and the Declarer: South Contract: 4♥
goal is to take ten tricks with ASSESS THE SITUATION
hearts as trumps. South counts Goal 10
three sure tricks in spades, six Sure Tricks 10
Extra Tricks Needed 0
in hearts, and one in diamonds.
That’s a total of ten tricks, ex- BROWSE DECLARER’S CHECKLIST
Not applicable
actly what is required.
West may take the first two CONSIDER THE ORDER
• Draw trumps first.
club tricks and then lead the • High card from the short side first in
♦K, or lead the ♦K initially. spades.
In either case, after winning
the ♦A, declarer’s priority is to
draw trumps since there are enough tricks to make the contract. It
will then be safe to take the spade winners.
Since the spade suit is unevenly divided between the two hands,
declarer starts with the ♠Q, high card from the short side first.
The ♠2 is then played to dummy’s ♠A and ♠K and declarer has ten
tricks. On the third round of spades, declarer discards a diamond
from the South hand.
Comments
If declarer tries to take the spade tricks before drawing trumps, West
will trump the third round of spades. West can then take a diamond
winner to go with the two club tricks to defeat the contract.
89

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As many as ten factors may

inﬂuence a player’s decision to

—HENRY FRANCIS (EDITOR-IN-CHIEF),

THE OFFICIAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BRIDGE

The Simple Overcall

East opens the bidding 1♦. What should South do?

WEST EAST 1♦ Opener

With 13 high-card points plus 1 length point for the ﬁve-card

WEST EAST 1♠ Opener

Advantages and Risks of an Overcall

WEST EAST 1♣ Opener

South would not open 1♠ with only 9 high-card points plus 1

There are also risks in overcalling:

Guidelines for an Overcall

WEST EAST 1♦ Opener

1♠. This is a very sound one-level overcall with 14 high-card points

WEST EAST 1♦ Opener

WEST EAST 1♦ Opener

WEST EAST 1♦ Opener

WEST EAST 1♠ Opener

WEST EAST 1♠ Opener

2♥. This is a good hand with enough strength to overcall at the

WEST EAST 1♥ Opener

WEST EAST 1♥ Opener

WEST EAST 1♥ Opener

Pass. There is no ﬁve-card or longer suit to overcall. Even though

WEST EAST 1♥ Opener

Making an Overcall After Both Opponents Have Bid

Opener 1♣ WEST EAST 1♥ Responder

Opener 1♠ WEST EAST 2♠ Responder

Advancing a Simple Overcall

The partner of the opening bidder is the responder. The partner of

Opener 1♥ WEST EAST 2♥ Responder

Advancer’s Priority – Supporting Partner’s Suit

ﬁnd their best contract. By taking away room on the Bidding

SUPPORTING WITH MINIMUM VALUES

Advancing a One-Level Overcall

The jump raise to the three level or higher is referred to as a

Opener 1♥ WEST EAST 2♥ Responder

2♠. With three-card support for overcaller’s spade suit and 7

Opener 1♥ WEST EAST 2♥ Responder

Opener 1♥ WEST EAST 2♥ Responder

Opener 1♠ WEST EAST 2♠ Responder

3♥. With 8 high-card points and three-card support for partner’s

RAISING WITH 10+ POINTS–THE CUEBID

Opener 1♦ WEST EAST Pass Responder

South’s 2♦ bid is unlikely to be of much use in a natural sense.

The cuebid is forcing and the overcaller is expected to bid again

Opener 1♦ WEST EAST Pass Responder

2♦. With three-card support for spades and 11 high-card points,

Opener 1♦ WEST EAST Pass Responder

Opener 1♦ WEST EAST Pass Responder

Advancer’s Second Choice – A New Suit

Without support for overcaller’s suit, advancer can consider bidding

Guidelines for Advancing

A new suit response to an opening bid is forcing. An advance in

Opener 1♣ WEST EAST Pass Responder

Opener 1♣ WEST EAST Pass Responder

Advancer’s Third Choice – Notrump