Bidding Guide 2Z11 by Richard Pavlicek

Overcalls and Doubles

When an opponent opens with one of a suit

Direct Overcalls and Doubles

West
1

North
?

East

South

With a 5+ card unbid suit
10-12 points bid at 1 level only N
13-18 points bid at cheapest level (1) N
19+ points double (then bid suit)
With a balanced hand and a stopper
16-18 HCP bid 1 NT N
19+ HCP double (then bid NT)
With 3+ cards in each unbid suit
13-15 points double (then pass)
16-18 points double (then raise)
19+ points double (then jump raise)

With a 5+ card unbid suit
10-12 points	bid at 1 level only	N
13-18 points	bid at cheapest level	N
19+ points	double (then bid suit)
With a balanced hand and a stopper
16-18 HCP	bid 1 NT	N
19+ HCP	double (then bid NT)
With 3+ cards in each unbid suit
13-15 points	double (then pass)
16-18 points	double (then raise)
19+ points	double (then jump raise)

(1) Avoid a 2 level overcall in a poor suit, especially when vulnerable. You may be doubled for penalty.

Responses to a One-Level Suit Overcall

West
1

North
1

East
P

South
?

With a 5+ card unbid suit (no major fit)
8-11 points bid at cheapest level N
12-14 points jump in suit (2) I
15-18 points bid game in suit (2) (3) N
With 3+ card trump support
8-11 points raise to 2 N
12-14 points raise to 3 I
15-18 points raise to game (3) N
With a stopper in enemy suit
8-11 HCP bid 1 NT N
12-14 HCP bid 2 NT I
15-18 HCP bid 3 NT (3) N

With a 5+ card unbid suit (no major fit)
8-11 points	bid at cheapest level	N
12-14 points	jump in suit	I
15-18 points	bid game in suit	N
With 3+ card trump support
8-11 points	raise to 2	N
12-14 points	raise to 3	I
15-18 points	raise to game	N
With a stopper in enemy suit
8-11 HCP	bid 1 NT	N
12-14 HCP	bid 2 NT	I
15-18 HCP	bid 3 NT	N

Responses to a Two-Level Suit Overcall

West
1

North
2

East
P

South
?

With a 5+ card unbid suit (no major fit)
8-11 points bid at cheapest level N
12+ points jump in suit (2) (3) F
With 3+ card trump support
8-11 points raise to 3 N
12-13 points raise to 4 (3) I (4)
14-16 points raise to game (3) N
With a stopper in enemy suit
8-11 HCP bid 2 NT N
12-16 HCP bid 3 NT (3) N

With a 5+ card unbid suit (no major fit)
8-11 points	bid at cheapest level	N
12+ points	jump in suit	F
With 3+ card trump support
8-11 points	raise to 3	N
12-13 points	raise to 4	I
14-16 points	raise to game	N
With a stopper in enemy suit
8-11 HCP	bid 2 NT	N
12-16 HCP	bid 3 NT	N

(2) Suit must be 6+ cards if jump is at the 3 level, or 7+ cards (or a strong 6) at the 4 level or higher.

(3) If unsure of the best contract you should cue-bid the enemy suit (forcing) to allow room to explore.

(4) In the case of hearts this is game (nonforcing).

Responses to a One-Notrump Overcall

West
1

North
1 NT

East
P

South
?

An easy one!
Ignore the enemy bid and respond exactly as you would to a 1 NT opening bid.

An easy one!
Ignore the enemy bid and respond exactly as you would to a 1 NT opening bid.

Responses to a Takeout Double

West
1

North
Dbl

East
P

South
?

With a 4+ card unbid suit
0-9 points (5) bid at cheapest level N
10-12 points jump in suit I
13-16 points bid game in suit (3) N
With a stopper in enemy suit
6-9 HCP bid 1 NT N
10-12 HCP bid 2 NT I
13-16 HCP bid 3 NT (3) N

With a 4+ card unbid suit
0-9 points	bid at cheapest level	N
10-12 points	jump in suit	I
13-16 points	bid game in suit	N
With a stopper in enemy suit
6-9 HCP	bid 1 NT	N
10-12 HCP	bid 2 NT	I
13-16 HCP	bid 3 NT	N

(5) Rarely you may bid a 3 card suit. Do not pass the double except with 5+ strong cards in enemy suit.