Bidding Guide 2Z37   Main

Coping with Interference

by Richard Pavlicek

When your side opens with a one-bid and
an opponent overcalls or doubles

After a Suit Opening and a Suit Overcall

Partner 1

Opp. 1

You ?

With 5+ cards in enemy suit

any strength

pass

After a major opening with 3+ trumps

6-10 points	raise to 2	N
11-12 points	raise to 3	I
13+ points	bid unbid suit	F

With a balanced hand and a stopper

With a 4+ card unbid suit

7+ points	double (if appropriate)
6-10 points	bid suit at 1 level	F
11+ points	bid suit cheapest level	F

After a minor with 5+ trumps or at least Q-x-x-x

6-10 points	raise to 2	N
11-12 points	raise to 3	I
13+ points	bid unbid minor	F

Commonly called a “trap pass,” this assumes you are playing negative doubles (topic follows). At the 2 level or higher you may trap pass with 4 good cards in the enemy suit.

This usually shows 4+ cards, but it may be bid with 3 cards as a waiting bid. Alternatively you may cue-bid the enemy suit, after which all bids below game are forcing.

Usually no unbid 4 card major.

With 9 or 10 points and a good 5+ card suit you may bid your suit at the 2 level rather than pass.

Bidding Guide 2Z37   Main

Top   Coping with Interference

Requirements for a Negative Double

Partner 1

Opp. 1

You ?

An aid to finding a major-suit fit

After partner opens one of a suit, and an opponent overcalls in a suit (through 4 ), a double is not for penalty but shows 7+ points and 4+ cards in an unbid major suit.

If both majors are unbid

Double promises only one major except on the specific sequence, 1 1 , double shows both (at least 4-4) since you can bid 1 or 1 with just one.

If both majors are bid

Double shows both minor suits (at least 4-4).

Rebids by Opener after a Negative Double

You 1 ?

Opp. 1

Partner Dbl

Opp. Pass

Choose the best contract

Opener should try to choose the best trump suit or notrump, similar to normal rebidding style, based on the information revealed by the double.

Indicate your strength as follows

13-15 points	minimum bid	N
16-18 points	jump bid	I
19+ points	cue-bid enemy suit	F

Rebids by Responder after a Negative Double

Partner 1 2

Opp. 1 Pass

You Dbl ?

Opp. Pass

No need to bid

Responder is not required to bid unless forced by a cue-bid. Assuming opener has indicated a hand in the minimum range (13-15):

Indicate your strength as follows

7-10 points	pass or bid 2 of suit	N
11-12 points	2 NT or raise to 3	I
13+ points	cue-bid enemy suit	F

Optionally, bid game directly if sure of the best contract.

Bidding Guide 2Z37   Main

Top   Coping with Interference

After a Suit Opening and a Takeout Double

Partner 1

Opp. Dbl

You ?

With 10+ HCP or 11+ points

After a major opening with 3+ trumps

6-10 points

raise to 2

N

With a balanced hand

With a 4+ card unbid suit

6-10 points

bid suit cheapest level

N

After a minor with 5+ trumps or at least Q-x-x-x

6-10 points

raise to 2

N

With 8-10 points you may instead raise to 3 if your trump support is exceptionally good.

Suit must be 6+ or a good 5 cards to bid at the 2 level.

After a Suit Opening and a One-Notrump Overcall

Partner 1

Opp. 1 NT

You ?

With 10+ HCP or 11+ points

After a major opening with 3+ trumps

6-10 points

raise to 2

N

With a 6+ or good 5 card unbid suit

After a minor with 5+ trumps or at least Q-x-x-x

6-10 points

raise to 2

N

Rebids by Opener after Interference

You 1 ?

Opp. Pass

Partner 1

Opp. 2

General guidelines

If your right-hand opponent bids over partner’s bid, make the same rebid you would have made without interference if possible. If the bidding is too high, or if unhappy with your hand, just pass; partner has another turn. Also, be alert to double (penalty) with 4 good cards in the enemy suit.

Quack? You know how to cope with interference?

Quack, yeah. In hunting season, I just duck.

After a One-Notrump Opening and a Suit Overcall

Partner 1 NT

Opp. 2

You ?

With 4+ cards in enemy suit

With an unbid 4 card major

9+ points

cue-bid enemy suit

F

With a 5+ card unbid suit

5-8 points	bid suit cheapest level	N
9+ points	jump in suit	F

With any other hand

This replaces the Stayman 2 bid. Opener must bid an unbid 4 card major if he has one; else 3 NT.

Jump bids to the 4 level are unique: 4 is Gerber, 4 requires 7+ cards, and 4 or 4 requires 6+ cards (sign-off). If a jump bid is inappropriate, you may instead cue-bid the enemy suit or gamble on 3 NT.

After a One-Notrump Opening and a Double

With 7+ HCP or 8+ points

With any 5+ card suit

1-7 points

bid 2 of that suit

S

The Stayman 2 bid does not apply over a double.

Bidding Guide 2Z37   Main

Top   Coping with Interference

© 2002 Richard Pavlicek