Tuesday, August 22, 2006 5:57 AM

Hand Evaluation – Overcalls ( Intermediate Two Suiters )

PITBULLS:

Established partnerships should have a standard way of showing intermediate two suiters when the opponents open the bid at the one level. Equal level conversion principles apply in describing these hands as a T/O double is my choice for hands not covered by a “toy”. Unusual 2NT or Michaels are either weak or very strong & never intermediate with most experts. With the strong two suit combinations covered by the systemic bid , simply use the toy to show your strong two suiters.

What about strong two suiters that are not covered systemically ? Do not overcall with those hands when you have defensive strength measured in quick tricks. No , no & no. Here is a fate suffered by one pair in a Spingold who did just that. The opponents opened 1♣ so you have ♠AKQxx ♥x ♦AJ10xx ♣Ax . Our hero overcalled one spade , got to play it there opposite ♠x ♥Jxxxx ♦Qxxx ♣QJx . At the other table they made 6♦ after the big hand doubled 1♣. They responded 1♥ & the big hand bid 2♠. You should assume a two suiter with these types of auctions , so you bid 3♦. Partner raises diamonds & you may not get to slam but you at least get your vul +620. Use jump conversions after an initial double , to show strong defensive two suiters under a Q bid strength. When one suiters are thrown out of the T/O double structure , the T/O double is now defined as showing two or three unbid suits.

Do not worry about making off shape T/O doubles when you have the boss suit as one of your suits. They open 1♦, you have ♠AKQxx ♥x ♦Ax ♣KQ10xx . This suit combination does not fit any of your toys but you are too strong ( defense ) to overcall & an overcall hides your 2^nd suit. You double & convert partners heart bid to another level. This shows a good two suiter as you did not convert to the same level. Bid strong one suiters a different way. I prefer overcalling & subsequently jumping in my suit to show strong one suiters. When too strong , I will jump Q bid directly & leap in my suit. I will never double with a one suited hand as it just muddies the water playing equal level conversion. . A T/O double shows two or more suits. Keep that thought !!

A 6-4 is a two suiter also. Playing equal level conversion you double with the other major & a 6 card diamond suit. 1♥ opened , you hold ♠AKxx ♥xx ♦Axxxxx ♣x . This is a T/O double so you convert 2♣ to 2♦ at the same level. Add some strength to the hand ♠AKxx ♥xx ♦AKQxxx ♣x , you double 1♥ & convert 2♣ to 3♦. Since this jump is a lower ranking suit , you describe a 6-4. When you jump in the higher ranking suit initially , you can show a 5-5 strong hand. Equal level conversion is not that tough – correct ?