Sunday, December 05, 2010

Hand Evaluation - Overcalls ( Free Bids )

PITBULLS:

        You cannot have it both ways. Back in the 1950's a "free bid" meant that you had extra. The mere fact that you are bidding again showed values. In the modern game , free bids & bidding again means you are competing nothing more nothing less . Therefore , to let partner in on the secret when you want to make a free bid or bid again after making an overcall with defensive values, do it with a double. When you are just bidding again , partner will give you competitive leeway. A double resolves ambiguity for partner with regard to the strength of your overcall. An overcall in itself is ambiguous with regard to strength & quite often needs belated clarification. A double now shows "cards" not perfect T/O distribution. With perfect T/O distribution but without defense , just bid again when you wish.

        Do not get carried away with the double though. Once you have described your good hand with an initial  double , bidding again shows a strong hand. Here is a poorly bid hand that cost a team the Reisenger championship. ♠K109x ♥AKxxx ♦AKJx ♣void . You are vul against not with the auction going 1♣-P-3♣- before it reaches you. You have too much strength measured in quick tricks to Q bid as that should show a more offensive orientated hand. You double & LHO bids 5♣ so around to you again . Giving the opponents 10 HCP in clubs ( confirmed with partners non double ) , a 2nd double does not describe the offense contained in this hand. A double initially described your values to a degree so now describe your offense by bidding. 5♥ brings 6♥ from partner & they sacrifice to 7♣ for +1400 your way. +1430 or +1460 makes depending on your queen finding. This is a rare sequence where by bidding you bring partner into the picture. Partner made the decision to bid 6♥ not you. When you double again & partner bids 5♥ , do you single handedly bid 6♥ ? The player chose not & the championship was lost.

        The decision to bid or double is not an art form in my opinion. It is simply looking at hands as either defensive or offensive orientated. Bid with offense like voids in the opponents suit otherwise double to give partner the most options. When it is obvious partner does not have their suit , you do not need to give partner the option to convert for penalty.

        Whether to double or overcall is still an area of contention . The Italians today in the Reisenger held ♠AKJx ♥AK10xx ♦Q10x ♣x so doubled a one diamond opener. Some of the commentators said it was an "obvious" 1♥ overcall . Commentators arrogance aside , the Italians made the correct bid of double to announce the defense & two places to play the hand. A 1♥ overcall is ambiguous & you may get jammed out of your spade fit & showing the strength of your hand until it is too late. Partner may have been able to double the opponents but was reluctant to do so after a mere 1♥ overcall. Why make things difficult on partner ? Announce your strength with one bid when you have defense with more than one place to play the hand.

        These articles on overcalls are in line with my personal "Culbertson" like thinking. Announce the nature of your HCP's ( tricks ) early as possible when you have two or more suits. A 1♥ overcall in my mind is single handed & leaving partner out of the picture with regard to your spade suit & your HCP's . All this deception  for maybe playing a 5-3 heart fit . Nonsense , in my mind.