February-21-09

Hand Evaluation - Overcalls ( Suit Quality)

PITBULLS :

        When I learned Bridge , all overcalls had to be lead directing with a decent suit . There were some exceptions at the one level when you had a 2nd suit with a weak hand but overcalls equating to good suits was considered basic Bridge. Over the years , Bridge has evolved where people got into the auction more in order to "fire the 1st shot" . The suit discipline at the one level was one of the casualties of this modern overcall style . Suit discipline for two level overcalls still remain for sane Bridge players. Larry Cohen advocates this "Bridge is a bidders game" philosophy & Bergen carries it to extremes by not considering vulnerability either.

        Over the years , I have relaxed my overcalling style at the one level on 3 of the 4 vulnerability scenarios as per the modern style of getting into the bidding quickly. I do not overcall just for the sake of bidding as I must have a purpose. However , my suit at the one level does not need to be able to stand a lead unless I am vul vrs not. May as well make your decision quickly at the one level rather than backing in later. Why the exception on this one vulnerability though ?

Partnership trust is the reason. I do not want partner to give me leeway vul vrs not for my overcalls. When I make a vul overcall vrs not , partner should not be afraid of competing , penalty doubles or having to rescue me from myself vulnerable. The vulnerability dictates the quality of my suit on unfavourable vulnerability. Bergen says "colour is for kids” so just ignore vulnerability & bid just to disrupt the opponents . This is just poor gambling ( insanity ) as you are relying on partner to fill your suit vul vrs not . There is twice the chance that either LHO or RHO  have your suit than partner. Bid your "own hand" when you overcall & not just gamble that of the three remaining Bridge players , partner is the one to hold your suit. Shooting dice vul vrs not is for Graceful players.

       It is not just the risk of going for a number that deters me on this vulnerability , but the "bad lead" aspect of the bid. Opening leads are beyond important & when partner is sticking her neck out vul vrs not to not give you a lead , I find this ludicrous. Bergen says with scorn when you do not overcall vul vrs not with a bad suit , you are making a poor bid. You are part of the "pass & guess" contingent as he scornfully calls such tactics. I do not overcall bad suits vul vrs not at any level in Bridge. Partner is intelligent enough to figure out from the bidding that the odds that I have length in a certain suit exist . She knows that I have no honours cards there so I do not have to risk making undisciplined overcalls with a suit not worth leading. Competing for partials is not the be all & end all in Bridge though I sometimes think Cohen & Bergen think that way .

Yes , Bridge bidding works better when you get into the auction early & often . However , do not get carried away with this tactic. Play & respect the vulnerability. Partner should not have to give you leeway for non suit overcalls in case you may be just competing for a partial. You risking a huge set , a bad lead & spooking partner , all to make it more difficult for NV opponents ? Maybe worth it in matchpoints when the importance of partials are magnified but in IMPS , bad leads & huge sets are both match breakers. Partnership trust & confidence are too much to give away for just competing. Play the vulnerability. Competing for partials vul vrs not is not worth the cost of degrading your systemic overcall structure.

Your discipline with the quality of suits ( overcalls ) effect your lead directing double style. When the opponents reach 3NT & the overcaller doubles for a lead what does it mean ? When you do not care what quality of suits you have for your vul overcall , this double demands a lead of your suit. This double is in effect clarifying your overcall saying “it is a real overcall this time partner” . I do not play that type of lead directing double. My lead directing doubles negate the obvious lead of my suit. My overcall is the obvious lead so when I double I want dummy’s suit lead . This is a lead partner would never come up with on her own. When leading my suit will beat the contract , I pass & take my set. However , what if partner does not trust my vul overcalls for a lead. She may lead her suit & they now just have made a game for a 12 IMP disaster . When I overcall vul vrs not & partner is in a quandary deciding what to lead , I assume she missed the bidding or is void in my suit . On the other vulnerabilities , the quality of my suit might not be up to the standards of decades past. Therefore , I want to double to tell partner not to lead my suit otherwise use her judgment. Discipline is partnership Bridge & playing the vulnerability is discipline.