Wednesday, May 23, 2007 2:51 AM

Hand Evaluation – Overcalls ( Two level )

PITBULLS:

The decision whether to make an overcall or pass is obviously a hand evaluation decision. HCP’s , quick tricks , suit quality are the main considerations but there are others. The vulnerability & whether partner is a passed hand are very important criteria when making your decision to overcall. ♠Jx ♥Axx ♦AJ109xx ♣xx is a light 2♦ overcall when RHO opens 1♠ . Let’s examine all the possibilities for an overcall as opposed to a pass. This overcall meets the HCP criteria 10 HCP , the defensive criteria ( two Aces ) & the suit quality criteria ( nice 6 card suit) so I personally would overcall . Leads are a very important element of Bridge , so get in their face.

Now take into consideration the final two criteria of vulnerability & a passed hand partner. Would that change my mind to overcall ? No , this hand is an overcall on all vulnerability scenarios. When partner is not a passed hand , this is a minimum but reasonable 2 level overcall. What if partner is a passed hand ? The medium HCP’s for a passed hand is 6 HCP . Adding this to your total means that the opponents are in the game range. Are you not just giving the opponents a “fielders choice” of doubling you or bidding their game? Are you helping map out the distribution & HCP’s for assisting their declarer play for their game ?

No , not really as you forgetting another purpose of an overcall. They open 1♠ so you pass with that hand & they have any number of auctions to get to 3NT. Partner does not lead a diamond & they make it . Lose 12 IMPS as a ♦ lead beats the contract, so good Bridge players will always overcall with this hand , passed hand partner or not. There is only one case where I would not overcall with this hand. We are vul & they are not & partner is a passed hand. Now it is too risky for a lead directing overcall. –800 against their +430 means partner find your own lead J.

Strange game Bridge , my partner made this obvious overcall , in my opinion .However, the world’s greatest overbidder playing with Western Canada’s worst opening leader passed this hand at the other table. We reached an ambitious 3NT game at our table but went down . They won 9 IMPS on the board resting in a 1NT contract in a balancing auction & won the match by 2 IMPS L