2007-10-15 11:27

Hand Evaluation – Overcalls ( T/O Double Structure )

PITBULLS:

The male Tormentee asked me a question about the T/O dbl structure. So I will elaborate here. A T/O double is conceptually an overcall. You are overcalling 3 suits or two suits at the same time via a T/O double. When partner makes a T/O double, she forces you to bid something unless you convert for penalty. Unlike an opening bid , a forced response can show zero to 8 HCP . Therein lies the main difference between an opening bid & a T/O double. Responder cannot show a zero HCP hand the same way as a 10 HCP hand ( the Tormentees try hard though J ) so a jump was invented by responder to show the 10 – 12 HCP invitational hands. This is an invitational bid & not even forcing one round. When responder has a hand 13 HCP & higher , she makes a Q bid. Playing equal level conversion especially , avoid jumping to game with a big hand. A jump to game, should show a good long suit & “taking a shot” at game. Partner may not have the ideal shape for the T/O dbl, so avoid leaping to game without a suit of your own. The T/O doubler will not equal level convert at the 4 level unless interested in slam. A Q bid lets you find your fit below game.

Since you can have zero HCP for a forced response , the T/O doubler can not make a simple raise of your suit without an Ace above an opener. Again this is just an invitational bid. You have announced zero HCP with your forced response so you should bid game with a hand that meshes with partners good hand over there. You have 7-9 HCP for your one level response which is certainly enough to accept game. When the T/O doubler raises directly to the 3 level , you bid game on any excuse otherwise you pass.

Of course , the T/O doubler can not bid her hand as if she just had an opening bid & heard a response showing 6 HCP or more. Responder can have zero HCP after a T/O dbl so the standard is having an Ace more for a bid that you would have made as an opener to compensate. In other words , a jump raise is in the order of 18-21 HCP . An experienced player held ♠KQxx ♥Axxxx ♦Kx ♣Ax with 1♣ opened on her right. She doubled & I responded 1♠ so what is your bid ? Normally this hand is a 3♠ rebid if you had opened except you made a T/O double. This is a 2♠ bid after a T/O dbl but when you had ♠KQxx ♥AKxxx ♦Kx ♣Ax this is a 3♠ bid. The small hand is captain of these auctions as their hand is the great unknown. The T/O doubler can describe her big hand , so responder can place the contract.

A Tormentee made an invitational jump after a T/O dbl with this hand ♠Kx ♥Kxxx ♦Ax ♣KJxxx which is far too huge for the bid. Responder would make the same bid with 9+ HCP , so how does the T/O doubler know the difference ? The answer is that she can not , so the Q bid shows a hand this big. Do not forget that your 14 HCP are behind the opening bidder so your kings have grown up as we all know where the Aces are located.

A balancing double is a little lighter so your jumps are correspondingly heavier but 13 HCP + is still too much for a jump. Accurate bidding is too difficult otherwise. A Q bid is not forcing to game but creates a force until a suit is rebid or invited. In other words , after a Q bid , partner does not have to jump to force. With extra , partner can calmly bid & you ( the Q bidder ) owe her another bid until a suit is rebid or raised.

Since your range for a response after a T/O double is so wide , the T/O doubler will ask you a question with a Q bid. You answer the question of do you have anything by avoiding the “death response” of returning to your suit. Changing suits shows extra & not just improving the partial. Responder can even get a way with a Q bid here but normally we are showing a suit. Do not forget equal level conversion. When partner changes suit at the same level , she is not showing extra for her T/O double. She just means that she does not have your suit & has the two other unbid suits.