Sunday, June 03, 2007 12:30 AM

Hand Evaluation – Overcalls ( T/O Doubles )

PITBULLS:

            T/O doubles are a member of the overcall family. The T/O double not unlike an opening bid is to be disciplined & announce defense as well as two or more places to play the hand .One aspect of being “disciplined” in Bridge is being consistent with your bids. When you “cry wolf” one time & have your values the next time , partner will never read you correctly. The longer I play this game , the more I think the T/O double should imply defense ( quick tricks ) & may be a very good hand related to the level of the auction. A T/O double is better defined than an overcall & solicits partner’s input immediately.  A T/O double is more of a partnership bid which helps when the opponents are disturbing the auction. Shape T/O doubles without defense is just like psyching an opening bid , you con partner.

A systemic bid ( toy ) , overcall or Q bid shows distribution but not necessarily the defense associated with a double. In my mind , a double should be reserved to always show defensive values measured in quick tricks. This should be obvious as partner can convert for penalty or double the opponents based on your action. Opening bids are based on the same logical discipline. T/O doubles are a close cousin to the opening bid.

            Nick & Judy had a hand today which emphasizes the above point. You hold ♠void ♥Q1098 ♦AKJ10x ♣Axxx but the opponents open 2♠ showing  spades & a minor. They convert to the minor ( 3♣) so what do you bid ?  Nick bid 3♠ , which the commentators gushed was the correct bid. Judy held ♠Axxxxx ♥AKxx ♦Qx ♣x but has seen Nicks Q bids before so she never even attempted slam by bidding 4♥. A grand slam of course was cold. Do not fool around with either T/O doubles or opening bids. They should be the “sacred cow” that always show defense. Find a different bid when you lack defense. Bidding a suit , Q bidding or a pass comes to mind.

            Commentator’s bias or not , I feel the correct bid with the above hand is double at the 3 level to show your defense , describe your hand ( unbid suits ) & give partner the most options. You  have the two unbid suits covered nicely & 3 suiters are conceptually a defensive hand. You can always Q bid your spade void later. Make a bid that announces your defensive strength first in crowded auctions. This brings partner into the picture & avoids ambiguity. Bridge is a partnership game. The sooner you announce your hand type & strength  to partner , the better off your side will be. Ambiguity is the killer of Bridge bidding. The Q bid was ambiguous in Judy’s mind & a lot of other Bridge players’ minds. A double cannot be misinterpreted  to be a weak distributional hand . This hand has 3 quick tricks so announce your defense  & hand type !! Getting to slam after this simple good start is easy.