Thursday, June 10, 2004 2:30 AM

Weak two - 2NT Overcall

PITBULLS:

The sequence of the opponents opening a weak two and your side overcalling 2NT is a common auction. It is good to have a clear understanding of bids over that auction. Need different understandings depending on whether their weak two is in diamonds , spades or hearts. The two key bids are transferring into their suit to show shortness and 3♠ as a relay to 3NT to start minor sequences.

A METHOD FOR RESPONDING TO PARTNER'S 2NT OVERCALL OF A WEAK TWO OPENING BID.

Opener       Partner                       Responder        You
2♦         2NT (15-18)                Pass                    ?

3♣= Stayman
3♦= Transfer to 3♥  (Partner jumps to 4♥ with a max)
3♥= Transfer to 3♠ (Partner  jumps to 4♠ with a max)
3♠ = Clubs, slammish
3NT, 4NT =  Natural
4♣= Gerber
4♦= Transfer to 4♥   (followed by 4NT=Keycard Blackwood)
4♥= Transfer to 4♠  (followed by 4NT=Keycard Blackwood)

Opener        Partner        Responder        You 
2♥   2NT              Pass                   ?

3♣=  Stayman

3♦= Transfer to hearts ( their suit ) , shows stiff heart and slam interest in unspecified suit. Bid 3NT with severe duplication in hearts or accept transfer otherwise

3♥=transfer to spades
3♠= Minors or minor ( relay to 3NT)
3NT, 4NT =Natural
4♣= Gerber
4♥= Transfer to 4♠   (If followed by 4NT=Keycard Blackwood)

Opener       Partner        Responder        You
2♠              2NT             Pass                   ?

3♣= Stayman   

3♦=  Transfer to  3♥

3♥ = Transfer to spades ( their suit ) , shows stiff spade and slam interest in unspecified suit. Bid 3NT with severe duplication in spades or accept transfer otherwise
3♠ = Minors or minor ( relay to 3NT)
3NT, 4NT= Natural
4♣ = Gerber
4♦=  Transfer to 4♥ (If followed by 4NT=Keycard Blackwood)

Tom Gandolfo had a hand tonight that fits the system perfectly. Kx x Q10xxxx AQxx The auction went a weak 2♥ and I overcalled 2NT. Tom could bid 3♠ which relays to 3NT and shows minor sequences after that. However there is slam in this hand only if there is no extreme duplication of value in hearts. Transferring into their suit is a tool to find that out. Tom bids 3♦ and I accept the transfer to 3♥ telling him I do not have severe duplication of value in hearts. Tom bids 4♦ and I bid 4♥ Q bidding to say I like diamonds. Tom bids 4NT and I bid 5♣ showing 1 or 4 Aces . Tom bids 5NT specific king ask ( I should not hold the heart king on this auction) and I bid 6♣. Tom bids 7♦ and I come down with

Axx Axx AKx Kxxx and we have 13 tricks !!!