WHO OVERCALLED MY CALL?

Some Basics
1. “Call” = any bid, double, redouble or pass.
2. “Overcall” = a call/bid made “over” (higher than) a call made by an opponent.
      a. “Direct” = made by next player in rotation.
            Example: North calls and East bids (a “direct” overcall).
      b. “Balancing” = made by player seated to the right of the opener after two intervening passes.
            Example: North calls; East passes; South passes and West bids (a “balancing” overcall).
3. Player Terminology:
    a. Player who opens = “opener”.
    b. Opener’s partner = “responder”.
    c. “Overcaller’s” partner = “advancer”.
Example: E = 1♦  (opener)S = 1♥  (overcaller)W = 1♠ (responder); N = 2♥  (advancer)
4. Objectives 

    a. To signal an opening lead.
    b. To obstruct opponents’ bidding
    c. To compete for at least a partscore contract.
5. Five Overcalls for Review in this P2L
    a. Simple (meaning “non-jump”) Suit Overcall
    b. Notrump Overcall
    c. Jump Overcall
    d. Michaels Cuebid Overcall
    e. Unusual Notrump Overcall

Simple Suit Overcall
1. Situation 1

    a. E deals and opens 1♦ ; your side is vulnerable.
    b. In S you hold ♠Q32 ♥ AKT75 ♦ T2 ♣ T93
    c. Here’s the question = should you make a one-level overcall of 1♥?
    d. Use this checklist to help determine your decision…
        1) ____ Do you have between 7 (some prefer 8 or 9) and 17 (some prefer 16) HCP?
            (NOTE: Should S have opening point count of 12 – 14HCP, many first employ a Take-out
              Double {1♦  by E; DBL by S} and then bid their suit on the next round.)
        2) ____ Do you have a good-quality (usually defined as 2 of top 3 or 3 of top 5 honors)
            five-card or longer suit?
    e. If the answer is “yes” to both, then overcall in your five-card suit; here = 1♥ 
    f. A “conservative” approach to making an overcall at the one-level is 10 – 5 – 2:
       1) 10HCP with 5 cards in the bid suit and at least 2 honors in that suit.
    g. Other points
        1) Be aware of your side’s vulnerability as you make your decision.
            a) Favorable = they are; you are not. Overcaller might be more aggressive.
            b) Equal = both vulnerable or both non-vulnerable. Overcaller could be somewhat aggressive.
            c) Unfavorable = you are; they are not. Overcaller should be more conservative.
        2) At what bidding level are you making your overcall?
            a) Are you comfortable playing the hand at that level should all pass?
            b) Might your overcall put your side at too high a level if partner has no support?

       3) Is partner a passed hand? (Not the case here with South’s Direct Overcall.)
           a) Partner would be showing less than opening strength (normally <12HCP). If your hand has
               8HCP, your side might have a combined total of 19HCP.
           b) Opponents could be holding 21HCP perhaps, and the opener holds opening strength.
           c) Ex: partnerPass; LHO1♥ ; your side is vulnerable; is your making a 1♠ overcall a good
                idea if you hold 8HCP? An AKJT85 spade suit might require mentioning.
      4) A good rule is: the weaker your hand, the better your suit should be.

 2. Situation 2
      a. N deals and opens 1♠; your side has unfavorable vulnerability.
      b. E (your partner) passes; S passes; You??
      c. Should you make a two-level overcall of 2♥  holding ♠A6; ♥ AJT973; ♦ K96; ♣43?
   

d. Your checklist…
1) ____ Do you have between 12 (some prefer 13) and 17 (some prefer 16) HCP?
2) ____ Do you have a good-quality (2 of top 3 or 3 of top 5 honors), five-card or longer
suit?
(NOTE: some prefer at least six-card suit for a two-level overcall.)
e. If the answer is “yes” to both, then overcall in your five-card suit; here = 2♥.
f. A “conservative” approach to making an overcall at the two-level is 13 – 6 – 2.
1) 13HCP with 6 cards in the bid suit and at least 2 honors in that suit.
g. Other points
1) Your side’s vulnerability here is unfavorable. This overcall should promise a near-opening
hand PLUS a good six-card suit.
2) The two-level bid required should be comfortable to play should all pass.
3) Partner is a passed hand in this Balancing Overcall. Remember this should partner
advance.
Some Considerations for Advancer
1. Partner is an “overcaller” (not an opener) who could have as few as 7 or 8HCP at the
one level and as few as 12 or 13HCP at the two level.
2. Partnership agreement required: if you have support for overcaller’s/partner’s suit, should you
use HCP only or HCP as well as dummy (short-suit) points and/or length points to value your
hand? Many conservative players prefer HCP only, because this is a competitive bidding situation.
3. Partnership agreement required: is a new suit bid by advancer forcing or non-forcing?
Ex: E1♦; Partner1♥; WPass; You (advancing with a new suit)1♠--normally is “non-forcing”.
4. Basics for Advancing an Overcall
a. Pass with a bad hand (0 – 5 HCP)
b. Raise partner’s MAJOR suit with support. You are looking for a major-suit-fit.
1) Partner overcalls 1♠.
2) You hold ♠Q85 ♥AJ8 ♦53 ♣T6432
a) With between 6 - 9HCP and three-card support for partner’s major suit,
comfortably advance with a simple raise to 2♠.
b) This is the same thinking as “responding” with a one-level raise to an “opening” bid by
partner.
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Ex: partner opens 1♥; RHOPass; holding three hearts with 7HCP you respond 2♥.
Here: opponent might open 1♣; partner overcalls1♠; RHOPass; with three spades and
7HCP you “advance” partner’s overcall with a simple raise 2♠.
3) You hold ♠QJ85 ♥AJ8 ♦K3 ♣6432
a) Jump-raise with 10 – 12HCP and four-card support for partner’s major suit.
c. Cue bidding opponent’s suit whether partner overcalled in a major or a minor suit.
1) When to cue bid?
a) Holding 10 - 11+HCP with at least three-card trump support for partner’s suit;
b) Holding 12+HCP without support for partner’s suit and bidding NT is not possible.
2) East1♠; Partner2♦ WestPass; You???
3) You hold ♠83 ♥T72 ♦AQ2 ♣KQT952
a) This hand has 11HCP and three-card diamond support.
b) Cue-bidding 2♠ (opp’s suit) might be considered a better bid here than bidding 3♦.
4) Overcaller (partner) knowing Advancer has support just might consider jumping to game.
5) Interference from responder should not alter meaning of advancer’s bids.
a) East opens 1♥; partner overcalls1♠; West responds 2♦; advancer with 11+points and at
least three ♠, should consider a 2♥ cue-bid (a more economical bid here than 3♦).
d. Show your own MAJOR suit of at least five, quality cards. Denies support for overcaller’s suit.
1) Partner overcalls 1♠
2) You hold ♠J6 ♥KQ753 ♦T76 ♣KJ2
a) With between 10 and 12HCP and no support for partner’s overcalled major, bid your
own good five-plus card major suit. Advancer is bidding a NEW suit.
b) Most play this non-jump advance as “non-forcing”. However, a jump to a new suit is
often considered natural and “forcing” as advancer’s way of showing a good hand.
c) Partnership is still looking for that major-suit fit.
e. Bid NT with a stopper in opponent’s suit and a balanced hand. Denies support for
overcaller’s suit.
1) Partner overcalls 1♠
2) You hold ♠76 ♥AJ8 ♦AQ9 ♣T8432—no ♠ support and a) A balanced hand with between 8 – 11HCP and a stopper in opponent’s suit, bid 1NT.
b) With a balanced hand and 12 - 13HCP and a stopper in opponent’s suit, bid 2NT.
c) A balanced hand and 14+HCP with a stopper in opponent’s suit, bid 3NT.
f. Raise partner’s minor suit with support
1) East1♠; Partner2♦ WestPass; You???
2) You hold ♠83 ♥T72 ♦KT2 ♣KQT92
a) General rule, after partner overcalls in a minor and you have no quality, five-card major of
your own and you can’t bid NT due to no stopper in opponent’s bid suit: raise partner’s
minor with support before bidding your own minor.
b) Partner has promised at least five♦. Consider raising to 3♦ rather than mentioning your ♣.
g. Show your own minor suit. Denies support for partner’s suit.
1) East1♠; Partner2♦ WestPass; You???
2) You hold ♠83 ♥K72 ♦Q2 ♣AQT952
a) You can’t support partner’s ♦, nor bid ♠ or ♥, nor bid NT; bid your own quality minor suit.
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No Trump Overcalls
1. Basic Rules For a 1 No Trump Overcall
a. How many high card points?
…15 – 17 HCP, the same strength as an opening 1NT. (NOTE: some prefer 16 – 18HCP.)
Reason: because opponent’s opening of one-of-any-suit may show 12+HCP and a
competitive auction is underway; your side will need extra strength to play in NT.
…12 – 15HCP in “balancing seat” (meaning opponent’s opening is followed by two passes)
…15 – 18HCP with stoppers in opponents’ two suits if overcall is by fourth seat after both
opps have bid.
Ex: W1♣; N (partner)pass; W1♠; S (you as overcaller)1NT requires ♣ + ♠ stoppers.
b. Hand shape?
…Balanced (or flat) with no voids nor singletons and no more than one (maybe two) doubletons.
c. Hand quality?
1) At least one stopper (A, K or Q preferably) in opponent’s suit.
a) With a minimum stopper hand with too few HCP; use caution if vulnerable.
Ex: ♠Ax ♥Kxx ♦Jxxx ♣Axxx
b) A better stopper hand, balanced with 17HCP= ♠Kxx ♥Qxx ♦KQx ♣AQJx
d. Basics for Advancing an No Trump Overcall
1) Simply treat an No Trump Overcall the same as a No Trump opening
2) This means “Systems On” such as Stayman and Jacoby transfers.
2. Basic Rules For 2 No Trump Overcall
a. After opponents open the bidding at the one-level.
1) Unusual Notrump Convention can be employed. (SEE BELOW)
b. After opponent’s weak-two opening, a 2NT overcall
1) Is natural with a balanced hand
2) Requires a stopper in opponent’s suit
3) Point range should be a bit stronger than 1NT opening (16 – 19HCP)
4) In balancing seat range lessens to 13 – 16HCP.
5) “Systems On” = Stayman and Jacoby transfers--only now at the three-level.
Ex: W2♦; Partner2NT (overcall); EPass; You3♣ (Stayman) or 3♥ (transfer♠).
3. Basic Rules for 3 No Trump Overcall
a. After opponent’s three-level, preemptive opener. Ex: E3♥; Youovercall 3NT.
1) Guarantees at least one stopper in hearts.
2) Shows a strong 16 – 20HCP, balanced hand.
3) Partner does not often advance, but Systems On if done: 4♣ (Stayman); 4♦ (transfer♥).
b. A jump overcall always shows a very strong hand (20+HCP)
Ex: E1♥; Partner3NT (shows a powerful, balanced hand).
Jump Overcalls (Skips one level of bidding like 1♥ by opener followed by 2♠, 3♣ or 3♦ by overcaller)
1. Basic Rules
a. This is normally played as a “weak” bid showing a long, strong suit with few, if any, tricks in the
other suits.
b. How many HCP?
1) Usually 5 - 9
c. Hand shape?
1) Unbalanced with six or more cards
2) Like ♠KQT853 ♥643 ♦Q75 ♣4
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d. Suit quality?
…At least two of the top three honors (A,K or Q) or three of top five honors (A,K,Q, J or T).
Other Overcalls
Michaels Cue Bid Overcall or “Michaels”
1. Basic Rules (NOTE: this artificial convention is NOT alertable; it is forcing for one round.)
a. How many high card points?
1) About eight; suit quality is more important.
2) Preemptive in “nature”; i.e. make life difficult for opponents.
(NOTE: should Michaels overcaller have a strong hand, a jump to game might be her
second bid following partner’s advance which will show partner’s preference for either of
overcaller’s suits.
b. Hand shape?
...Used to show a two-suited hand with at least five cards in each suit.
c. Suit quality?
…At least one top honor (A,K or Q) in both suits.
2. “Michaels” Bidding Scheme
a. Overcaller bids opener’s suit: such as 1♣ (opener)2♣ (overcaller) or 1♥2♥.
b. Two “normal” situations
1) Over opponent’s minor opening, this cue bid shows both majors.
Example: Over 1♣ (or 1♦) opening by N, E cuebids 2 ♣ (or 2♦) showing five spades and
five hearts. 1♣ (opener)2♣ (overcaller) could show ♠AQxxx ♥Kxxxx ♦Qx ♣x
2) Over opponent’s major opening, this cue bid shows the other major and an
unspecified minor.
Example: Over 1♠ (opener)2♠ (overcaller) could show ♠xx ♥AKxxx ♦J ♣QJxxx
3. Memory Keys for Michaels
a. Here are the ONLY possible Michaels cuebids
1) 1♣ (opponent)2♣ (Michaels overcaller) shows 5♠ and 5♥
2) 1♦ (opponent)2♦ (Michaels overcaller) shows 5♠ and 5♥
3) 1♥ (opponent)2♥ (Michaels overcaller) shows 5♠ and either 5♣ or 5♦.
4) 1♠ (opponent)2♠ (Michaels overcaller) shows 5♥ and either 5♣ or 5♦.
b. See how every Michaels cuebid points to at least one MAJOR suit?
c. Memory key: Think “Michaels is for the MAJORS”.
Unusual Notrump Overcall or “Unusual”
1. Basic Rules (NOTE: this artificial convention is NOT alertable; it is forcing for one round.)
a. Used to show a two-suited hand with at least five cards in the two lowest-ranked,
unbid suits.
b. How many high card points?
1) Shows a preemptive, fairly weak hand if not vulnerable.
Ex: ♠85 ♥2 ♦KJ943 ♣QJT52; Bidding = East1♠ or 1♥; You2NT “unusual”.
2) If vulnerable, maybe something like ♠K5 ♥2 ♦KJ943 ♣QJT52—add an extra, top honor.
3) However, this great hand fits “unusual” as well: ♠7 ♥3 ♦AKQJ943 ♣AQJ982.
c. Suit quality?
1) Vulnerability is a key issue.
2) In favorable a hand such as ♠5 ♥KJ872 ♦QJ9432 ♣2 is fine should opps open 1♣.
3) In unfavorable require more such as ♠A ♥KQ872 ♦KQ9432 ♣2, more top honors (A, K or
Q) in both suits with an outside Ace.
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2. “Unusual” Bidding Scheme
a. Overcaller jumps to 2NT following opponent’s one-level opening.
(NOTE: not used after a weak-two opening by opps (2♦, 2♥, 2♠); 2NT here is “usual” showing
stopper in their suit and a balanced hand “usually” with 15 – 18HCP).
b. Stated another way:
1) A 2NT jump overcall of opponent’s minor, one-level opening shows five ♥ and five of the
OTHER minor.
2) A 2NT jump overcall of opponent’s major, one-level opening shows five and five in
both minors.
3. Memory Keys for Unusual 2NT
a. Most frequently employed Unusual 2NT bids
1) 1♣ (opponent)2NT (Unusual overcaller) shows 5♦ and 5♥ (the two lowest unbid suits)
2) 1♦ (opponent)2NT (Unusual overcaller) shows 5♣ and 5♥ (the two lowest unbid suits)
3) 1♥ (opponent)2NT (Unusual overcaller) shows 5♣ and 5♦ (the two lowest unbid suits)
4) 1♠ (opponent)2NT (Unusual overcaller) shows 5♣ and 5♦ (the two lowest unbid suits)
b. See how every Unusual 2NT overcall points to at least one MINOR suit?
c. Memory key: Think “Unusual is for the MINORS”.
d. Side note: Unusual 2NT will NEVER POINT TO SPADES. Reckon that’s why the name?
The Basics for Advancing “Michaels” and “Unusual”
1. These bids are “forcing” for one round. Overcaller cannot pass UNLESS opponent interferes.
2. Advancer should assume role as Captain on this hand looking for the best trump suit
a. By a simple raise in one of overcaller’s two suits even holding less than three-card support.
a) Overcaller usually passes after this raise with a weak, preemptive type hand.
b) Overcaller might bid again with a stronger hand like ♠5 ♥4 ♦AKQJ2 ♣AQJ982.
b. By a jump raise in one of partner’s suits. This is preemptive, not invitational. 3. Advancing in NT is good ONLY when advancer has stoppers in the two suits overcaller has
shortness in.
Ex: East1♦; Overcaller2♦ (Michaels showing 5 x 5 in majors); WestPass; Advancer2NT
(This advance in NT shows a balanced hand that MUST have stoppers in ♦ and ♣.)