OVERCALLS

Partner has made an overcall. How good is it?

It will be a good suit. You have agreed to play disciplined bidding

It could be anything from 7 points (AQJxx) at the one level, up to a big hand holding16 points plus.

You do not know, right?

Then tell him YOUR hand so he knows how far to go.

Responding to an overcall from your partner

WITH support

1. With 6 to 9 points and 3 card support –make a simple raise

2. With 6 to 9 points and 4 card support-Jump raise

3. With min 10 points 3-card support -Cue bid the opponents suit

1♦--1♥--P--2♦

4. With min 10 points 4-card support-Jump cue the opponents suit

 1♦--1♥--P--3♦

5. With good 5/6 card suit AND 3 card support for his suit make a Jump bid in your side suit  

1♦--1♥--P--3♣

WITHOUT support( poor doubleton or worse)

6. With good 6 card suit—bid it as non forcing

7. With stops in opps suit and 11/12 points bid 1NT
8. After a double of your partner’s bid—Redouble to show 10 points+ (ideally in the other 2 suits).

If you have been fortunate enough to find a double fit in 2 suits, then you should strain to buy the hand.