jillybean Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 (P) 1♦ (1♥)* * constructive 4+ More and more I see poeple using this explanation. What exactly does 'constructive' mean in an auction and is it a standard, acceptable method of describing bids? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finch Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 There is a style, that used to be very common in England (and quite possibly is or was elsewehre) of making overcalls on complete rubbish, albeit usually with an OK suit. Say, xx KQxxx xxx xxx as a 1H overcall of 1D. [This is quite a common method in ladies' bridge. Don't ask me why.] This type of overcall is combined with intermediate jump overcalls; making a simple overcall about 4/5 HCP upwards. Some people think it's correct to overcall even lighter but I would say that is not a generally accepted method and should be alerted (in the ACBL, pre-alerted I believe). Calling the 1H overcall constructive says that they aren't playing this style, they are playing the more common modern method of "sound" or "constructive" overcalls, where a minimum 1H overcall of 1D would be the above hand plus an extra ace (roughly). Fashions come and go. Lauria/Versace also (last I saw) have this very light overcalling style, but it's a probably in a minority in top level bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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