Bid or pass?

[awm]

Say you hold a 4-4-3-2 type hand in the 10-13 range, with three cards in the suit opened naturally by RHO in first seat. Would you normally bid or pass playing your favorite defensive methods? Does it matter if the opening is 1♣ or 1♠? Does it depend on the location of values?

[hrothgar]

Hi Adam

 

I didn't find an answer that quite fits my requirements

 

I won't overcall a very weak 4 card Spade suit. 5432 is right out. At the same time, I don't require a very strong one. I certainly don't need AKJ9 or some such.

 

White on red, I would (probably) bid 1♠ over RHO's 1♣ opening on

 

♠ QJ94

♥ xx

♦ KQT4

♣ K82

 

However, I'd be a lot happier if the Spades and the Diamonds were switched.

[pclayton]

I need two reasons to overcall on a 4 bagger; a good hand and a good suit. I suppose a 10 count qualifies as good enough, but QJ9x just isn't good enough. Even at green I want something like KQTx +

 

If Im in the 13-15 range or so, I don't mind making a offshape double with a doubleton in the other minor. 10-13 is a little light for this action I think.

[cherdano]

I will often double if I am in the upper end of this range and I have both majors. I will often overcall if I have a good 4-card major that I can bid at the one-level.

 

I won't vote as this just doesn't fit at all into any of your options.

[mike777]

Double in full range if NV

Double if at max of range if Vul.

[pbleighton]

I double with 13/good 12 with both majors.

 

As to overcalling with a 4 card suit at the one level, in one partnership I need a great suit, in my other partnership I'll overcall with Qxxx.

 

Peter

[the hog]

Tend to overcall a lot on 4 carders, but the suit needs to be reasonable, eg KQTx.

 

With about 11 or so and both Ms will always X a 1C or 1D opening and pretty much regardless of our holding in the opened suit and regardless of the vulnerability. You have to get in on these hands; protecting is playing the 2 handed game.

 

Adam this is why a 1NT response needs to be constructive, because if you X on light hands you can't bid 1NT on the garbage 5 counts that you suggested in a previous post.

[HeartA]

I voted for "always pass" before I carefully read the post. I thought it was between pass and dbl I would never dbl with this strength and shape). I would overcall with strong 4-carder.

[Fluffy]

I overcall 4c major, but more often when I ahve 4 of RHO's suit than when it is 3.

[Apollo81]

I would overcall a very strong 4-card suit if I held an opening hand.

ex. KQJ8 Ax xxx Kxxx

 

I would double 1♣ on some 4423 patterns. ex. AJxx KQxx xx Kxx

 

I would double 1♦ on fewer 4432 patterns. ex. KQ9x KQ9x xxx Kx

[Guest Jlall]

I would overcall a very strong 4-card suit if I held an opening hand.

ex. KQJ8 Ax xxx Kxxx

 

I would double 1♣ on some 4423 patterns. ex. AJxx KQxx xx Kxx

 

I would double 1♦ on fewer 4432 patterns. ex. KQ9x KQ9x xxx Kx

ditto

[dake50]

Vs 1C that is 2-7C, 0-5D, 0-4H, 0-5S, 12-21hcp, anything goes. I especially like the Overcall Structure over 1C so ambiguous. Many jumps on shape.

Vs 1S the chances opponents will MIS-bid= land in the wrong strain is minute. They already announce their most likely game suit. The hope left is OVER/UNDER-bid. Not likely especially with only 4 card suits. Competing vs. 1S leaves much more to reopening.

[han]

I will often double if I am in the upper end of this range and I have both majors. I will often overcall if I have a good 4-card major that I can bid at the one-level.

 

I won't vote as this just doesn't fit at all into any of your options.

Exactly my thoughts.

[mikeh]

I would overcall a very strong 4-card suit if I held an opening hand. 

ex. KQJ8 Ax xxx Kxxx

 

I would double 1♣ on some 4423 patterns. ex. AJxx KQxx xx Kxx

 

I would double 1♦ on fewer 4432 patterns. ex. KQ9x KQ9x xxx Kx

ditto

ditto, ditto