Fout's Overcall Structure

[Rossoneri]

One of my regular partners suggested using Fout's Overcall Structure.

 

I more or less got the gist of it, but would just like to know what are the thoughts of the more advanced players who have read it before.

 

One idea my partner raised up is to play it only at non-vul, to facilitate more constructive auctions at vul.

[pclayton]

There's a couple of us that play it on here. I've played it in 2 partnerships going back to about 2001.

 

By the way, John Fout wrote up the article many years ago, but he does not play it now. John Twining and another player from Northern California developed it in the mid 80's I believe.

 

I don't know of anyone that plays the 1 level and 3 level overcalls as suggested. For one thing, the 1N 'lebensohl' was determined to be non-GCC, although I haven't looked at that issue in a couple of years with the approval of transfer advances.

 

The double jump overcalls are sort of silly. There's a point where you need to preempt the auction with as single suiter.

 

The 1NTO, power double and roman jump overcalls are great to use, and there's not much you need to tweak. Most now play Herbert Negatives in response to power doubles, and this makes sense, on balance.

 

PM me and I will send you my system notes.

 

By the way, I know Dan Neill's web site advocates it only NV, but I disagree. You just need to tighten up the bids when you are vul.

[dake50]

OS rather clearly differentiates the obstruct hands from the compete/construct hands and gets distribution announced early.