Overcalling 4 card suits NV

[Guest Jlall]

As opposed to that you gain a lot, mainly being a pest to the opps (this is why this type of bid is much better against weak opps, say at the club), you get a lead director in, etc.

Like you need help against weak opps? :)

 

Would you be less inclined to do this against experts (with an expert pard)

Yes I am less inclined to do this against better opponents, and I am much more inclined to do it at pairs than in a knockout.

 

As for who I do it with, it doesn't really have anything to do with their skill level. With a partner like jdonn who is an expert but terrible about doubling the opponents because you bid etc, I would do less of this. With a different expert, like Ron Smith, who rarely doubles the opponents and gives you lots of leeway for your bidding and is more inclined to field this type of thing when the auction from the opps dictate it, I would be more inclined to do it. With a conservative client who is very timid in the bidding and doesn't X and won't really take inferences in the play because of your bid I would be most likely to do this, etc.

[CSGibson]

I would like to ask if it is relevant to anyone else except me as to whether partner has had a chance to bid or not. I'm much more likely to overcall on a bad hand with a 4 card suit if partner is limited.

 

It seems to me that the three purposes of bidding are to advance your own auction, preempt their auction, and help set the defense. When partner is a passed hand and you are weak, you might as well concentrate your bidding on preempting auctions and setting the defense. The spade suit looks much more lead directional than anything else and has small preemptive value, so I wouldn't object if you overcalled it.

 

Playing this style it is much more likely that partner will also pinpoint their values when bidding on rather than simply raising 1 spade to 2 spades, also helping set the defense.

[helene_t]

QJ9x would do if I really need to bid and can't think of anything else, say

(1♦)-?

QJ9x-Ax-xxx-AKxx

 

Make the 9 the 8 and I would either pass or double.