Overcall? Double?

[gwnn]

[hv=d=e&v=b&s=stxxxxxhxdxxcajxx]133|100|Scoring: MP

(1♦)-?[/hv]

[hv=d=e&v=b&s=stxxxxxhxdxxcajxx]133|100|Scoring: MP

(1♦)-?[/hv]

[hv=d=e&v=b&s=stxxxxxhxdxxcajxx]133|100|Scoring: MP

(1♦)-?[/hv]

[awm]

On the first, I like to bid 1♠, at least with partners who don't view overcalls as a demand to lead my suit.

 

On the others I tend to pass. I find that making a light takeout double opposite a passed hand is more likely to get us in trouble and/or help opponents bid and play the hand than really accomplish something.

[han]

1. 1S

 

2. Pass, wtp?

 

3. Pass, although I wouldn't laugh at 2C.

[pclayton]

1♠, pass, pass.

[P_Marlowe]

#1 Pass, it is more the question Pass or 1S,

and for me the answer is PASS

I may still be able to bid 2S later in

a reopening position.

 

#2 X, but partner needs to know, that

you make light t/o X, playing with

a stranger the answer is Pass

 

#3 X, but with the same added remarks as

in #2

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[whereagles]

I bid in all of them :)

 

1. 2♠ (pass at imps)

2. Dbl (should be ok with a passed pard)

3. 2♣ for the lead (pass at imps)

[Winstonm]

P (2S NV, though)

P

2C - perfect time for this bid. Takes maximum room. Partner is more likely not to take this particular overcall as seriously as others. Any other lead by partner will cost a trick, it appears. And it is matchpoints, isn't it?

[rogerclee]

1) 1S. 6-4 is an enticing shape.

 

2) I think pass is obvious. If it goes 2S back to me, I'll have an easy double. If it goes 4S back to me, I'll be glad I passed.

 

3) Pass. I'd rather x than bid 2C; in fact, I don't really understand what it has going for it. If partner takes any action except pass throughout (well ok, 2S wouldn't be so bad), I am going to be extremely unhappy about overcalling.

[han]

Let's see, what could bidding AKQx have going for it?

[rogerclee]

Well, the phrasing was poor. What I meant was that I think the cons of 2C (partner actually taking this bid seriously) greatly outweigh the pros (lead direction, which may not be important anyway).

[matmat]

Let's see, what could bidding AKQx have going for it?

opps will know which way to take ruffing finesses in clubs?

[han]

Well, the phrasing was poor. What I meant was that I think the cons of 2C (partner actually taking this bid seriously) greatly outweigh the pros (lead direction, which may not be important anyway).

I said I would pass but your arguments for it are so bad that I end up defending 2C. Lead directing is one of the pros, the other is that a 2C overcall makes it more difficult for the opponents to bid constructively.

[Winstonm]

Well, the phrasing was poor. What I meant was that I think the cons of 2C (partner actually taking this bid seriously) greatly outweigh the pros (lead direction, which may not be important anyway).

I will give my viewpoints, although you are free to disagree.

 

First, this is matchpoints, so a +10 difference in scoring is critical.

 

Second, there are two occasions where it pays to stretch to overcall: when the opponents open 1C and you can bid 1S, or when the opponents open 1D and you can bid 2D. Why? It takes away maximum room and forces the use of a negative double instead of a normal, unmolested bid.

 

Third, my good partner knows and is aware of #1 and #2, so he isn't likely to hang me over overcalling 1C with 1S or overcalling 1D with 2C at matchpoints, especially NV vs Vul.

 

Fourth, my opponent opened 1D, making it much more likely that my LHO will end up declaring any major-suit game contract they might reach. I do NOT want partner to underlead a side K or Q - I want a club lead.

 

Fifth, my good trumps make a penalty double unlikely.

 

Sixth, the opponents may miss a lay-down 3N for fear of no club stopper.

 

So, what are the downsides to 2C?

 

My partner may overestimate his hand and we get a zero.

 

I don't know about you, but I like the 6-1 odds for bidding in this spot.

[jdonn]

1) 1S. This of course depends on style, but I usually play with partner's who won't X or do something silly because I overcalled at the 1 level, and if they go crazy they will usually have a fit (in which case I have a good hand). Sure if they have 16 balanced I will end up too high but that happens rarely. The advantages of bidding are to get in and compete and not face a guess later on whether to balance/compete. Partner may be able to preempt them further even if he can only bid 2S, or we may find a big fit game or save that wouldn't be found otherwise. Some like to overcall 2S on this hand but I find that way too risky.

 

2) Pass.

 

3) 2C. At MP the lead is so ridiculously important on a hand like this, and it also preempts them a little. If partner saves it will probably be bad but who knows, maybe it will be only 500.

[miguelm]

Pass. I hate to bid 1E just to find out later (while defending against 3NT) Clubs were the best lead, and this is usually underlined by partner's remark "Pard, I had a natural Club lead" :)

 

Pass.

 

2C, but only because this is MPs :)

[Codo]

Pass. I hate to bid 1E just to find out later (while defending against 3NT) Clubs were the best lead, and this is usually underlined by partner's remark "Pard, I had a natural Club lead" :)

 

Pass.

 

2C, but only because this is MPs :)

agreed to all three

[ArtK78]

I would pass all three, but if I had to bid on any of them it would be 2♣ on the AKQx on the third hand.

[jugarul]

I learned that PAS is the best bid,always when you think to chose betwen PAS and something smart or something...

[the hog]

1S, pass and pass.

[Cascade]

I pass all of these hands.

 

I might bid 1♠ on the first hand if I wasn't vulnerable.

[han]

I learned that PAS is the best bid,always when you think to chose betwen PAS and something smart or something...

I learned that something smart is always better than following a rule.

[gwnn]

I bid 1♠ on the first one and doubled on the other two, but I must say I'm ashamed of the latter two.

 

The first auction continued

1♦-1♠-3♥("weak")-3♠

4♣-p-4♥-end

 

Declarer had a hard time believing I came in with a 4 count or thereabouts, but in the end took all the finesses through pd. ~50% (would anyone bid 4♠??? I think it would have gone for -500)

 

The second auction went

p-p-1♠-X

p-3♥-end

 

+140 was a very clear top score here, but it was a little lucky indeed.

 

The third auction went

p-p-1♥-X

2NT*-p-3♦**-p

3♥-end

 

*,**=fancy conventions that allowed them to miss the game that the whole had field bid and made. (so apparently pass and 2♣ are tied here)

 

I thought of 2♣ but I didn't have the guts for it... I can see how it's a nice bid. Plus, it's always nice to bid 2♣ over 1♦! :blink:

[joker_gib]

Pass all 3 hands...

 

I might bid 2♠ on 1st only if NV vs V