Overcall Structure

[Chamaco]

Hi all,

I have just downloaded from Dan Neill's site the notes of the "Overcall structure" (OS).

 

I would appreciate a brief outline of what one gains and loses in adopting this structure.

 

Some of the specific details I am interested are:

- the OS recommends NT as takeout, is the OS compatible with Raptor (Ben??)

- the OS recommends jump responses to simple overcall as mini-splinters and single up the line new suit as fitshowing; do ytou think this works better as compared to the Robson/Segal scheme ?

- OS recomments Roman Jump Overcalls, how much do you think this is better or worse as compared to one suited preemptive JO ?

- OS recommends the range for 2 suited cuebids/RJO (as well as 1NT t/o) as very wide (6-15), is this not too wide for advancer to take a decision ?

 

Thanks all !

[Rado]

Hi Chamaco,

interesting theme to discuss:-)

1. NT overcall - in OS its pure T/O 3+ cards in unbid, in Raptor may have 5-4 two suiter without support for 3rd unbid suit

disadvantages:

--1.1 placing probable 1NT contract wrong sided (and usually 1 down due to lead through the stopper)

--1.2 getting level too high when partner is weak (1♥-DBL in standart vs 1♥-1NT in OS)

--1.3 - missing the opportunity for penalty pass to the standart T/O DBL (this one I may accept if to be honest)

advantages:

---1.1 free to bid 1NT (OS) with void ( std T/O dbl might be passed with dubious result when bettter place available)

---1.2 after further preempt e.g. 1♠-1NT-3♠-? responder knows the shape (3+ unbid) while after std T/O there are different possibilities

 

next questions tomorrow since time to sleep here:-))))))))))

Rado

[mikestar]

OS is not compatible with Raptor, but as alternative bids are available for these hands, that's OK. The 1N takeout can wrongside a NT contract but against that it is much easier to pass the power double for penalties--there is virtually never a good penalty pass of a normal takewout double.

 

In general playing the OS you will lose constructive accuracy--you will miss games. The tradeoff is that you can intervene in many more enemy auctions with comparative safety.

 

One point that not all treatments cover well--when playing OS, forget everthing you learned about balancing. Since you can bid most shapely 6-counts in direct seat, passing the opening bid tends to show real garbage. (Opener's side gets back some of the points it loses to agressive competition here.)

[inquiry]

Hi,

 

I played overcall structure for 4 years. I like it just fine for matchpoints. You create swings. I like to give it to parnters who tend to sit there like a log and not bid after opponents open. Playing OS you can bid and bid and bid.

 

As you can imagine, this sometimes works out badly. In fact, I eventually stopped playing it vulnerable at imps. Too many four digit loses. Finally, I gave it up entirely for Robson Segals approach, which works better for me.

 

Advantageds" You can enter auctions easly, You create swings at matchpoints, the larger part of them seems to be in your favor

 

Disadvatages, too frequent bid negative numbers, maybe bigger, if you make the 1

NT overcall (being weak), and they get to play the hand, they know too much about your strenght and distribution. And of course, the wrong sided issues talked earlier.

 

IT is fun to play. If your parnter refuses to enter auctions, get him to play OS for a while.. then switch to something more normal... now he will find ways to enter the auctions becuase he is use to bidding on very limited values.

 

(sorry if this doesn't make sense... It is late. I may edit after I get some sleep.

 

Ben

 

Ben