Two-suited overcalls
This chapter continues Precise Michaels and the unusual notrump: how advancer answers them, how the overcaller rebids, and how Wbridge5’s opening side handles the same bids from the opponents. The ranges come from probing Wbridge5 5.12 on about 300 boards per auction, none vulnerable, with every 10% tail cut. Ranges are in points, except where marked HCP.
Advancing a two-suiter
Advancer picks a suit at a level by strength. The cheapest bid in a suit is weak, a jump invites, and game is bid directly. The cuebid of opener’s suit is the only strong bid below game.
Choice of suit
- Two majors: The longer major; hearts with equal length.
- Major and minor: The major with 3+ cards; otherwise the minor.
- Two minors: The longer minor; clubs with equal length.
For example, ♠82 ♥A53 ♦K943 ♣10532 bids 2♥ over (1♣) 2♦ (P), and ♠Q3 ♥Q982 ♦A10983 ♣74 bids 3♥ there.
Over (1m) 2♦
| (1♣) 2♦! (P) | |
|---|---|
| 2♥♠ | 4–12, 2+# |
| 3♣! | Cuebid, 15–20 |
| 3♥♠ | INV, 8–13, 3+# |
| 4♥♠ | 12–19, 3+# |
| 4NT! | Blackwood, 17+ |
For example, ♠10876 ♥AJ3 ♦Q1094 ♣Q5 bids 3♠, ♠KQ54 ♥K2 ♦KQ876 ♣107 bids 4♠, and ♠AK8 ♥K1073 ♦KQ932 ♣9 cuebids 3♣. Natural 2NT (2 boards) and 3♦ (1 board) are too rare to table.
The overcaller answers 4NT as plain Blackwood, counting aces only, since no major is agreed yet. Probing Wbridge5 5.12 shows 5♣ for 0 or 3 aces, 5♦ for 1, and 5♥ for 2 on all 300 boards. For example, ♠AJ862 ♥KQ942 ♦4 ♣92 bids 5♦ over (1♣) 2♦ (P) 4NT.
Over a double, advancer never passes or redoubles. The same hands bid the same suit, but 34 of the 82 4♥♠ bids drop to 3♥♠.
When RHO bids instead, advancer’s pass denies 3 cards in either major, and a double shows 3 cards in the major RHO bid.
| (1♣) 2♦! (2♥) | |
|---|---|
| P | 3–14, usually 0–2♥ and 0–2♠ |
| X | 6–14, usually 3=♥ and 0–3♠ |
| 2♠ | 5–16, 3♠ |
| 3♣! | Cuebid, 13+ HCP |
| 3♥ | 6–16, 4+♥ |
| 3♠ | 6–15, 4+♠ |
| 4♥♠ | 9–20 |
Over (1♥) 2♥
| (1♥) 2♥! (P) | |
|---|---|
| 2♠ | 3–10, 2+♠ |
| 3♣ | 4–12, 0–2♠ |
| 3♥! | Cuebid, 15–21 |
| 3♠ | INV, 8–12, 3+♠ |
| 3NT | 13–19 HCP, 0–2♠ |
| 4♣ | 8–14, 0–2♠, 3+♣ |
| 4♠ | 12–17, 3+♠ |
| 4NT | 18+ |
| 5♣ | 14–19, 0–2♠, 4+♣ |
For example, ♠82 ♥A53 ♦K943 ♣10532 bids 3♣ and ♠A6 ♥A103 ♦J8752 ♣J75 bids 4♣. With ♠– ♥KQJ5432 ♦KQ843 ♣J, advancer passes the cuebid.
Over (1M) 3♣
The 3♣ overcall shows diamonds and the other major. Advancer with 3 cards in that major usually bids game at once.
| (1♥) 3♣! (P) | |
|---|---|
| 3♦ | 8–18, 0–2♠ |
| 3♥! | Cuebid, 12–20 |
| 3♠ | 6–13, 2+♠ |
| 3NT | 13–21 HCP, 1–2♠ |
| 4♦ | 8–12, 0–2♠, 3+♦ |
| 4♠ | 9–15, 3+♠ |
| 5♦ | 13–17, 0–2♠, 3+♦ |
For example, ♠10876 ♥AJ3 ♦Q1094 ♣Q5 bids 4♠ and ♠Q3 ♥Q982 ♦A10983 ♣74 bids 4♦.
Over the unusual 2NT
| (1♠) 2NT! (P) | |
|---|---|
| 3♣♦ | 7–15 |
| 3♠! | Cuebid, 14–20 |
| 3NT | 14–19 HCP |
| 4♣♦ | 8–13, 3+# |
| 5♣♦ | 13–19, 3+# |
| 4NT | 16+ |
| (1♣) 2NT! (P) | |
|---|---|
| 3♣! | Cuebid, 12–19 |
| 3♦ | 9–15, 0–2♥ |
| 3♥ | 6–13 HCP, 2–4♥ |
| 4♦ | 9–14, 0–2♥, 3+♦ |
| 4♥ | 9–15, 3+♥ |
| 5♦ | 14–18, 0–2♥, 3+♦ |
| 4NT | 17+ |
The cuebid is a catch-all forcing bid. Most cuebids hold 13+ HCP, but a few hold a long fit with less, e.g. ♠– ♥AQ10864 ♦1092 ♣9732 cuebids 3♣ over (1♣) 2NT (P).
Overcaller’s rebids
These auctions start with Wbridge5’s own (1♣) 2♦, so the overcaller holds 5+ cards in each major.
After a cuebid
The overcaller shows a stopper in opener’s suit.
| (1♣) 2♦! (P) 3♣! (P) | |
|---|---|
| 3♥ | 8–9 HCP without a ♣ stopper, or 6+♥ |
| 3♠ | 6+♠ |
| 3NT | ♣ stopper |
| 4♣! | 10+ HCP, no ♣ stopper |
| 4♥ | 6+♥, 16+ |
| 4NT | 6-5 or longer, 17+ |
For example, ♠108542 ♥KJ984 ♦9 ♣KJ bids 3NT, ♠AJ862 ♥KQ942 ♦4 ♣92 bids 4♣, and ♠J10654 ♥Q9853 ♦K ♣Q9 bids 3♥.
After 2NT or a jump
A 2NT advance is natural and invitational. The overcaller passes with 8–10 HCP and 5-5, and bids 3NT with more. A 6-card major is shown first.
| (1♣) 2♦! (P) 2NT (P) | |
|---|---|
| P | 8–10 HCP, 5-5 |
| 3♣! | 18+ |
| 3♥♠ | 6+# |
| 3NT | Usually 11+ HCP, 5-5 |
| 4♥ | 16+, 6+♥ |
Over (1♥) 2♥ (P) 2NT (P), the overcaller acts the same way: pass with 8–10 HCP, 3NT with more, and a 6-card suit at the 3-level (3♣ or 3♠) or 4♠. 2NT does not ask for the minor, which is known.
| (1♣) 2♦! (P) 3♥ (P) | |
|---|---|
| P | 11–14 |
| 3♠ | 19+ |
| 4♥ | 14+ |
For example, ♠AKQJ10 ♥A10975 ♦Q ♣K9 bids 4♥ and ♠AJ862 ♥KQ942 ♦4 ♣92 passes.
After (1X) P (1Y)
When both opponents have bid a suit, Wbridge5 has its own two-suiters. Here North acts after (1♣) P (1♥), and South (Wbridge5) advances with a hand that passed 1♣.
Double
The double shows the 2 unbid suits. Advancer answers it as a takeout double.
| (1♣) P (1♥) X (P) | |
|---|---|
| P | 3–5♥, no 4-card ♠ |
| 1♠ | 4–10, 3+♠ |
| 1NT | 9–11, ♥ stopper |
| 2♣! | Cuebid, 11 HCP (3 boards) |
| 2♦ | 5–10, 4+♦ |
| 2♠ | 8–12, 4+♠ |
| 2NT | 11 HCP |
For example, ♠10876 ♥AJ3 ♦Q1094 ♣Q5 bids 2♠ and ♠KQ4 ♥842 ♦1093 ♣AJ72 bids 1♠.
Sandwich 1NT
A passed hand’s 1NT is unusual: diamonds and spades. Advancer raises spades with 4 cards, or bids diamonds at a level set by the fit.
| P (1♣) P (1♥) 1NT! (P) | |
|---|---|
| P | 10–11 HCP, 4♥ (3 boards) |
| 2♦ | 4–11, 2–3♦, 0–3♠ |
| 2♠ | 6–12, 4+♠ |
| 3♦ | 6–11, 4–5♦ |
| 3♠ | 5♠ (4 boards) |
| 4♦ | 5–11, 5+♦ |
For example, ♠10876 ♥AJ3 ♦Q1094 ♣Q5 bids 2♠, ♠KQ4 ♥842 ♦1093 ♣AJ72 bids 2♦, and ♠Q3 ♥Q982 ♦A10983 ♣74 bids 3♦.
Cuebid of responder’s suit
Advancer takes North’s 2♥ as natural. It raises with 3+ hearts or bids 2NT.
| (1♣) P (1♥) 2♥ (P) | |
|---|---|
| P | 4–11, usually 0–2♥ |
| 2NT | 7–12 |
| 3♥ | 4–9, 3+♥ |
| 4♥ | 5–8, 4+♥ |
Opponents’ two-suiters
These auctions follow Wbridge5’s opening and the opponents’ two-suited overcall. South (Wbridge5) is responder. By default the opponents play Wbridge5’s own conventions, so (1♥) 2♥ shows spades and clubs.
Over (1M) 2M
Responder raises at once with 3+ trumps. A double shows a good hand, usually with 3+ trumps.
| 1♥ (2♥!) | |
|---|---|
| P | 6–12, usually 0–2♥ |
| X | 16–21 |
| 2♠! | Cuebid, 14–18 |
| 3♦ | 13–19, 5+♦ |
| 3♥ | 7–11, 3+♥ |
| 3♠! | Splinter, 0–1♠, 4+♥ |
| 3NT | 13–15 HCP, 2♥ |
| 4♣♦! | Splinter, 0–1#, 4+♥ |
| 4♥ | 10–13, 3+♥ |
For example, ♠AK ♥AK3 ♦K76 ♣Q10432 doubles, ♠10876 ♥AJ3 ♦Q1094 ♣Q5 bids 3♥, and ♠10743 ♥QJ1095 ♦7 ♣AJ10 bids 4♥.
The double is not a support double. It shows strength: 4 of its 45 hands held only 2 hearts, but all but 2 held 13+ HCP.
Over (1M) 2NT
| 1♥ (2NT!) | |
|---|---|
| P | 6–15, 0–2♥ |
| X | 14–17, 1–2♥ |
| 3♣! | Cuebid, 15–20, 3+♥ |
| 3♦! | Cuebid, 17–21 |
| 3♥ | 7–11, 3+♥ |
| 3♠ | 12–18, 5+♠ |
| 4♣♦! | Splinter, 0–1#, 4+♥ |
| 4♥ | 10–13, 3+♥ |
The lower cuebid is a limit raise or better. The higher one (14 boards) is a strong hand without a clear fit.
Over (1♣) 2♦
Responder never doubles 2♦.
| 1♣ (2♦!) | |
|---|---|
| P | 7–13 |
| 2♥! | Cuebid, 15–21 |
| 2♠! | Cuebid, 16–20, 0–2♠ |
| 2NT | 11–14 |
| 3♣ | 10–14, 5+♣ |
| 3♦ | 12–16, 4+♦ |
| 3NT | 13–15 HCP, BAL |
For example, ♠AK8 ♥K1073 ♦KQ932 ♣9 bids 2♥ and ♠A1053 ♥J1052 ♦A2 ♣K74 bids 2NT.
Opener reopens
| 1♥ (2♥!) P (P) | |
|---|---|
| P | 11–18 HCP |
| X | 16+, any shape |
| 2NT | 17–20 HCP, BAL (3 boards) |
| 3♦ | 14–17 HCP, 5♦ (6 boards) |
For example, ♠K82 ♥AKJ63 ♦AK82 ♣6 doubles and ♠J53 ♥AJ532 ♦K94 ♣K10 passes. The double shows extras, not a minor: 24 of its 42 hands held no 4-card minor.
Opponents’ 1NT by a passed hand
By default a passed hand’s 1NT after 1♣ P 1♥ is a Sandwich two-suiter. In SAYC and SEF it is natural. Probing Wbridge5 5.12 shows that opener’s call does not depend on which: the same 235 hands drew the same 235 calls. Opener held 12–17 HCP, 5+♣ and at most 3 cards in each major.
| P (P) 1♣ (P) 1♥ (1NT) | |
|---|---|
| P | 12–15 HCP, 5=♣ |
| X | 14+ HCP, or 12–13 HCP with 6+♣ |
| 2♣ | 12–16 HCP, 6+♣ |
| 3♣ | 14–17 HCP, 6+♣ |
For example, ♠1032 ♥J10 ♦AK6 ♣AJ983 passes, ♠J83 ♥AJ10 ♦A6 ♣A10874 doubles, ♠Q4 ♥K10 ♦A85 ♣KQJ732 bids 2♣ and ♠K84 ♥A ♦K92 ♣AQJ765 bids 3♣.
Opponents’ standard Michaels (SAYC)
When the opponents play SAYC, a cuebid is standard Michaels: (1m) 2m shows both majors, and (1M) 2M the other major and an unknown minor.
Over (1m) 2m
Over the Michaels cuebid, the double shows length in opener’s minor. A new suit is natural.
| 1♣ (2♣!) | |
|---|---|
| P | 7–12 |
| X | 15–20, 5+♣ |
| 2♦ | 13–19, 5+♦ |
| 2♥! | Cuebid, 15–21 |
| 2NT | 11–14 |
| 3♣ | 10–14, 5+♣ |
| 3NT | 13–15 HCP, BAL |
| 1♦ (2♦!) | |
|---|---|
| P | 5–13 HCP |
| X | 15–20, 4+♦ |
| 2♥! | Cuebid, 15–21 |
| 2NT | 11–13 |
| 3♣ | 13–17, 5+♣ |
| 3♦ | 9–13, 4+♦ |
| 3NT | 12–15 HCP, BAL |
Over (1M) 2M
Over 1♥ (2♥), Wbridge5 makes the same call as against its own Precise Michaels on 275 of 300 hands. The difference is 3♣, natural with 5+♣ here.
| 1♠ (2♠!) | |
|---|---|
| P | 6–11, 0–3♠ |
| X | 16–21, 3+♠ |
| 3♣♦ | 13–18, 5+# |
| 3♥! | Cuebid, 15–20 |
| 3♠ | 7–10, 3+♠ |
| 4♣♦♥! | Splinter, 4+♠ |
| 4♠ | 10–13, 3+♠ |
Over (1♣) 2NT
| 1♣ (2NT!) | |
|---|---|
| P | 7–13 |
| X | 13–19 |
| 3♣ | 10–15, 5+♣ |
| 3♦! | Cuebid, 15–20 |
| 3♠ | 12–19, 5+♠ |
Opener after (2NT) asks for the minor
| 1♥ (2♥!) P (2NT!) | |
|---|---|
| P | 13–17 |
| X | 18–20 |
| 3♣♦ | 15–20, 4+# |
| 3♥ | 17–20, 6+♥ |
For example, ♠K82 ♥AKJ63 ♦AK82 ♣6 doubles.
Not probed
- Over (1♦) 2♦ and (1♠) 3♣, which may differ from the tabled (1♣) 2♦ and (1♥) 3♣.
- The answer to advancer’s 4NT except over (1♣) 2♦, a cuebid of opener’s suit after (1X) P (1Y), and advancer’s strong hands after (1X) P (1Y) (advancer had to pass 1♣ first).
- The opponents playing SEF. Its preset keeps Precise Michaels, as in Wbridge5’s own system.
- Responder’s second round after doubling a two-suiter.