The Overcall Structure
Table of Contents
The Structure at a Glance
For busy players who don't have time to read, here is the essence of the
Structure in chart form:
Foreward
This document is based on two main sources:
- The pamphlet that originally introduced these methods, titled "The
Overcall Structure" by Don Spaulding, John Twineham, Don Laycock and
John Hodges. This was published in 1989, apparently by Twineham
himself as there is no other publisher indicated in the pamphlet. I refer to this pamphlet as "Spaulding."
- An Internet article by John E.
Fout titled "The Overcall
Structure Version 1.1." I refer to this article as "Fout."
I have supplemented this material with a my own (very limited) experience and
with some observations made while kibitzing
Twineham and Hodges in actual play. I have tried to clarify places where the
sources seemed obscure, and I have also indicated places where they are contradictory or where I just can't make sense out of
them. My goal was to summarize the available information, not to create
any new theory. This process has exposed enough loose ends that you and partner
will have plenty to talk about the next time you meet at Starbucks.
Paul Cornelius
May 2001
1. Introduction
Odds of holding a hand in the given HCP range after an opponent
opens the bidding
| HCP range |
Probability |
| 0-5 |
18.18% |
| 6-8 |
27.65% |
| 9-11 |
28.55% |
| 12-14 |
19.02% |
| 15-37 |
6.60% |
| 38+ |
0.00% |
When the opponents open the bidding they have already gained an advantage.
Standard defensive bidding methods allow you to compete if you have a decent hand, but this
doesn't happen very often (see chart of probabilities at right). The
main purpose of the Structure is to allow you to compete on weaker hands. The Structure is based on the theory that competing at the one- and
two-level is
superior to balancing at the three-level, which can be very dangerous as the opponents have already
communicated their values.
The Structure often relies on the Law of Total Tricks to decide how high to compete. On most hands we possess
at least an eight-card fit, which usually will allow us to compete successfully
at the two-level; sometimes we will have two eight-card fits which will allow us
to compete at the three-level. If we have a nine-card fit the three-level
should be safe, etc. The opponents of course attempt to do the same depending on
how big their trump fits are.
The Structure comprises the following tools: Simple
Overcalls, No-trump
for Takeout, the Power
Double, Roman Jump
Overcalls, the Two-suited Cuebid, Intermediate
Jump Overcalls, NAMYATS,
and a few other gadget bids.
1.1. General principles
The Structure applies only in direct seat when the opponents have opened with a
natural bid of 1 in a suit. It is off in balancing seat or when both
opponents have bid.
Throughout this document the term "advancer" is used to name the
partner of the player who first makes a competitive bid (overcall or
double). The Advancer plays a critical role in the Structure since it is
almost always his job to make the final decision about how high to compete on the combined
offensive values of the partnership. Advancer must bear in mind that
many calls in the Structure are limited and do not promise defensive values.
The most important concept in the Structure is summarized this way by
Spaulding:
| "Get in, get out; bid limit of offensive values but don't hang
your partner." |
2. The Simple Overcall at the One-level (SO)
Of all the tools in the Structure, the simple overcall (SO) occurs the most frequently.
The inferences that can be drawn
from an SO, or even a pass, are many. Because the overcaller has several other possible
bids in the Structure, the choice of an SO denies possession of certain other
hand types. This will become clear as the other bids are presented.
There are several reasons to make an SO:
- Lead direction
- To enter the auction on a hand with general values (this means 10-14 HCP
according to Fout)
- To take bidding space from the opponents
The requirements for an SO are modest: generally 4-14 HCP and a 5+ card suit;
however, 4 card suits are common when the hand contains length in opener's
suit. The SO denies holding a side 5 card suit and tends to deny a higher
ranking 4 card suit, although there are 4-4, 5-4, and 6-4 hands that cannot be
described with a single systemic bid. The SO is alertable.
There are no specific requirements for suit quality. While the average
is something like KJ9x, lesser holdings are acceptable if the hand's general
strength suggests getting into the auction. For example, if RHO opens
1
and you hold: 
KQx 
T9xx 
xx AKxx, the recommended bid is 1. (This paragraph is from Fout).
The inferences from partner passing in an auction like this: (1) - P - (1), are very
revealing. It's known that partner could not even compete at the one-level.
Partner almost surely denies possession of all the hands mentioned in this
section, and denies the three-suited takeouts, two-suited hands, and other
holdings that will be described below. The hands most likely to be passed are
either very weak, are 4-3-3-3 (or some other balanced pattern) with length in opener's suit,
or have a bad suit and only average values, e.g., Jxxx or worse and
6-9 HCP.
2.1 Responding to an SO
The aggressive nature of the SO implies that advancer must act with caution,
particularly when considering a raise on 3 card support. Advancer's
holding in LHO's suit is of critical importance [Fout]: the situation is especially
dangerous when holding three small, Jxx or Qxx of LHO's suit, or with a modest 4-3-3-3 hand.
Case 1: Overcaller's LHO passes
In an uncontested auction the advancer has four ways of raising overcaller's
suit:
1. Simple raise. This generally requires 4+ card support and is
blocking. Advancer has no interest in game.
2. Double raise. When non-vulnerable this is blocking and
denies interest in game. When vulnerable it is invitational.
3. Bid 1NT (forcing, see below) and then support
opener's suit on the next round [Fout; not mentioned by Spaulding].
For example:
| W |
N |
E |
S |
| 1 |
1 |
Pass |
1NT (forcing) |
| Pass |
2 (forced relay) |
Pass |
2 |
This sequence shows some game interest so overcaller should continue with a
maximum.
4. Bid 2NT (Jacoby style). This promises an opening hand
with 4+ trumps and is forcing for one round. Overcaller responds as
follows:
A. Rebid his suit with less than 8 HCP [Spaulding] or a generally poor
hand. This is not forcing.
B. Bid a new suit at 3 level to show a singleton or void.
Presumably this also implies 8+ HCP [my interpretation].
C. Jump to a new suit at the 4 level to show 6-4 distribution and
maximum HCP.
Lacking support for overcaller's suit, advancer must bear in mind that
overcaller is very likely to have shortness in one of the unbid suits (otherwise
he would have overcalled 1NT - see below). Advancer can choose among these
possibilities:
1. Pass. Strongly tends to have fewer than 4 cards in overcaller's
suit.
2. New suit at the one level. Non-forcing and non-constructive,
this denies interest in game and merely suggests an
alternative spot. This strongly implies fewer than 3 cards in overcaller's suit.
3. 1NT is similar to Lebensohl and asks overcaller
to make an artificial rebid of 2.
Assuming the relay is accepted, advancer can now continue in one of several
ways:
A. Pass, or bid a suit at the 2-level that is lower-ranking than
overcaller's suit. This is weak and non-forcing with no interest in
game. It shows a 5+ card suit and strongly implies less than 3 cards
in overcaller's suit.
B. Bid a suit at the 2-level that is higher ranking than
overcaller's suit. This is mildly invitational but non-forcing.
C. Make a mild game invitation by rebidding overcaller's suit (see
above).
Overcaller may break the relay to 2 if his original suit was 6 cards long.
With a minimum hand he rebids his suit; with a good hand he can bid a new suit
to show 3 or 4 cards in the suit bid and 11+ HCP.
4. A new suit (non-jump) at the two level is a one-round force.
This is often made with 3+ card support for opener's original suit in reserve.
5. A new suit (jump) at the two level or above is preemptive.
6. A cuebid of opener's suit is a strong no-fit game try. Advancer
has at most 3 card support for overcaller, and is looking for
game either in no-trump or in his own suit. This shows 15+ HCP and asks
overcaller for a further description.
Case 2: Overcaller's LHO doubles
I have to say that both sources are very vague in their treatment of this
situation.
The advancer again has four ways of raising the overcaller, but they are
different from Case 1.
1. Redouble. This is a "support redouble" promising
exactly 3 cards.
2. Single raise. Promises 4+ cards and denies interest in game.
3. Jump raise. Promises a very good 4 cards or 5+ card
support. If non-vulnerable it is purely blocking and denies game interest;
if vulnerable it is invitational [This is my interpretation of the sketchy
descriptions available].
4. Cue bid. This now shows a fit (since the negative double makes
it unlikely that a non-fit game is available). Fout describes it as a
"limit raise", whatever that might be in this situation; presumably
overcaller should bid game if he is near maximum.
Apart from these bids Spaulding simply says that "all other bids are as
in standard." Presumably this implies that new suits by advancer are
nonforcing, and 1NT is a balanced hand with stoppers and 7-10 points. I
recommend some partnership discussion on this point.
Case 3: Overcaller's LHO bids a new suit, or raises opener
The possible responses here are much more limited.
1. Double. This shows 3 card raise if the suit can be bid at the
two level; otherwise it is value-showing and responsive.
2. Any direct raise promises at least 4 card support. It is
purely competitive "unless vulnerable vs. not [Spaulding]".
3. I assume that a cue bid shows support for overcaller's suit and
invites game (if bidding space permits).
3. The One No-trump Overcall for Takeout (NTO)
The centerpiece of the system. The NTO comes up frequently
and creates problems for the opponents, while letting us know the suits
in which we can compete. The NTO can be described as a light three-suited
takeout, showing 3+ cards in each of the unbid suits and generally 6 -15 HCP.
The bid implies a doubleton or less in the opener's suit, i.e., it should not be
used with 4-3-3-3 hands. The bid is alertable.
3.1 Point count requirements
The sources differ in their description of the point count
requirements. Spaulding gives the range as 4 to a bad 14, or up to a bad
15 opposite a passed partner. Fout says 6-15 at equal vulnerability.
At the table Twineham and Hodges, at unfavorable vulnerability, said their range
was 8-14.
Fout opines that certain hands should make a NTO with
extra values and the wrong shape to make a Power Double (PD). The PD tends to
show a doubleton or greater length in opener's suit; thus responder will
often convert a PD for penalties. For example:
AJT9 AQTx -- KQxxx
when RHO opens 1 , bid 1NT and
follow up with a double on your second turn.
3.2 Shape requirements
Fout says that the only specific requirement is 3 cards in each of the unbid
suits, and suggests that the NTO should be made with a 7-3-3-0 pattern.
Spaulding is far less radical, giving as typical hand patterns "4-4-4-1, 4-4-3-2, 5-3-3-2, 5-4-3-1, etc."
3.3 Responding to an NTO
Case 1: Overcaller's LHO passes.
- Pass [Fout, not mentioned explicitly by Spaulding although he does say
that the NTO is non-forcing].
This must show a hand suitable for notrump with some
points, but light enough that there is no danger of missing game.
- Bid a suit at the 2-level [not mentioned explicitly by Spaulding].
To play. This should generally end the auction, but Fout says that the NTO bidder can raise with a shapely maximum (4+ card
support).
- Cue bid at 2 level.
Asks the NTO bidder for a 4-card major. If the opener's
suit was a minor this could simply be looking for a safe place to play, but if
advancer later bids a new suit then this is an invitational sequence.
Fout says that a second cue bid by
advancer demonstrates a strong interest in game, probably in the suit named by
the NTO bidder.
Neither source mentions what to do if the NTO
bidder doesn't have a 4-card major; presumably he makes the cheapest
available response or bids 2NT.
- Bid a suit at the 3-level.
Preemptive unless vulnerable versus not. This shows a 6-card suit or a good
5-card suit. Alertable.
- 2NT.
Fout says that this "tends to show minors, but could be a hand with a
minor and a major. This depends on the auction."
Spaulding says this is invitational to 3NT.
- Cue bid at 3 level [Spaulding, not mentioned by Fout]
Asks NTO bidder to bid 3NT with a stopper.
- Bid game or 4 of a minor [Fout, not mentioned by Spaulding]
To play.
Case 2: Overcaller's LHO doubles
- Bid a suit at the 3-level [Spaulding]
Preemptive unless red versus white. This shows a 6-card suit or a good
5-card suit with a little shape. Alertable.
Spaulding isn't very clear on this. He implies
that this bid is still a game try if vulnerable, but it seems unlikely that
a game can be made after the opponents have opened and doubled. I
think that the "unless red versus white" idea shouldn't be
applicable here.
- Bid a suit at the 2-level.
Promises a 5+ card suit and is to play. Alertable.
- Redouble (alertable)
Promises exactly 4 cards in the highest unbid
suit.
Neither source explains how to follow this up. NTO bidder presumably is supposed to take out into
this suit if he also has 4 of them, or otherwise rescue himself.
- Pass (semi-forcing and alertable)
Denies a 5-card suit and also denies 4 cards in the
highest unbid suit. NTO bidder will now take one of the following
actions:
A. Pass with a flattish max
(very rare)
B. Bid a 4-card suit of his own
C. Redouble
to show a 5-card suit. This asks partner to relay to 2.
This treatment is described by Fout and differs from Spaulding. I
observed that this is how Twineham and Hodges now play at the table, so I've
written it up here as the standard agreement. In the original pamphlet
the meanings of redouble and a suit bid were switched; i.e., redouble denied
a 5 card suit and a suit bid promised one.
Case 3: Overcaller's LHO bids a new suit or raises opener's suit
- Double (alertable I think)
Negative according to Spaulding, responsive according
to Fout. This may amount to a mere difference in semantics, but it's
possible that Spaulding considers it to promise 4 card support for any unbid
major.
If NTO bidder responds 2NT, it's a takeout for the minors [Spaulding].
- 2NT (alertable)
Takeout for the minors.
- Bid a suit.
To play. Non-constructive.
Here are two examples given by Fout:
"1. At IMPs both vulnerable, you hold: Jx AKTxxx J9xx x. Over a one diamond opening
by LHO, partner bids a NTO while RHO follows with 2. You gamble out a 4 bid. It goes down
one -- barely -- when partner holds a mere six count, but the opponents are gin
for 5,
win 10 IMPs.
"2. At matchpoints you hold: QJxx Qxxx -- QJxxx. Your RHO
opens 1;
you bid a NTO. Your LHO doubles, and partner leaps to 5! What does partner have? You
pass, happy for now until your LHO chimes in with 5 while partner and RHO pass it
around to you. What does partner have? Well, work it out; with any six-card suit
partner should bid 3; with a little shape and a
good six-card suit that would constitute a 4 bid. So, partner must have
seven clubs and it seems likely partner has one or fewer hearts. Since partner
couldn't hammer five hearts, you're going to have to follow the LTT and bid
6 with a
twelve-card fit. Score it up. Partner held: Kxx -- Jxx AKTxxxx; the kind of hand you
would expect. It's unlikely standard bidders could possibly draw these
inferences from such a short auction, and find a way to preempt the opponents
out of their cheap 6 save."
4. The Power Double (PD)
This bid shows a good 15+ HCP [Spaulding says 14+] and any shape. Since
certain distributional hands are expressed in other ways, the PD tends to be balanced like a
standard 1NT overcall. It does not, however, guarantee a stopper or a
minimum length in any particular suit. It is alertable.
4.1 Converting the double for penalty
Responding to the PD is very similar to responding to a standard takeout double.
The responder should be alert to the possibility of converting the double for
penalties, especially at favorable vulnerability. This happens much more
often with the PD than with standard doubles, for example:
Kxx Axx QJ9x xxx
When LHO opens 1 and partner doubles, we would pass for penalty. We could make
3NT but the penalty pass rates to bring in much more.
4.2 Responding to the PD
Case 1: Doubler's LHO passes
1. 1NT shows 4-7 HCP and a stopper. Alertable, I think.
2. 2NT shows 8-9 HCP and a stopper. Alertable, I think.
3. Cuebid asks doubler to bid his best suit. This promises no
particular strength; responder will clarify that at his next bid. In
response to a cue bid the doubler should jump or make a return cue bid to show
17+ points.
4. "Other bids are similar to standard."
Spaulding doesn't say so, but I think the responder needs to take opener's
promised strength into account. Hands with only 10+ points must force to
game, so hands with only about 7+ must jump (in my opinion).
Case 2: Doubler's LHO bids
1. Double is negative for the unbid suits.
2. A new suit at a minimum level is competitive only.
5. The Two-level Overcall (TLO)
The TLO shows 4-14 HCP and 5+ card suit. In many cases it looks just
like a standard overcall, but since there are almost no pre-empts available in
the Structure it can also be hand that would have made a standard weak jump
overcall. In general it tends to show a balanced single-suited hand
without the playing strength for an Intermediate Jump Overcall,
or with the wrong shape for an NTO. It is alertable.
5.1 Responses to the TLO
The responses to the TLO are mostly natural and similar to standard
bidding. Most of this information is from Fout.
Case 1. Overcaller's LHO passes.
1. Raise of partner's suit. Always blocking; avoid making this
bid on a honor doubleton as overcaller is less likely to have a 6+ card suit
than in standard bidding. Alertable.
2. Cue bid. Game invitational.
3. 2NT. Natural and invitational.
4. A new suit at the 2 level is non-forcing, but overcaller can raise
with a maximum and 3 card support.
Case 2. Overcaller's LHO bids or doubles.
1. A double (or redouble) is a strong raise to 3 of the
overcaller's suit. Advancer may have as much as an opening bid. This
is alertable.
2. A direct raise to 3 is blocking and denies interest in game.
Alertable.
3. Cue bid is a good hand, either in support of overcaller's suit or in
another suit.
6. The Roman Jump Overcall (RJO)
The two cheapest jump overcalls over a one-level bid by opener show the suit
bid and the higher touching suit, with generally 6-15 HCP [This is Fout;
Spaulding says 4-14 HCP]. There will always be
at least nine cards in the two suits. If there are only nine cards, the lower
ranking will always [Spaulding says "almost always"] have five cards and the higher ranking will have four. The
bids are as follows with minimum holdings and tendencies:
| 2/1 |
5+ diamonds and 4+ hearts |
| 2/1 |
5+ hearts and 4+ spades |
| 2/1 |
5+ hearts and 4+ spades |
| 2/1 |
5+ clubs and 4+ spades; 5+ spades if vulnerable |
| 2/1 |
5+ clubs and 4+ spades; 5+ spades if vulnerable |
| 3/1 |
5+ clubs and 4+ diamonds; 5+ diamonds almost always |
| 3/1 |
5+ clubs and 4+ diamonds; 5+ diamonds almost always |
| 3/1 |
5+ diamonds and 4+ hearts; 5+ hearts almost always |
The point ranges and limitations are very sensitive to relative
vulnerability. Non-vulnerable vs. vulnerable opponents, 2/1 with Jxxxxx Txxxxx x --, would be acceptable.
Vulnerable vs. non-vulnerable opponents, 2/1 with KJxx AJxxx Qx KQ, would be reasonable, as
opposed to a double, especially opposite a passed partner [Spaulding].
As a general rule, hands that have a 5-4-3-1 pattern, with the singleton in
opener's suit, should prefer an NTO to the RJO.
6.1 Responding to an RJO
Case 1. Overcaller's LHO passes.
1. A cue bid shows the best possible hand with strong game
interest. Such a hand may want to play in the 4th suit, which advancer
indicates by bidding the 4th suit at his next turn. More often it is a
strong game try in one of overcaller's suits.
Overcaller responds as follows:
A. The cheapest suit bid (one step up the line) shows a minimum
hand with minimum shape.
B. The second cheapest suit bid shows a 5-5 or better shape with
minimum HCP.
C. A bid of 3NT, if available, shows a stopper in opener's suit and
maximum HCP.
D. 4 of openers suit, or the 4th suit at the 4 level shows
shortness in the suit bid, at least 5-5 distribution, and maximum HCP.
E. A jump to game in the lower-ranking of the RJO suits shows 4-6
distribution with some extra HCP. [This is Fout; Spaulding says
"generally 5-5, maybe 4-6, average values"]
For example after the auction 1
- 2 - Pass - 3:
| 3 |
weak hand, 4-5 in majors |
| 3 |
weak hand, 5-5 in majors |
| 3NT |
stopper in ,
"good hand" |
| 4 |
5-5 in majors, shortness in ,
maximum HCP |
| 4 |
5-5 in majors, shortness in ,
maximum HCP |
| 4 |
4-6 in majors, average HCP |
2. 2NT is invitational and tends to show interest in the higher-ranking suit.
Tends to show a stopper [Spaulding].
Overcaller responds as follows:
A. Pass with a minimum shape and size.
B. Take out to 3 of overcaller's lower-ranking suit with 4-6 shape
and a weak hand.
C. Take out to 3 of overcaller's higher-ranking suit with 5-5 shape
and a weak hand.
D. Bid 3 of opener's suit, or 3 of the fourth suit, to show 5-5
shape and good values. [Spaulding says that this bid is a
"fragment", but Fout implies that it shows shortness].
E. Bid 3NT with maximum HCP.
For example after the auction 1
- 2 - Pass - 2NT:
| 3 |
Shortness in ,
5-5 in majors, good hand |
| 3 |
Shortness in ,
5-5 in majors, good hand |
| 3 |
weak hand, 4-6 in majors |
| 3 |
weak hand, 5-5 in majors |
| 3NT |
maximum HCP |
3. A correction to overcaller's higher ranking suit, or a raise of either
of overcaller's suits, is generally a sign-off. The only exception is a
raise to 3 of a major when vulnerable, which is a mild game try.
Case 2: Overcaller's LHO bids
- If the opponents double, redouble is equivalent to a cuebid above. Pass is
to play. Any other bid is essentially as above.
- If the opponents raise or bid the fourth suit, a double replaces the
cuebid. A double at a very high level just shows values.
7. The Two-suited Cuebid (QB)
This bid shows the pair of suits that cannot be shown by the RJO, i.e., the suits that are
touching the cuebid suit. For this purpose spades and clubs are considered to
touch each other. An important difference between the QB and the RJO is that
the upper range of the QB is unlimited, since overcaller is guaranteed another
bid. Here's a list of the suits
shown:
| 2/1 |
5 diamonds and 4 spades |
| 2/1 |
5 clubs and 4 hearts |
| 2/1 |
5 diamonds and 4 spades |
| 2/1 |
5 clubs and 4 hearts, tends to be
5-5 |
The responses for these are the same as for the RJO. Since overcaller's
hand is unlimited, when he has a strong hand he must take charge of the auction.
8. The Two No-trump Overcall (2NT)
2NT over a one-level suit bid shows a good two-suited hand. One suit is always
the non-touching suit (over 1 it's hearts and over 1 it's spades,
and vice versa); the other suit is initially unknown. The suits are almost
always 5-5 and the hand is less than 5 losers as evaluated by Losing Trick
Count.
Here are three examples: Fout gives (over a 1 opening):
A x AK9x KQT9xxx. Spaulding gives over 1:
x AKJxx
AQJxx xx
and AQ10xx KQ10xxx
x x.
8.1 Responding to 2NT
In this section the known suit is called the "anchor" suit; the
other one is called the "back" suit.
Case 1: Overcaller's LHO passes
1. A bid of the anchor suit is to play with a very weak hand.
2. A bid of the cheapest non-cuebid suit also shows a weak hand, looking to
play in the back suit.
3. Bypassing the cheaper non-cuebid suit implies an ok hand for the
back
suit and a tolerance for the anchor suit, but essentially, it's still
weak.
4. A cuebid asks for a further description; tends to be a good invitation or
better. Doesn't promise more than 1 trick, since 2NT has 4-1/2 losers or
fewer.
5. A jump in the known suit is either to play (if it's game) or invitational
(if it's not game).
6. A jump in the unknown suit or opener's suit is a splinter for overcaller's known
suit. This shouldn't be difficult to remember since it's sure to come up
several times per session ;-)
Case 2: Overcaller's LHO bids a suit
1. A bid of the anchor suit is to play.
2. Double is the same as a cuebid in case 1 if the anchor suit can be bid at
three-level; otherwise it's value-showing.
Case 3: Overcaller's LHO doubles
1. A bid of the anchor suit is to play.
2. A redouble is the same as a cuebid in case 1.
3. A pass forces either (a) a redouble, or (b) a bid of the back suit if it's lower than
the anchor.
9. The Intermediate Jump Overcall (IJO)
Bids at the three-level (when higher than the two cheapest jump shifts) show a
single suited hand with the values to bid to the three level in competition. The
hands generally range from 12 HCP and a 7-card suit to a bad 17 HCP with a
6-card
suit. Suit quality is generally about a 1 loser maximum. The
available bids are: 3-3-3/1, 3-3-3/1, 3-3/3 and 3/1. Treat with respect to
vulnerability. In a major, one top trick and a fit by responder is usually
sufficient to bid game vul. vs. nonvul, but nonvul vs. vul even 1-1/2 tricks
with a fit would probably be insufficient (overcaller has a NAMYATS bid
available showing 8 to 8-1/2 tricks). All game bids are to play, and four-level
bids below game are usually slam tries for overcaller's suit.
10. Miscellany
10.1 NAMYATS
Bids at the four-level follow the NAMYATS convention. With 8 to 8-1/2 playing
tricks, bid 4 of the corresponding minor to show a strong hand with a long major
suit; bid 4 of a major directly to show a pre-emptive hand. Thus 4 transfers to 4 and 4 transfers to 4. The exceptions are logical: over 1 and 1, 4 and 4 are normal
four-level minor preempts since a transfer would make no sense.
10.1.1 Responding to NAMYATS
- Accepting the transfer denies interest in slam.
- Bidding the step in between shows a mild interest in slam.
10.2 Two Spade Jump Overcall Over One Club
This is the only existing jump preempt available below the four-level; treat
this as you would in standard. A 1 overcall of 1 thus tends to deny
the preemptive style hand.
10.3 Three-level Jump Cuebid
One of the easiest bids in the system, the three-level jump cuebid asks
advancer for a stopper in the bid suit and tends to show a long minor with a
couple of outside cards.