Overcall your opponent when you have 8-16 HCP (10-17 total points).  

Compulsory Double with 17+ HCP Hand . Overcall should be made in next round of bidding.

Why overcall

• You think your team may be able to outbid opening team as both opponents will have sufficient points to outbid an auction.
• Conveying the partner LEAD MY SUIT. Indicate to him your suit preference for opening lead and hand strength for defense.
• Confront the opening pair and force them to bid high by blocking lower bids.
• Force opponents to play high part scores i.e. 1 level declare is easier to win than a 3 level part score, make life difficult for opponents. You now have greater chance of collecting points via penalty on defeating the auction.

Overcalling with a Suit

Suit Quality is very important consideration in suit overcalls. A review of the topic before moving ahead is recommended.

For overcalling with suit you must have 5+ cards in that suit.

• At Level 1 – Overcall when hand strength is 8-16 HCP. At lower levels, the suit quality should be 8+ with 3 of 5 top honours. At higher end suit quality can diminish.

When both opponent’s have bid and your partner has passed, raise hand strength to 10+ HCP as opponents have better knowledge of their suits. Overcall only for constructive reasons with strong honours and high suit quality.

• At Level 2 – overcall at 2 level suggests a strength which is strong enough to be opening hand, when bid is natural (not weak)….

Weak 2 overcall can also be made with weak hand but suit should have 6 cards and suit quality 8+. Pay attention to vulnerability and raise hand strength in unfavourable condition.

E.g. 2!h over 1!c

• At Level 3 – 12 to 16 HCP

The rule of thumb

• Weaker hands should have a better suit quality i.e., longer or with stronger honours and suit quality 8+
• Alternatively, if your suit lacks strength of honours, you must have stronger hand like the one which can be opening hand.
• In rare occasions, overcall with 4 cards is possible but only when you have opening bid strength and a very good suit quality of 8+
• Vulnerability also matters on overcalling. If you are vulnerable, overcall with 10+ HCP and not 8+ as usual.
• The stronger hands 17+ HCP should bid TAKEOUT DOUBLES in first round and then bid lowest level bid in that suit, subsequently.

Advancer’s action on overcall:

Advancer is the term used for overcaller’s partner. He will act as follows

• Cue bid opening hand when he has to show 10+ points invitational hand with 3+ cards support to overcaller.

• Bid overcalled hand a level up when 6-9 points and 3 cards support
• Bid overcalled hand with a jump to show 4+ cards support in a 6-9 points, weak hand.

Overcalling with NO TRUMP (NT)

Balanced hand & one stopper in opponent’s suit. Stopper in opener’s bid suit is important, reason being, the opening lead certainly will be in opener’s suit. Unless you have a stopper, you’re in trouble.

If the opening bid is a major suit, the length of the suit which is now 5+ is also of concern.

1NT can be bid by Advancer sitting on 4^th seat when both opponents have bid and your partner has passed. Keep in mind both bid suits must have stoppers in your hand.

Consider takeout double as alternative

• 1NT can be overcalled with hand strength of 15-18 HCP (note HCP range has been enhanced by 1. for opening 1NT it is 15-17)
• 1NT on opener’s level 1 bid & 2NT on weak 2 level bid