Dynamic 1NT Overcalls
With a 1-suited strong (17+ point) hands, Standard approaches rely on being able to Double and then bid our long suit.
For example, holding:
| Overcaller |  A K 10 9 x x
|  x
|  A Q x
|  A J 10
|
Over 1♥ by RHO, we can make a takeout double and risk hearing
Partner jump in any new suit.
But what if RHO has opened a minor and Partner
leaps off to 3♥ or 4♥ ?
Now we may be in trouble.
But, if we forego the double
and overcall 1♠ (8-16 points), we run the very real risk of missing a game.
A jump to 2♠ would be worse, since that is a weak jump overcall.
What we need is a way to show our strong hand without risking a jump in Hearts
from Partner.
This is the benefit of using a strong and forcing "Dynamic" 1NT
overcall for this purpose.
But what is the cost ?
Well, a natural 1NT (with 15-18 HCP) Overcall is lost.
Given the number of times that 1NT will cost us –500 or
more, this "loss" may be illusory.
Still, we need a way to handle a flat 15-18
HCP hand, when we do happen to hold one.
This, too, is not a problem: we Double.
Now, at least, if Partner starts leaping off in a suit, we will have
2-5 cards there and significant compensating values.
If Partner bids a suit
without jumping, we can pass if in the 15-17 point range (since 17 + 8 <
26) and rebid in Notrump with 18+ (1NT with 18-20 HCPs, jumping to 2NT in
some cases with 21-22 HCPs).
A Dynamic 1NT Overcall, then, is a strong,
unlimited hand, forcing for one round.
But is it always a 1-suiter ?
Answer: No.
Occasionally, it will be a very strong flat hand (23+ HCPs, usually) with
solid guards in the opponents' suit.
It can also be a 2-suiter — especially, if these
two suits cannot be described using a 2-suited overcall.
| Overcaller | A K 10 9 x
| x
| A K Q x x
| A Q
|
Over 1♥, we might go with 2♥, a Michaels overcall, but what if RHO
has opened 1♣ ? Again, a double might fetch 4♥ from Partner (ugh !) so we might
go with a Dynamic 1NT overcall here.
In response to a Dynamic 1NT, Advancer bids:
- 2♣ = 0-5 HCPs that do not qualify for 2♥ or 2♠ (below).
- 2♦ = 6+ HCPs, positive, but does not promise a rebid.
- 2♥ = 0-5 HCPs, 5+ Hearts, 0-1 Spade.
- 2♠ = 0-5 HCPs, 5+ Spades, 0-1 Heart.
- 2NT = 6-8 HCPs, flattish, with a guard in their suit.
- 3♣ = 0-5 HCPs, 6+ Clubs, 0-2 in both majors.
- 3♦ = 0-5 HCPs, 6+ Diamonds, 0-2 in both majors.
Dynamic 1NT overcaller can now force with a jump or a cuebid.
Simple suit rebids by Dynamic 1NT Overcaller are not forcing.
2NT is forcing, only if Advancer has just bid 2♦ (6+ HCPs).
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| 1NT | Pass | 2
| 0-5 HCPs, denying hand
for 2 or
2.
|
| Pass | 2
| --- | --- | Game forcing. |
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| 1NT | Pass | 2
| 6+ HCPs, denying hand for 2NT. |
| Pass | 3
| --- | --- | Game forcing. |
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| 1NT | Pass | 2
| 6+ HCPs, denying hand for 2NT. |
| Pass | 2
| --- | --- | Natural, non-forcing. |
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| 1NT | Pass | 2
| 0-5 HCPs, denying hand for 2 or 2.
|
| Pass | 2NT | --- | --- | Natural, non-forcing. 23-24 HCPs, flat. |
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| 1NT | Pass | 2
| 6+ HCPs, denying hand for 2NT. |
| Pass | 2NT | --- | --- | Natural, Game Forcing (23 + 6 > 26). |
If Responder intervenes with a raise, doubles by Advancer are Responsive, suggesting 6+ points and, usually, 2+ cards in all the unbid suits. Free bids are natural and non-forcing, suggesting 6-8 HCPs.
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| 1NT | 2
| 2
| Natural, 6-8 HCPs, not forcing. |
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| 1NT | 2
| Dble | Responsive, 6+ HCPs. |
If Responder interferes with a new suit bid, doubles are Penalty. Advancer uses the cheapest suit bid as Fishbein (similar to a Responsive Double), promising 6-8 points and 2+ cards in the two unbid suits. Other free bids are natural and non-forcing, in the 6-8 HCP range.
Cuebids or jump suit bids by either Dynamic 1NT Overcaller or Advancer
force game.
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| 1NT | 2
| Dble | Penalty. |
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| 1NT | 2
| 2
| Fishbein. 6-8 HCPs, 2+ in each unbid. |
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| 1NT | 2
| 2
| 5+ Spades. 6-8 HCPs. Not forcing. |
Because a jump suit bid in the passout seat is strong (albeit not forcing) Dynamic 1NT overcalls are in effect only in direct seat.
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| Pass | Pass | 2
| 17-19 HCPs, 5+ Spades. Not forcing. |
| RHO | You | LHO | Pard | Comments |
| 1
| Pass | Pass | 1NT | 10-15 HCPs, flat. Not forcing. |
The most dramatic effect of playing a Dynamic 1NT
Overcall (aside from missing those –500s in 1NT,
when it is Responder who has most of the outstanding strength)
is that our Takeout Doubles are less
often "off shape".
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