RainBow Series – Lesson VI
Two Suited Overcalls
The trick-taking potential of any 5-5 (or better) 2-suiter increases dramatically, if Partner can support either or both of our suits. In fact, we should bid very aggressively with such a fit; if the contract does NOT make, it is most likely a good sacrifice.
The ability to show 2 suits quickly can be a very useful tool in locating such fits.
The question arises, though, whether we should bid these two suits naturally, starting with the HIGHer of the two FIVE-card suits (according to the High-Five Rule), or use the 2-suited overcall (be it Michaels, an Unusual 2NT or a "Sandwich" 1NT in some cases) to show them immediately.
Consider this hand:
 A K Q x x
|  K x x x x
|  x x
|  x
|
After a 1♦ opening, we have the choice between
- (1) 1♠, intending to rebid the Hearts LATER, and
- (2) a Michaels Overcall of 2♦, showing the Majors.
Case (1): If we overcall 1♠, we may or may not be able
to bid Hearts later — although this is most true
when the opponents are strong and we would likely
not want to bid Hearts at that level.
But, assuming we do NOT get another chance to bid, which major
would we want lead ? Right, Spades.
If we make a Michaels cuebid 2♦, showing both majors, and
do not get another chance to bid, partner must guess
which major you'd like led.
Hence, overcall 1♠ here.
Case (2): Now let's reverse the Majors and reconsider:
| K x x x x
| A K Q x x
| x x
| x
|
Here a 1♠ overcall would only confuse the issue; we want a Heart led. Alright, how about a 1♥ overcall, then ? This would be awkward, even if the opponents do NOT jump to game, since a Spade rebid by us would be a reverse, forcing Partner up another level in order to show a preference for our first bid suit, Hearts.
| 1
| 1
| any | any | – |
| any | 2
| any | 3
| This may be too high ! |
Hence, with the second hand, we MUST use the 2-suited overcall, a Michaels 2♦.
It follows, then, that using a 2-suited overcall strongly suggests that the Lower ranked suit is the superior of the two suits promised (since, if the Higher ranked suit were stronger we might bid our suits naturally, HIGHest suit first). This tendency is called "LOTUS": Lower Of Two Usually Stronger, and applies whenever we use any 2-suited overcall.
1. Is LOTUS a convention ?
2. Do we have to alert our 2-suited overcalls, if we play LOTUS ?
Any cuebid of OPENER's suit in direct or balancing (if Responder Passes Opener's opening suit bid) seat is a Michaels overcall, showing
5-5 (or better) 2-suiter,
including 5+ cards in any unbid Major,
*if the opponents have bid only ONE suit*.
| 1
| 2
| — | — | Michaels, showing both majors. |
| 1
| 2
| — | — | Michaels, showing Spades and a minor. |
| 1
| Pass | Pass | 2
| Michaels, showing the majors. |
| 1
| Pass | 1NT | 2
| Michaels, showing Hearts and a minor. |
| 1
| Pass | 2
| 3
| Michaels, showing Spades and a minor. |
| 1
| Pass | 1
| 2
| Natural. Not Michaels. |
The last example, 1♦-Pass-1♥-2♦ is NOT Michaels,
because Responder did not pass.
2♦, then, is natural
when both opponents have bid a different suit — as a
2♥ (1♦-Pass-1♥-2♥) bid would be !
1. If you have a 5-5-3-0 hand, void in Opener's Clubs, should you Double or make a Michaels cuebid of 2♣ with your 5-5 in the majors ?
| Hand #1 | Q 10 x x x
| A K J x x
| x x x
| —
|
| Hand #2 | Q 10 x x x
| K J x x x
| K Q x
| —
|
2.
Can I use Michaels with 5-4 two-suiter ?
How about 4-5 two-suiter (with the 4-carder being the higher ranked suit) ?
3.
After 1♠-2♠ or 1♥-2♥,
does Partner know which minor I have ?
4.
Does Michaels apply, if they open a weak 2-bid ?
Is 2♦-3♦ Michaels ? 2♥-3♥ ? 2♠-3♠ ?
Without a promising hand, Advancer (Michaels Overcaller's partner) will choose between the two suits promised. Thanks to LOTUS, with an equal holding in both of Overcaller's suits, Advancer will know to prefer the Lower ranked suit.
| x x
| x x
| K x x x x
| K x x x
|
If Partner has cuebid a Major (1♥-2♥ or 1♠-2♠), Advancer can use 2NT to ask for the hitherto unspecified minor.
| 1
| 2
| Pass | 2NT | "Your minor, pard ?" |
| Pass | 3
| — | — | Five or more Diamonds. |
In those rare instances, where the Michaels cuebid comes at the 3♥ or 3♠ level (i.e., 1♠-Pass-2♠-3♠) a Club bid by Advancer shows a preference for the undisclosed Minor. Cuebidder will correct to Diamonds, if that is Cuebidder's second suit.
| 1
| Pass | 2
| 3
| Michaels. Spades and a minor. |
| Pass | 4
| Pass | 4
| Five or more Diamonds. |
Advancer's strongest action is always a cuebid of the opponent suit, forcing game. This may come immediately (i.e., 1♥-2♥-Pass-3♥) or after requesting clarification of the minor via 2NT. In the latter case, Overcaller's Minor is presumed to be the trump.
| 1
| 2
| Pass | 2NT | "Your minor, pard ?" |
| Pass | 3
| Pass | 3
| Game force. |
In the above example, then, Clubs will be the presumed trump suit.
Any jump to the three level (i.e., 1♥-2♥-Pass-3♠) is invitational, on 10-14 points. This, however, exposes one of the inadequacies of standard Michaels. We can invite in either major over a cuebid of a minor ...
| 1
| 2
| Pass | ?? | 3 or 3 invites game here.
|
| 1
| 2
| Pass | ?? | 3 or 3 invites game here.
|
...and we can invite game in Spades over 1♥-2♥-Pass by jumping to 3♠. But how do we invite in Hearts after 1♠-2♠-Pass ? An immediate 3♥ bid over partner's 2♠ Michaels cuebid could be bid on zero HCPs with 3+ Hearts. Bidding 2NT, to ask for the minor, and THEN 3♥ would not invite, since it might show a weak hand with 2 Hearts that was hoping Overcaller had the other minor (say, 5-2-5-1).
Standard praxis offers NO solution to the problem of distinguishing a 0-9 point hand, with NO interest in a Heart game, from a 10-14 point hand that might like to invite to 4♥ over 1♠-2♠-Pass. :(-
For a solution to this vexing problem — one which requires that you discuss this dilemma at length with your steady partner — read the article on "Lover's Leap" from his humour article on The Three Gadgeteers at Colin's "personal" web site:
...or the article on "Lebensohl" at Colin's "tutors" web page at:
1. After 1♣-2♣-Pass, should I not Jump to 3-of-a-major anytime I have 4-card support, according to the Law of Total Tricks (which states that in competitive and pre-emptive auctions, we should be willing to bid one trick for every trump we have) ?
2.
If advancer invites game opposite the Michaels
cuebid (i.e., 1♦-2♦-Pass-3♠), what kind of strength
does overcaller need to have to accept ? Assume
that you play that Michaels cuebids show either
strong or weak hands only (as many still do) here.
A jump to 2NT over an opening bid is "Unusual", promising 5-5 or better in the two lower unbid suits. Hence:
| 1
| 2NT | — | — | 5-5 in the red suits. |
| 1
| Pass | Pass | 2NT | 5-5 in the red suits. |
| 1
| 2NT | — | — | 5-5 in Clubs and Hearts. |
| 1
| Pass | Pass | 2NT | 5-5 in Clubs and Hearts. |
| 1
| 2NT | — | — | 5-5 in the minors. |
| 1
| Pass | Pass | 2NT | 5-5 in the minors. |
| 1
| 2NT | — | — | 5-5 in the minors. |
| 1
| Pass | Pass | 2NT | 5-5 in the minors. |
Again, because of LOTUS, the Lower of these two promised suits is likely the stronger.
For the most part, advancer bids naturally, choosing the suit and the level. Advancer's only forcing reply is a cuebid of the opponent suit, which is usually a move towards 3NT or, once that level is breeched, slam.
When both opponents have bid a suit of their own at the 1-level, we have TWO ways to show the unbid suits: via
(2) NoTrump Overcall.
(2) A 2NT overcall, on the other hand, shows better distribution than HCPs: 11+ HCPs and 5-5 or better in the unbid suits.
The question that arises is whether a 1NT
bid shows a weak hand with 5-5 in the unbid suits
or whether it shows 15-18 HCPs in a flat hand.
The SAYC notes do not make this clear.
However,
bidding 1NT with 15-18 points after one opponent
has shown 13+ and the other has shown 6+ points
is suicidal.
Hence, let us treat the 1NT bid in this instance as 5-5 in the unbid suits and 6-10 HCPs.
This is called the "Sandwich 1NT" overcall.
| 1
| Pass | 1
| 1NT | 5-5 in the red suits, 6-10 HCPs. |
Again, the Sandwich 1NT is something that you should clarify with your partner. When you bid a Sandwich 1NT, you must alert it by hitting the "ENTER + ALERT" key instead of the "ENTER" button. Then you must explain it to both opponents as "Sandwich = 5-5 in the unbids, 6-10 HCPs".
Advancer's only forcing response to the Sandwich 1NT is a cuebid of one of the opponent suits.
1. Without any prior discussion, should I presume that we are playing a Sandwich 1NT or that we are NOT playing a Sandwich 1NT ?
2. If I make a Sandwich or Unusual 2NT, doesn't that often mean that if the hand belongs in 3NT it will usually be played from the wrong side ?
1. RHO opens 1♣. What would you bid with:
| hand A: | Q J x x x
| K J 10 x x
| A Q x
|
|
| hand B: | A Q J x x
| K J 10 x x
| x
| Q x
|
| hand C: | K J 10 x x
| A Q J x x
| x x
| x
|
| hand D: | K Q x x x
| A K Q x x
| A
| K x
|
| hand E: | x
| K Q J x x
| K Q x x x
| x x
|
| hand F: | x x
| K Q x x x
| A K J x x
| x
|
2. After 1♠-2♠-Pass comes to you, what do you bid with:
| hand A: | x x x x x
| x x
| x x x
| x x x
|
| hand B: | x x x x x x
| Q x x
| x x
| x x
|
| hand C: | x x
| K 10 x x
| A x x x
| Q x x
|
3. After 1♣-Pass-1♠ comes to you, what do you bid with:
| hand A: | x x
| A Q x x
| A K J x x
| x x
|
| hand B: | x
| K 10 x x x
| A J x x x
| x x
|
| hand C: | —
| K J x x x
| A K x x x x
| x x
|
| RAINBOw Series |