Overcalls

	Not all bidding auctions involve the opening bidder and responder. Far 	from it, as the opponents are quite liable to interupt the auction by bidding a 	suit of their own.

	Requirements

	The overcaller does not require an opening hand. All he requires is playing 	strength in the suit.

	He must therefore have: 1. Length in the suit (five plus).
				      2. Quality in the suit.

	eq	KQ9762	AQ63
		54		QT62
		Q763		Q3
		2		K74

	With the first example we have far from an opening hand yet it is an 	automatic overcall as we have both requirements. Give partner as little 	as:-

		Jxx
		xxx
		KJxx
		xxx

	and the contract is an easy make at the one or two level.

	In the second example over an opening of one heart, we do in fact have an 	opening bid but no suit to overcall - the hand is defensive and it is correct to 	pass. If we were to overcall one spade, without support in this suit from 	partner it will definitely concede to a larger penalty.

	NB. In the first example we have offensive values; the second defensive. 	Overcall with offensive hands, not defensive ones.

	As well as enabling us to bid our suit, overcalls have many other advantages:-

	1. It suggests a good opening attacking lead should your partner be on lead.

	2. It deprives the opposition of bidding space; especially if the overcall of one
	    spade is bid after a one club opening. (Or 2C over 1D etc).

	3. It enables us to judge sacrificing for a profit.

	In the first example hand we have an automatic overcall at the one level. 	Change the lengthy spade suit to a minor suit where if we were to overcall it
	would have to be made at the two level, then the requirements change. We 	have to have an opening hand preferably with a six card suit.

		76
		AQJT53
		K94
		Q4

		Bid 2H over 1S bid by RHO.
 
	Vulnerability also becomes a major factor so therefore the hand has to be
	stronger in high cards in order to overcall.  

	Jump overcalls

	An overcall of one level higher than necessary is a "jump overcall".

	eg. 1C/D/H - 2S	1H - 3C/D	1S - 3C/D/H etc

	Most partnerships nowadays use this bid to show a weak hand, ie. a six card
	suit and less than opening hand values.

		AQJ983	76
		5		53
		JT85		974
		74		AKJT84

		1H - 2S	1H - 3C

	1NT Overcall

	This bid promises 15-17 HCP`s in the "direct" seat, with at least one and a 	half stops in the opening bidders suit.

	In the "protective" seat it promises 11-14 HCP`s, a stop not guaranteed, 
	revealing the shape of the hand.

	Responding to an overcall

	The overcalling partnership, as a rule, do not have the space nor the flexibility 
	to bid as do the opening bidder and responder.

	- A change of suit is non-forcing.

	eg. 1H - (1S) - P - ?		With	5		bid 2D, non-forcing.
						T85
						AQ8632
						KJ3

	- With support for partner`s suit, make a limit raise as if responding to an 
	  opening bid. Responding in this way we have the luxury of raising with
	  only a three card suit to whichever level.

	- With no fit for partner, but holding a good hand, the only way we can force
	  is by bidding the opponents suit.

		1S - (2D) - P - ?

		4		64
		A64		AK54
		KT85		K74
		AKQ63	Q862

	In the first example we are eventually going to bid five diamonds (and a 
	slam is a possibility), in the meantime bid 2S.

	With the second example force with two spades as a three notrump contract
	is the most likely game contract. (Five diamonds will be to high; partner will 
	bid NT if he can; pass 3D).

	- With no fit for partner but holding values:-

		(1D) - 1S - (P)  - ?

		A8		A8
		743		A43
		KT76		KT76
		Q854		Q854

	In the above examples we 1NT and 2NT respectively. As partner has
	overcalled we devalue our hands accordingly.
	1N: 8-11 HCP`s. 2N: 11-14 HCP`s.