"Don't Miss The Party" -- Overcalls by Marti Ronemus

Best of Marti

The opponents have opened the bidding and we'd like to go to the party too. What do we need to go? And why should we want to go where we're not invited?

We want to go because the hand might just belong to us. Also, we want to give Pard a lead. And finally, we want to make life tough for the other party-goers. Now, that doesn't mean we jump in just for the sake of jumping in.

We need between 7-ish to 17-ish points, (10 if we're going to bid at the two-level)) and a Darn Good Five-Card Suit. We want Pard to be able to count on us.

Put on your party shoes and let's go.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A J 10 7 4
♥ 9 4
♦ K 9 8
♣ 7 4 3

Q: 1 - As South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
?

A: 1♠: We've barely made it past the Party Bouncers, but we've got a nice five-card suit and 8 HCP. Not sure if this is our hand or not, but at least Pard's got a good lead. Also, knowing we have five Spades helps Pard count the hand.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A J 10 7 4
♥ 9 4
♦ 9 8 7
♣ 7 4 3

Q: 2 - As South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
?

A: Pass: This time, we just don't have enough points. We've got the five-card suit, but really, no right to bid. We don't overcall just to be a nuisance. It has a way of backfiring.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A J 8 4
♥ K Q
♦ K 7 5 4 3
♣ 8 7

Q: 3 - Should you bid? South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
?

A: Pass: Sadly sometimes the nicest hand at the table has to stay home. Our Diamonds are too pathetic to overcall. Our Spades are too short. We can't bid No-trump because of lack of money. We can't make a Take-Out Double because we don't have the right shape (short on Hearts). Don't make a bad bid just for the sake of bidding. Meantime, don't despair. If Pard likes to party also, he's counting the points as they are bid and will notice there are a lot missing. He'll take action.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 8 4
♥ K J 5
♦ 8 4 3
♣ A Q 8 6 5

Q: 4 - South again.

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
?

A: 2♣: We have enough money to buy the two-level and the right shape. Best bid we can make.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ K J 7
♥ A J 8 4
♦ Q J 5
♣ K 10 9

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠

A: 1 No-trump: We've got the perfect shape, we've got stoppers everywhere, especially in Their suit. Let's dance.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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