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 Bidding Quiz: Double or Overcall? by David

In this quiz, we will see the general guidelines for deciding whether to contest the auction with a double or an overcall.

Question 1

  Your Hand
 K Q 9 8 2
 A 3
 10 6
 A K Q 4
 
Q: 1 - Your RHO opens 1. What action will you take in the South seat?
SudOuestNordEst
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: 1. Many years ago, a one-level overcall showed a modest hand. You were told to 'double first' when you held something like 15 HCP or more. Nowadays, the range for a one-level overcall is much wider, and players are willing to overcall at the one-level with up to 18 HCP.

It may seem that you will miss games by bidding this way, but if the next two players pass, the opener will often keep the bidding open.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 2

  Your Hand
 K 6 2
 A Q 9 6 2
 A 10 7 6
 4
 
Q: 2 - What will you say now?
SudOuestNordEst
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: 1. Although you have support for all three unbid suits, it is better to overcall 1 than to double. That's because you may well belong in a 5-3 heart fit.

If you double and partner responds 1 or 1NT, you would have to pass and this might be the wrong spot.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 A J 8 2
 9 2
 K Q 7 6 2
 K 3
 
Q: 3 - What action will you take?
SudOuestNordEst
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: 1. If you doubled and partner happened to respond in spades, all would be well. It is more likely that you would hear a response in hearts.

To continue with 2 over 1 would show a much better hand than you have. A double followed by bidding a new suit suggests that you are too strong for a direct overcall.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 A J 7 2
 Q 10 4 3
 7
 Q 8 6 5
 
Q: 4 - Neither side is vulnerable and your RHO opens 1. What action will you take?
SudOuestNordEst
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: Pass. You have the perfect shape for a take-out double, but your hand is not strong enough for such action. 11 HCP would be enough, perhaps, but not 9 HCP. If you did double, your partner could easily carry the bidding too high.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 A Q 9
 A 6 4
 K Q 10 7 2
 K 3
 
Q: 5 - Your RHO opens 1. What will you say?
SudOuestNordEst
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: Double. You are too strong to overcall 1NT, particularly as your A Q 9 lies over the opponent with a bid spade suit. A direct overcall of 2NT would be the Unusual No-trump, indicating both minor suits. 2 would not describe your hand well.

The best idea is to start with a double and then bid 2NT. Partner will realize that you were too strong to bid an immediate 1NT instead.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 6

  Your Hand
 K 2
 A K J 9
 10 9 7 6
 Q 8 5
 
Q: 6 - What will you say when your RHO opens 1?
SudOuestNordEst
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: 1. An overcall normally promises at least a 5-card suit. Here, though, you would like to contest the bidding and you cannot double with a shortage in the spade suit.

Consider a 4-card overcall when (a) you have a good suit to bid, (b) you have length (not shortage) in the suit bid on your right, and (c) you have enough strength to have opened the bidding.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Play this Hand

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

Overall Results

Your results:   out of    Average: 

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

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