UNUSUAL 1NT OVERCALL

Introduction

A convention rapidly gaining popularity on the mainland is the Negative Notrump Overcall, which foregoes the standard 1NT Overcall of a minor suit opening bid, showing a balanced 15-18 HCP, in order to handle a class of hands which is difficult to bid using standard methods. Specifically, the Negative Notrump Overcall shows a hand of opening bid strength with a 4-card major and 5+cards in the other minor. Practitioners use a takeout double, followed by a NT rebid to describe the balanced 15-18 HCP hand. The hands suitable for the Negative NT are unsuitable for a takeout double because of holding 0-2 cards in the major not held. Partner is expected to bid a 4+card major if he has one, and to retreat to the other minor otherwise, unless his hand is suitable for passing 1NT. The negative NT bidder will pass or raise partner's 4+card major, or retreat to the other minor at the cheapest level.

Like the Michaels Cue-bid and the Unusual NT, the Negative NT is designed to show two suits. Whereas the Michaels Cue-Bid of a major suit opening is ambiguous about which minor suit is held, the Negative NT is ambiguous about which major suit is held. If we are willing to forego the standard 1NT overcall, however, a simple scheme makes it possible to eliminate both these ambiguities. This article describes such a scheme, which replaces the standard 1NT overcall with the Unusual 1NT Overcall instead of with the Negative NT.

The Unusual 1NT Overcall

After any 1-level opening bid in a suit, there are three unbid suits which are potential trump suits for Opener's opponents. The Michaels Cue-Bid shows the two highest-ranking of those three unbid suits, while the Unusual 2NT shows the two lowest-ranking, We merely define the Unusual 1NT Overcall as a Top & Bottom Cue-Bid, showing the highest- and lowest-ranking of the two unbid suits. Since Overcaller's two suits are always known with no ambiguity, his partner is often able to bid to a high level immediately when holding some sort of fit for both of Overcaller's suits, and is better prepared to defend when outbid by Opener's side, or to stop at a low level, frequently by passing 1NT, when lacking a fit with either of Overcaller's suits. The only ambiguity in this scheme is the length of Overcaller's suits. When holding opening bid strength, it is reasonable to allow 54 or even 44 in the two suits. The minimum suit quality for a 4-card suit should be Q10xx, but this can be reduced to 109xx when holding extra high-card strength (15+HCP). With less than opening bid strength, the standard limitation to 55 or better is needed to avoid a doubled disaster when partner fits neither suit.

Note, however, that if the opening bid is based on a 5+card suit, there is an 80% chance of a 44 hand finding a 4-card fit for one of his suits. If the opening bid is in a shorter suit, the chance of a 44 fit drops to 70%. My advice, especially with less than 15 HCP, is to adhere to the 55 rule for the Unusual 2NT and for the Michaels Cue-Bid of a major suit opening, when play at the 3-level is often necessary, but to allow 44 with the Unusual 1NT and with the Michaels Cue-Bid of a minor suit opening, where it is always possible to stop at the 2-level in one of Overcaller's suits.

Responding to the 2-Suited Overcalls

Since Overcaller's partner knows which two suits have been shown, responding is easy. A new suit bid (the 4th suit) is non-forcing and denies 3+card support for both of Overcaller's suits. All NT bids, and a pass of the Unusual 1NT, are similar, and if above the 1NT level imply a stopper in Opener's suit. A minimum bid in one of Overcaller's suits is also non-forcing, and implies 3+card support. When Overcaller's suits are a major and a minor, the minor should be preferred when holding 3-card support for both suits, since a 54 overcall is more likely to be based on a 5-card minor and a 4-card major. A jump in either of Overcaller's suits is invitational, usually based on 4-card support. With greater than invitational strength, a cue-bid is game-forcing and implies possible doubt about the final destination. Perhaps the issue is the choice between Overcaller's two suits, or the choice between NT and one of Overcaller's suits, or the choice between game and slam. In responding to this cue-bid, Overcaller should bid his 5-card suit if 54, and his better 4-card suit if 44, but can bid NT if 44 with a stopper in Opener's suit. Finally, a jump in the 4th suit is invitational. Overcaller should raise with Qx or xxx unless dead minimum, and should bid 3NT with a stopper in Opener's suit and an honor in the 4th suit.