Structure 7G71 Main |
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In the mid 1970s the usual expert way to cope with an overcall of partners 1 NT opening involved the Lebensohl convention an artificial 2 NT response that forced 3 by opener, then responder could pass or show various hand types. A serious flaw in this method was the loss of the transfer aspect (unless responder has clubs), which is even more important after an overcall.
My solution was to define all bids from 2 NT through 3 as transfers to the next higher suit, with the provision that transferring to the enemy suit becomes Stayman. Since a bid of 3
is no longer needed, I use it artificially to ask for a stopper.
If an opponent overcalls in a natural suit (4+ cards in suit bid) the general scheme is that responses of 2 NT through 3 are transfers to the next higher suit or Stayman if the next higher suit was bid by the opponent. Texas also applies unless the major above was bid by the opponent, then it shows shortness with slam interest.
1 NT | 2 ![]() | ? | analogous for natural 2 |
Dbl 2 ![]() 2 NT 3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 NT 4 ![]() 4 ![]() 4 ![]() 4 ![]() | | penalty, creates force 5+ spades, weak, NF 5+ clubs 5+ diamonds Stayman 5+ spades, I+ asks for heart stopper sign-off Gerber heart shortness, ST Texas |
If the natural overcall shows a second suit:
1 NT | 2 ![]() | ? | 1. diamonds + hearts |
2 shown Other | takeout, may be just competitive analogous to above |
Only the actual bid that you can double for penalty qualifies for the Stayman or shortness treatment above.
1 NT | 3 ![]() | ? | analogous for 3 |
Dbl 3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 NT 4 ![]() 4 ![]() 4 ![]() ![]() | | negative 5+ hearts 5+ spades asks for club stopper sign-off Gerber Texas |
1 NT | 3 ![]() | ? |
Dbl 3 ![]() 3 NT 4 ![]() 4 ![]() 4 ![]() 4 ![]() | | negative asks for heart stopper sign-off Gerber heart shortness, ST Texas |
To show a minor on the previous two auctions, responder can bid 3 (stopper ask) then his minor (GF). The stopper information may also be helpful in judging slam prospects.
1 NT | 3 ![]() | ? |
Dbl 3 NT 4 ![]() 4 ![]() 4 ![]() | | negative sign-off Gerber Texas spade shortness, ST |
1 NT | 4 ![]() | ? | analogous for 4 |
Dbl 4 ![]() 4 ![]() ![]() | negative diamonds, F natural, NF |
Note transfers are off for interference beyond 3 NT.
1 NT ? | 2 ![]() | 3 ![]() | Pass | analogous for other transfers |
3 ![]() 3 NT 4 ![]() | normal action max, good spade stopper max, good heart fit |
1 NT ? | 2 ![]() | 3 ![]() | Pass | analogous for other Stayman bids |
3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 NT 4 ![]() | no heart stopper, not 4 spades 4+ spades, min if only unshown major heart stopper, not 4 spades 4+ spades, max |
*disallowed if both majors unshown
If opener denies a stopper, followups are natural, and bidding can end in 4 or 4
. Cue of enemy suit by either asks choice of minors (or remaining suits).
1 NT ? | 2 ![]() | 3 ![]() | Pass | analogous for other stopper asks |
3 NT 4 suit Cue 4 NT | heart stopper 4+ cards, no stopper, NF max, no stopper, highest + other suit max, no stopper, two lowest suits |
If an opponent overcalls artificially (not 4+ cards in suit bid) the following structures apply:
1 NT | 2 ![]() | ? | analogous for any artificial 2-bid |
Dbl 2 shown 2 unshown 2 NT 3 ![]() ![]() ![]() 3 ![]() 3 NT 4 ![]() 4 ![]() ![]() | | 8+ HCP, creates force takeout, may be just competitive 5+ cards, NF 5+ cards in next higher suit asks for stopper in shown suit(s) sign-off Gerber Texas |
After an artificial overcall note that transferring to a shown suit is the same as any other.
1 NT | 2 NT1 | ? | 1. minors |
3 ![]() Other | Stayman same as above |
1 NT | 3 ![]() | ? | 1. majors |
3 ![]() Other | minors, may be just competitive same as above |
Note that 4 by responder is always Gerber (jump or not) after interference.
After our 2 NT opening, the same structures apply insofar as possible; i.e., 2 level bids are eliminated, and higher bids keep their meaning.
Structure 7G71 Main | ![]() | Top Transfers in Competition |
© 2019 Richard Pavlicek