Structure 7G75 by Richard Pavlicek

Three-Level Cue-Bid Overcall

In a Nutshell

A common expert practice is to use a three-level cue-bid overcall (e.g., 1

) to ask partner to bid 3 NT with a stopper in the enemy suit. Overcaller implies a long, running minor suit, needing only a stopper for nine tricks. A reasonable treatment, but too narrow in scope.

I define the bid more generally as any strong one-suiter (excluding the enemy bid suit). My intention could be the same (to reach 3 NT), or I could have a major intending to bid game there next. I have specialized responses, not only to show a stopper but also to indicate the number of controls (slam is sometimes in reach).

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Details

Any 3-level cue-bid as our side’s first action shows a strong one-suited hand (not in the suit cue-bid) provided the enemy has not bid notrump. This may be a jump cue-bid over one of a suit or a nonjump cue-bid over two of a suit, but it must be at the 3 level.

Cue-bidder should have a self-sufficient suit and about 8 1/2 playing tricks or more. If the suit is a major, cue-bidder should have a singleton or void in the cue-bid suit (else double).

West
1 X

1 X
any
North
3 X
(or)
P
?
(etc.) East
any

2 X
South
?

3 X

•
•

•
• Call
Lowest option*
Next option*
Double
New major
3 NT
4 NT
5 NT Meaning
0-2 controls; no stopper if below 3 NT
3+ controls; no stopper
trump stack; penalty
6+ cards; F if below game
stopper in cue-bid suit
stopper; 3+ outside controls
control stopper; 3+ outside controls
*Options include, in order: pass (if RHO bids or doubles), redouble, cheaper minor, and next minor. Use what is available.

Rebids by cue-bidder:

West
1 X
any

North
3 X
?
(etc.)

East
any

South
any

Call
Suit, pass
4 NT Meaning
real suit; NF
Blackwood (even over 3 NT)

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