Overcalling and Doubling

Introduction

In any Bridge contract, there is only one opener, the player making the first bid. The opposing team are overcallers. The opener’s partner is a responder. This page explains overcalling conventions and constraints.

The purpose of overcalling is to indicate strength, identify a good suit to lead, and interfere with the opening teams bidding process. A game contract is possible but remains a secondary goal. The main objective should be to establish a good suit.

By bidding first, the opponents stake a claim to at least 13 points, so the chances for a game contract are lower and the chance of getting set are higher. Overcalling is risky and bidding should proceed cautiously. While the bidding rules on this page may seem aggressive, the bidding rules encourage an early exit.

The Double and Redouble

The double is a bid that can be made only if the opposing team has made the last bid. The double claims that the bidder will not make the contract. If the opposing team does not make their contract the doubling team gets bonus points for each undertrick beyond the 50 or 100 points when not doubled. If the opposing team makes the contract, then their contract points are double, so they could make game points without a game bid. Doubling can be risky.

After a partnership doubles, the opposing partnership can redouble, if the contract appears to be makeable.

A double and redouble is no longer in effect if there is a follow up bid from either partnership.

Scoring a Double

To score of a successful doubled contract, double the regular contract points. A successful 2 NT contract is worth 70 points. When doubled, it is worth 140 points.

To score of a successful redoubled contract, double the doubled contract points. A successful doubled 2 NT contract is worth 140 points. When redoubled, it is worth 280 points.

To score of overtricks in doubled contract, count 100 points per trick when not vulnerable and count 200 points per trick when vulnerable.

To score of overtricks in redoubled contract, count 200 points per trick when not vulnerable and count 400 points per trick when vulnerable.

To score undertricks in a doubled contract that is not vulnerable, count 100 points for the first trick, 200 points for the next 2 tricks and 300 points thereafter.

To score undertricks in a redoubled contract that is not vulnerable, count 200 points for the first trick, 400 points for the next 2 tricks and 600 points thereafter.

To score undertricks in a doubled contract that is vulnerable, count 200 points for the first trick and 300 points thereafter.

To score undertricks in a redoubled contract that is not vulnerable, count 400 points for the first trick and 600 points thereafter.

The Takeout Double

A double in the first round of bidding sounds like a foolish idea, because most 1-bids can be made. The takeout double is a double in the first round of bidding that indicates an opening hand without a 5-card suit or a very strong hand with 16+ points. In either case, partner must bid, even with no points.

Player Positions

Overcalling strategies vary according to the player’s position at the table. An overcalling position is not related to North, South, East, or West. The dealer starts the bidding and is in the first position. The second position is the next bidder or the player to the dealer’s left. Third position is the third bidder, and fourth position is the last bidder before the dealer bids again, starting the second round of bidding.

General Overcalling Conventions

Some bids apply to any position.

A new suit bid shows a 5-card suit in all cases. 1-NT shows a balanced hand with 15-18 points. Partner should respond to a 1-NT overcall as if it is an opening bid. Don’t overcall a 1-NT opening bid unless you have a good 5-card suit and a solid opening hand. A jump-shift overcall shows 16+ points and a 6-card suit. For example, the opening bid is 1 ♣ and the overcaller bids 2 ♥ instead of a 1-bid. The overcaller shows a 6-card ♥ suit and at least 16 points. If the overcaller has a solid opening hand but no 5-card suit, and your short suit is the opponent’s bid suit, you may issue a takeout double. Your partner is required to name his longest suit, even with no points, unless the opponents issue an intervening bid. If the hand does not fit overcalling constraints, the overcaller should pass. The first overcaller is not obligated to rebid.

Second Position Overcalling

The dealer has made a bid. With no information from the responder or your partner, be cautious. To make a bid, you must have a 5-card suit with 2 honor cards.

Third Position Overcalling

The dealer and your partner have passed, and the second position has made a bid. Be more aggressive. To make a bid, you must have a 5-card suit with 2 honor cards.

Fourth Position Overcalling

Your partner has passed, and your opponents have opened. Bid aggressively. To make a bid, you must have a 5-card suit with 2 honor cards.

Overcall Response with Support

Your partner has overcalled, and you have 3-card support in your partner’s suit.

Overcall Response without Support

You do not have 3-card support of partner’s suit.

With 8+ points and a 5-card suit, you may respond 1 new-suit. With 8 points and a 6-card suit, you may respond 2 new-suit. With 9+ points and a 5-card suit, you may respond 2 new-suit. With 11+ points and no 5-card suit and unbid suits stopped, you may respond 1 NT. Partner’s overcall at the 2-level indicates 10+ points. If you have 11+ points, consider an invitational bid. If the opening bid is followed by a weak response, be a little more aggressive in your overcall response.

An Overcall Example

South opens with 1 ♠. West has 11 points and 5 ♥. An overcall of 2 ♥. is reasonable but aggressive. If East had 11 or more points, East could bid 3 ♥. In this case, East should pass. South could open 1-NT. In that case, West’s hand is not strong enough to bid. West should pass.

Review Questions

Some questions may have more than one correct answer.

The South hand is dealer and opens 1 ♥ with 13 points.

North, with 8 points, can respond 2 ♥.

Use the West and East hands to answer the next 2 questions.

1. What overcall can West make?

2. What is East’s follow-up overcall?

The South hand is dealer and opens 1 ♠ with 13 points.

North is limited to 9 points, so a 1 NT response would apply.

Use the West and East hands hands to answer the next 2 questions.

3. What overcall can West make?

4. North bids 1 NT. What overcall does East make?

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