Phillip Alder Bridge

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The overcaller paid a great price

North

	5 3
	Q 7 2
	9 7 6 5 3
	8 5 4

West

	K 10 7 4
	J 10 9 8
	8 2
	A 6 3

East

	J 6
	A K 4
	A J 10 4
	Q J 10 9

South

	A Q 9 8 2
	6 5 3
	K Q
	K 7 2

Dealer: East
Vulnerable: Neither

South	West	North	East
			1NT
2	Dble	All Pass

Opening lead:

     H.L. Mencken said, “Suicide is belated acquiescence in the opinion of one's wife's relatives.”
     In today's deal, though, we see a different form of suicide, one that might turn partner from philosophical to homicidal! First, though, what do you need to overcall a strong notrump in terms of suit length and high-card count?
     It is an excellent idea to be playing an intervening system that shows two-suiters, which obviously doubles your chance of finding a fit with partner. But if you do overcall with a one-suited hand, you must have at least six cards in that suit.
     Point-count is less important. Against a strong notrump, unless you hit a big major-suit fit, you get into the auction, hopefully find a fit, and get out again. You do not look for game.
     In this deal from a social game many years ago, South's two-spade overcall was horrendous. And he got what he deserved when West made a penalty double. (Many tournament pairs use negative doubles in this position.)
     West led his heart jack, and the defenders took three tricks in that suit. East shifted to the club queen, and they took three tricks there. East cashed his diamond ace before playing the 13th club. South ruffed with his spade nine, and West overruffed with the ten. Now West led the 13th heart, East trumping with his spade jack. South overruffed with his queen and cashed the diamond king, but he had to lose two more trump tricks.
     Were you counting? That was down five, plus 1,100 to East-West, when all they could make was a nonvulnerable game.