Convention of the week = MAXIMAL OVERCALL DOUBLES

(courtesy Mathews Granovetter)

You pick up:

ª AKxxx

© x

¨ AJx

§ QTxx

RHO opens 1H. You overcall 1S. The auction continues:

-- -- -- 1H

1S 2H 2S 3H

?

What is your call?

Convention of the Week: Maximal Overcall Doubles

After partner has raised your major, your RHO bids the suit directly

below your suit. Now your double is a game try.

1S pass 2S 3H

dbl

This double has nothing to do with hearts. It merely invites partner

to bid 4S. A 3S bid by you would be merely competitive, perhaps

showing some extra distribution, but not inviting game.

1H 2D 2H 3D

dbl

Same thing, inviting game in hearts. Responder is expected to bid 3H

or 4H and not leave in the double (unless he has an exceptional trump

stack).

1H 2C 2H 3C

?

Here 3D is used for the artificial game try, and the maximal overcall

double does not apply.

1S 2D 2S 3D

?

Some people play that 3H is a natural game try, and double is still

the maximal overcall double. It's up to your partnership to discuss

this.

Back to our preview:

ª AKxxx

© x

¨ AJx

§ QTxx

-- -- -- 1H

1S 2H 2S 3H

?

What is your call?

Double. This is also a maximal overcall double, despite the fact that

the opponent did not overcall (you're the one who overcalled!). But

the formula still applies.

Formula:

Your partner raises you.

RHO bids the suit directly under your suit.

Double = a game try.

What do you lose by playing Maximal Overcall Doubles?

-----------------------------------------------------

The ability to make a business double of RHO's bid. This is a rare

situation, but you'll have to pass when you want to penalize the

overcaller.

Check List: Maximal Overcall Doubles

___ When partner has raised your suit and RHO bids the suit

directly under your suit.

___ Also applies when you have bid and raised spades and RHO

bids 3D (allowing 3H by you to be natural).