[AL78]

Recently I have been experimenting a little with trying to increase my aggression in the bidding to see if it helps or hinders my scores and/or improves my normally woeful declarer frequency. The results are inconclusive so far but I got punished for an aggressive overcall yesterday:

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It almost worked but I went for -200 after I misguessed the trumps (given North has shown at least nine red cards I played South for the queen) which was worth 2/14 MPs. One off would have got us a joint top as almost all the NS pairs were playing in a red suit contract making at least nine tricks. The one other pair in 3♠ did manage eight tricks so they probably managed to pick up the spoade queen.

I wouldn't normally overcall with a dirt minimum flat hand vulnerable but with a five card spade suit with two honors I decided to stick my neck out this time.

[mikeh]

Mps requires aggression, but there are limits. Your hand isn’t, imo, worth an overcall.

Why?

1. Weak suit. Especially with no spot cards…even the 9 would help) though not, imo,enough to offset the other flaws

2. Horrible shape. 5332 is the worst shape for an aggressive overcall and xxx in opener’s suit is terrible, even if it’s a minor (it’s even worse if a 5 card major)

3. Minimal hcp. Getting in as weak as a 7 count is probably a bad idea when vulnerable but one might rationalize it with good texture and good shape. Say AQ109x xx x Jxxxx. I think ‘everyone’ would bid 1S.

4. A weak partner. If you’re going to butt in aggressively, your partner HAS to be on the same page. It’s horrific if your partner expects a good hand and (mis)bids accordingly.

Actually, the entire hand is a bit of a comedy of errors. Tge negative double is fine, but west, looking at a good hand with support, should cuebid 2D…after which she can pass in comfort, leaving further decisions to you because she’s already told her story.

Opener’s 3H is silly. He has a dead minimum made even worse on the bidding….does he really think the spade queen is still a working card? Plus…and this is one of the things that distinguishes good players from weak, his partner is still there

When he volunteers 3H, he’s showing a ‘good’ hand, with modest extras. This is essential since responder should be permitted to raise to game with say an 11 count. Pass is not a swear word and doesn’t end the auction (although a slow pass…which most weak players who’ve learned not to overbid tend to commit until they improve a bit more….should bar responder unless responder has a very clear action). The usual approach, on most hands, is for responder to reopen with a double, over which north bids 3H, limiting his hand.


Yes, I see that N-S can make 3H…they do have to guess diamonds. But it is critical not to analyze one’s game by reference to any specific hand (when discussing general principles).

Aggression isn’t ‘making bad bids’. It’s a philosophy, and both partners have to play by the same philosophy or at least understand where they differ….I’m much more conservative than my regular partners and they know it, just as I know not to hang them when they stretch.

[mw64ahw]

Swap the J for the Q and I'd open, but I tend to psyche with less.
If West wants to raise they have 2♠, 2♦, 3♠, etc. Having shown the competitive raise leave it up to partner to make the call over 3♥; what does the 3♠ bid now show especially vulnerable?

[Gilithin]

The line as to whether this is an overcall or not is very much down to agreement but it seems to me that the main issue here is West's advance strategy. West has a 3 card limit raise so they can show this simply and easily by advancing 2♦ and respecting a 2♠ rebid from partner. If you decide for some reason that the hand is a weak raise, you bid 2♠ and pass thereafter. If you are not playing in game, why would you go beyond the LOTT level here?
Let me heartily recommend that you and your partner take some time reading through PBaB. Whether you adopt the suggested methods or not, just understanding the competitive principles will be enormously valuable.

[sfi]

It’s much better to be aggressive when you are learning, because the feedback is clearer to see. Conservative bidding feels safer but you often don’t see where you might have pushed them around or gotten a nice penalty. Plus you learn to play cards better when you wind up in tough spots.

I don’t really have a problem with the overcall. Some of my partners would bid it, others not, and I know which are which. But you absolutely have to be able to not be pushed to 3S here.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I would make the 1S overcall without thinking, the main issue is your partners auction.
He should bid 2D instead of 2S and leave the decision to bid over 3H to you.

I am not a Law fanatic, but the Law helps to avoid stupid actions like the delayed 2S / 3S.
You can translate those bids: Partner you are stupid, you dont see / follow the action,
and I have to decide for you.


If partner cant change his ways, you are better of keeping your mouth shut.
I was told a sentence: Only apes climb to the top of a tree alone.

With kind regards
Marlowe