Bridge - The Scotsman 30/11/2012
One reason for bridge’s continuing popularity is that there is always something new to learn. When your right hand opponent opens one of a suit it is highly unlikely that you want to overcall a natural 2NT. So a 2NT overcall is unusual, showing the two lowest unbid suits: over one of a major it shows both minors; over one of a minor it shows hearts and the other minor. One South thought she had the ideal hand for a 2NT overcall of 1D. Her thinking had two flaws.
After 1D-Pass-Pass one might ask: where are the spades? Since you do not want to hear anyone bid spades the practical bid is 4H, a contract that must have good chances no matter what partner holds. More seriously, bids traditionally have different meanings in the re-opening seat.
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Hide AdThe auction often marks partner with some values, perhaps with length in the suit opened. Double becomes very wide-ranging and strong hands need to be shown with strong bids. A jump overcall is not weak, and 2NT is natural and strong, around 19-22. These were North’s methods, so he made a quantitative raise to 4NT. South, rather puzzled, showed her aces. The subsequent 6NT contract was not a success.