Standard American Lesson 15

Overcall or Double?

There are two ways of entering the auction after the opponents have opened.

• You can overcall if you have a good 5+ card suit. Remember that points aren’t important for an overcall but you do need a good suit.
• The other way of entering the auction is with a double. Strength does matter for a double. You should   have at least 13 TP and support for the unbid suits.

This is really important!   If your partner doubles, then you must bid, unless your right-hand opponent bids and thus cancels the double. If your partner overcalls then you shouldn’t bid unless you have a fit with your partner. You will only need 3-card support to ensure a fit, because an overcall promises a 5-card suit.

Do you overcall or bid on this hand and why? (Answer is in Lesson 8 and Lesson 16)
Do you overcall or bid on this hand and why? (Answer is in Lesson 8 and Lesson 16)
PREVIOUS LESSON - Responding to NoTrump Rebids     NEXT LESSON - Takeout Doubles

1.	Introduction To Bridge - Hand Evaluation
2.	Opening Bids
3.	Bidding Game
4.	Responder Bidding
5.	Opener Rebids
6.	Responder Suit Bids
7.	Responder No Trump Bids
9.	Responding To Overcalls
10.	Opening 1NT
11.	Responding With Balanced Hands
12.	Responding With An Unbalanced Hand
13.	NoTrump Rebids
14.	Responses To NoTrump Rebids
15.	Overcall Or Double
16.	Takeout Doubles
17.	Responses To Takeout Doubles
18.	Opening 2NT
19.	Responses To 2NT
20.	Opening Strong 2 Clubs
21.	Responding to a Strong 2 Club Opening
22.	Responding to an Opening Weak 2 Bid

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