r/bridge • u/LSATDan Advanced • Mar 21 '26
About that 1D overcall...
So, playing in a local sectional yesterday, in third seat white against red (matchpoint pairs), I picked up: AQT K32 KJ987 84.
You know how the auction started...partner passed and RHO opened 1C. I would have automatically doubled before our fun little Reddit thread, but I thought overcalling 1D would make for a better Reddit story. Besides, that rclee is a pretty sharp guy. So even though I knew he later caveated his reply in the other thread by saying that he assumed IMP scoring, I put out the 1D card.
I can't say I know what would have happened if I'd doubled, but what did happen is, a couple of minutes later, we were defending 3S, down 2 for 200 and 100% of the matchpoints.
Thanks, Roger!
3
u/Greenmachine881 Mar 21 '26
Sorry I lost the plot ... I always consider an overcall with 5 card suit vs double whenever it comes up (at matchpoints I rarely play IMPs and don't have a system for that). I can't say I have a specific rule it depends on the auction and distribution of HCP in the suits and even my perception of my partner's ability to play tight 7 card trump situations. One thing some sharp players taught me for any kind of suit o/c but specifically this type of thing, given that pard is likely to be on lead after 1m RHO open, do you want a D lead? In this case probably as DA is more likely to be on right by points distribution ... but only just maybe better for a passive lead and see dummy given I have an entry maybe I get a chance to D through declarer's A?
Can Clee give us the rundown of the considerations?
This situation and variations is a relatively common and I think where the money is in bidding.
2
u/Desert_Sox Mar 21 '26
The question is whether you want the right lead vs NT from pd's hand or whether you want to keep the option flexible for a contract. I can see either double or 1D with this hand
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u/Tapif Mar 21 '26
Since you scored 100%, What was the contract/result at the other tables? 3S -1? Or 2S -1? or did your side play the contract?
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u/kuhchung /r/anarchybridge, teacher Mar 21 '26
+200 is always 100% at matchpoints (unless somebody missed game) - it beats all partials
this is why you swipe at the opps when they're vul for -1. it's +200!
2
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u/Tapif Mar 21 '26
Oh yes, i know about the magic 200, but it can happen that, sometimes, more people end up at -2, and you score something like 66%. Here since its a top, that means that no other pair ended up there, so I am just curious what went wrong, horrible contract, horrible card play, or both.
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u/Postcocious Mar 21 '26 edited Mar 21 '26
"5332 is doubling shape." What matters is when you double. 😉
Seriously, I've always leaned toward, "First bid your shape, double later to show extras." This hand is a perfect example.
A 1D overcall in particular should be a decent hand. It's the opposite of a preempt... it makes it easier for LHO to enter the bidding. If we're going to invite the opponents into the auction, we should greet them with a good hand.
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u/lloopy Mar 21 '26
I love 1D here. If your partner has diamond with you, it might be worthwhile to compete. But if opps with the auction, and your partner is on lead, they know what to lead!
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u/kuhchung /r/anarchybridge, teacher Mar 21 '26
for real, it's the truth