Source: Mr Bridge
Nobody is vulnerable and RHO deals and opens 3
. What do you do with this?
You have a hand on which you would happily open 3
non-vulnerable but you should not overcall 3
because they opened with a weak bid. Say you bid 3
and LHO raises to 4
, which partner doubles (cards, not strict penalties) —what now? Have a look at the full deal:
If you bid 4
at this point, you will be doubled and lose six tricks (two diamonds and a ruff, two spades and one club) costing 500. If you pass, you will concede 4
+1 for minus 690. Yet partner surely was entitled to double because you overcalled at the three level and he had 10 points with a singleton in your suit. The point is that, when the opponents make a weak bid, then your side should bid constructively hoping to reach game (or sometimes a slam).
Do not make the mistake of bidding on a weak hand over their weak bid. (I remember learning: ‘don’t pre-empt over a pre-empt’ ?) Another example:
RHO opens 2
(weak) at game all. Do not make the mistake of overcalling 3
. If you do, this could be the layout.
Partner will try 3NT and with some confidence! West will double and you will go for 500 on a soft defence and possibly 800 or 1100, yet partner could hardly pass 3
. Remember it is important when bidding over a weak bid that partner can trust that you will not be weak too. The opposite is true when bidding over a strong bid. You do not want to bid on a good hand and tell them where the cards are or concede a penalty when you had enough to beat them. Now your aim is not to get to game but to obstruct the opponents’ bidding or, occasionally, to find a good sacrifice.
For example:
RHO opens 2
(game force or 23-24 balanced). Your side is at favourable vulnerability. Do not be afraid to get in their way. Try overcalling 3
( ‘weak over strong’). Maybe the full deal is something like:
Opponents are cold for 7
or 7
, or 7NT. Good luck to them in finding it; they will struggle even to reach the small slam after your 3
bid. If you pass, West can respond 2
and over East’s 2NT rebid can bid 3
showing a slam try with both minors (a 3
transfer would show spades); now they are well on their way.
Summary
The point is to bid destructively when they make a strong bid and to bid constructively when they make a weak bid. In other words: Bid Weak Over Strong and Strong Over Weak!
