To overcall, or to double ?
Doubling is twice as good !
Your enemy to your right has opened with a suit, and your hand is one of those that allows you to choose between bidding either
- a suit overcall at the one or two level
- double for takeout
For example, you have a 5431 or 5332 distribution, with one very weak short suit, honours in 3 suits, and 12+ HCP.
My advice is generally to double for takeout, for three reasons:
- it gives your partner a clearer idea of your strength, promising an opening hand rather than 8 or 10HCP
- it's more descriptive, promising 3 suits, rather than just one
- it keeps the bidding lower.
What if I've got 3 suits and 16+ ?
The choice between doubling and overcalling 1NT is of course much different.
- Both are strong. A double does not deny having 16+ but a 1NT overcall clearly promises it.
- Both are also balanced in a way, but the NT overcall promises a stopper in the bid suit. The latter point in sharp contrast to a double for takeout, which will usually not have such a stopper.
- And finally, a double for takeout is forcing.
Now try the quiz
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