How to Bid Defensively in Bridge (Lesson 8)

When your opponent has opened the bidding, any overcall you make is interpreted as a "defensive" bid. If your side is not Vulnerable, you will be able to compete more aggressively. An overcall of one Heart may guide your partner to make a killing opening lead of a Heart against the opposition final game contract. You may also push the opponents to an unmakeable contract with a series of same-suit bids, especially if your partner encourages it. On some occasions, you might "steal" a part score contract if it discourages competing bids. The defensive bid can be a powerful weapon indeed!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A well-lighted and ventilated room
• A card-size table
• Pens/Pencils and paper for keeping score
• 2 standard decks of playing cards
• 4 enthusiastic players

1. BASIC REQUIREMENTS
   
   
   
   To overcall an opponent's opening bid at the one level or two level over 1H/1S, you must have at least 10+ HCP and a five-card suit. It is strongly desirable that your suit have at least two honor cards and 5+ card length. When you overcall an opponent's 1 NT opener, your hand must have 13+ HCP, or extreme distributional features. You are hoping that your partner may be able to provide three-card trump support for you.

2. VULNERABILITY
   
   
   
   If your side has scored a game toward the match (called a "rubber"), your overcall must be stronger. This is especially true of your trump suit. Remember, you are competing against an opening hand by the opposition. The penatlies will be severe for a "set" (defeated) contract if you overstretch your values or bid a weak suit.

3. STRONG DEFENSIVE BIDS
   
   
   
   If you hold an opening (13+ HCP) hand of your own, with a good suit, and your right hand opponent makes an opening bid of his own ahead of you, be prepared to take action. You may consider exploring for game if your partner responds. Major suits are always preferable. If you do not have a 5-card suit, with 13+ HCP, you will be bidding a "take out" double (covered in the next installment of this series).

4. NO TRUMP OVERCALLS
   
   
   
   Any overcall of 1 NT, promises 16 to 18 HCP, no 5-card major suit and a balanced hand. This is the same requirement as the first seat opening bid of 1 NT. A jump overcall to 2 NT (over a one level suit bid) promises 19+ HCP and NT distribution.

5. PREEMPTIVE DEFENSIVE BIDS (AFTER AN OPPONENT'S OPENER)
   
   
   
   If you have a decent 7-card suit and less than 10 HCP, you have the basis of a three bid. This has the effect of jamming the opponent's communication. It also paves the path for a possible "sacrifice" bid against game. Vulnerability is the key factor here. You must not have a weak preemptive suit. You are hoping that partner will provide a key trump or a side Ace or two.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the overcall to your advantage and explore for a suit "fit."
• Major suits rule! Always explore major suit contracts.
• If your side is non-vulnerable, you will have an advantage in the bidding.
• If you rebid an overcalled suit, you are promising six or more cards in that suit.
• Support any major suit overcall by partner if you hold 3+ trump and at least 8+ HCP.
• Do not overcall with a hand, a hand that has a weak primary suit.
• Minor suits (Diamonds, Clubs) are less desirable for defensive bidding.
• If your side is Vulnerable, you must be disciplined with your overcalls.