Weekly Hand Analysis - Glenna Shannahan - March 22, 2021 - Overcall

 

Question: What is the proper overcall for West in this hand?  After the first bid, can West bid again if North bids 3H?

Glenna:

  If I held the West hand, I would overcall 1NT! I can’t make a takeout double because while I have enough points, I don’t have 3-card support for the 3 unbid suits. Cross that bid off your list, You do have 5 ♣️, but they are really not good enough to tell partner that’s the suit you want to play: KJxxx is not as good as KQJTxx which is how your overcall should look.

  SO: with a balanced 17 count, think 1NT stands out to be your best bid as that’s where you can play and be successful. Any time you have NT values and a stopper in the enemy suit, bid NT, Easier to make and worth more points than a 2-level minor.You easily make the contract. Now, if N bids 4 ♥️, lead K ♥️ and she’ll go down! Double only if you’re pretty sure she’s going down.

Hope this helps,

Glenna