Weekly Hand Analysis - Mark Olsky - April 29, 2024 - Overcall

Mark:

Since the bidding isn't provided, I have to try some inference. The wording of the question suggests that N-S have done some bidding while East has passed, otherwise, it wouldn't be an overcall. The most likely sequence before it got to West is N opening 1 club and S responding 1 spade. This gives W an easy choice: DOUBLE. This shows both of the unbid suits. It doesn't have to be so strong or so distributional, but it's within the meaning of the call.

  If there had been only one suit bid before it got to West, presumably clubs or spades, there are ways to show a highly unbalanced 2- suiter. Over 1 of a major (spades in this case) 2 spades would show hearts and a minor, probably 5-5 or better. Over 1 of a minor (1 club in this case) 2NT would show the 2 lower unbid suits, hearts and diamonds in this case. In either scenario, whichever unbid suit partner chooses, W, having well over minimum strength for the takeout double,Michaels or Unusual NT, would raise the suit partner bid. There's no need to jump to game. A raise is plenty strong in this case and allows for the possibility that partner has very little to contribute. Remember that (unless partner has unusual strength and length in the suit that was doubled for takeout, partner is  forced to choose one of the suits suggested by the call, even is the responder's best choice is a doubleton, rarely even a singleton! 

  If there had been no prior bid when it was West's turn, it would be more appropriate to open 1 diamond, then to bid and even rebid hearts. That would show 5- 6 in hearts and diamonds as well as a strong hand. The reason it's recommended to open 1 diamond on this hand is that the hand is strong enough for a reverse. With a weaker hand (For example, the same heart suit but KQJxxx in diamonds) it is best to open 1 heart to try for a major suit fit. You aren't strong enough to keep bidding if partner gives no encouragement.

  As you can see, 4 hearts is easy to make and should be bid by E-W, provided W bids as suggested and E understands the strength partner is showing, as well as the fact that the partnership owns an 8 card fit.