<p>The short answer is that your supposition is correct. Just be sure to discuss it with your partner since you always want him to know what to expect.</p>

<p>For more see Mike Lawrence's <a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/3923889751367429973?q=The%20Complete%20Book%20of%20Overcalls%20in%20Contract%20Bridge" rel="nofollow">The Complete Book of Overcalls in Contract Bridge</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-27T22:49:53.680Z
2014-07-27T22:49:53.680Z
Adam Wildavsky
<p>I like to think that 1-level overcalls have three purposes, at least two of which should be fulfilled to justify the overcall:</p>

<ol>
<li>Showing values</li>
<li>Directing the defense (ie showing a good suit you want partner to lead)</li>
<li>Preempting the opponents</li>
</ol>

<p>So eg I'm happier to overcall 1S over 1C with a weaker hand than over 1H.</p>

<p>2-level overcalls are trickier. It is far easier for opponents to penalize you at the 2-level, and it's more difficult for your side to make the game-partscore decision when you have the bulk of the high cards because there's less bidding room.</p>

<p>One rule I've heard is that a minimum opener with 5332 shape is insufficient for a 2-over-1 overcall, but many ten-counts with a good 6-card suit are sufficient. And it does seem reasonable to stretch a little to bid 2C over 1D, but not too far. As a friend of mine likes to say, 2-level overcalls are serious business.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-26T23:24:11.477Z
I've kind of wondered about 2. If South opens 1 spade, and you're West (in the direct seat), you're going to open anyway. If you're East, you will need to overcall to direct the lead, but then you're in the balancing seat, where a different set of rules apply.
Tom Au
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-27T00:41:31.257Z
Sometimes responder becomes declarer (especially when the opening bid was one of a minor). Sometimes you have a broken honor holding in your suit and can't afford to lead it yourself, so you hope to get partner in with your opening lead so they can switch to your suit.
ruds
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-26T23:19:31.963Z
2014-07-27T00:42:14.910Z
2014-07-27T00:42:14.910Z
ruds
<p>In bridge, if you overcall two clubs over an opening one spade, you haven't taken up much bidding space, because your overcall hasn't kept your opponents out of any suits, only one NT.</p>

<p>If you overcall two clubs over one diamond, you've done quite a bit more damage, because you have prevent your opponents from bidding a major (or no trump) at the one level.</p>

<p>Does it therefore follow that you can overcall two clubs with a slightly weaker hand over one diamond than a one spade bid because the "disruption" to the opponents is significantly greater?</p>

<p>That is, assuming all other things being equal, like vulnerability and part scores. Perhaps the type of game might make a difference in the answers.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-27T13:35:18.177Z
There's a world of difference between "Can one ...?" and "Should one ...?" I *can* rob a bank, but I shouldn't and won't. What is your question, as your use of *can* actually implies a question of legality in this case rather than appropriateness and wisdom.
Forget I was ever here
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-28T14:22:38.123Z
@PieterGeerkens: OK, changed to "should."
Tom Au
<bridge><bidding>
Should you overcall with a (slightly) weaker hand if it is more "disruptive?"
Tom Au
# Should you overcall with a (slightly) weaker hand if it is more "disruptive?"

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-07-26)

In bridge, if you overcall two clubs over an opening one spade, you haven't taken up much bidding space, because your overcall hasn't kept your opponents out of any suits, only one NT.

If you overcall two clubs over one diamond, you've done quite a bit more damage, because you have prevent your opponents from bidding a major (or no trump) at the one level.

Does it therefore follow that you can overcall two clubs with a slightly weaker hand over one diamond than a one spade bid because the "disruption" to the opponents is significantly greater?

That is, assuming all other things being equal, like vulnerability and part scores. Perhaps the type of game might make a difference in the answers.

**Tags:** bridge, bidding

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: There's a world of difference between "Can one ...?" and "Should one ...?" I *can* rob a bank, but I shouldn't and won't. What is your question, as your use of *can* actually implies a question of legality in this case rather than appropriateness and wisdom.  
> **username_0**: @PieterGeerkens: OK, changed to "should."  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-07-27. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

The short answer is that your supposition is correct. Just be sure to discuss it with your partner since you always want him to know what to expect.

For more see Mike Lawrence's [The Complete Book of Overcalls in Contract Bridge](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/3923889751367429973?q=The%20Complete%20Book%20of%20Overcalls%20in%20Contract%20Bridge).


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-07-26. Score: 3

I like to think that 1-level overcalls have three purposes, at least two of which should be fulfilled to justify the overcall:

1. Showing values
2. Directing the defense (ie showing a good suit you want partner to lead)
3. Preempting the opponents

So eg I'm happier to overcall 1S over 1C with a weaker hand than over 1H.

2-level overcalls are trickier. It is far easier for opponents to penalize you at the 2-level, and it's more difficult for your side to make the game-partscore decision when you have the bulk of the high cards because there's less bidding room.

One rule I've heard is that a minimum opener with 5332 shape is insufficient for a 2-over-1 overcall, but many ten-counts with a good 6-card suit are sufficient. And it does seem reasonable to stretch a little to bid 2C over 1D, but not too far. As a friend of mine likes to say, 2-level overcalls are serious business.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I've kind of wondered about 2. If South opens 1 spade, and you're West (in the direct seat), you're going to open anyway. If you're East, you will need to overcall to direct the lead, but then you're in the balancing seat, where a different set of rules apply.  
> **username_3**: Sometimes responder becomes declarer (especially when the opening bid was one of a minor). Sometimes you have a broken honor holding in your suit and can't afford to lead it yourself, so you hope to get partner in with your opening lead so they can switch to your suit.  

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