Think What You Are Telling the Opponents

Frank Srewart has been one of my  favorite bridge experts for many years.  He inherited his present bridge column from Alfred Sheinwold (my hero) and his latest effort demonstrates the virtue of disciplined bidding.

In Sunday’s St. Pete Times, Stewart illustrates the virtue of NOT making an overcall just to hear the sound of your voice.  Without an overcall, N-S will reach a reasonable slam that will go down with reasonable defense.

Because West decides to overcall with a weak spade suit, South knows what West must have the CA and most of the other missing values.  South can now plan the play differently and success follows.  

As Stewart so adroitly notes, before you overcall, consider what you may gain or lose.  An overcall should have constructive, lead-directing, preemptive, or competitive value.  If it doesn’t, don’t overcall.

As I have cited in several other columns, discipline is not a four-letter word, especially when making an overcall.  Thinking before you bid is not alertable” - it’s just good bridge.

Sincerely, Jim Somma