Natural (1Y)
| (1Y) | (Quasi-)NAT |
|---|---|
| X! | T/O, 7.5− NLTC |
| 1Z | 8.5–6.0 NLTC, usually 5+# |
| 1NT | 15–18 HCP, usually BAL 6.5–6.0 NLTC and likely stop |
| 2X | 7.5–6.0 NLTC, 5+# |
| 2Y! | Bailey, 5+ 5+ in the highest and another unbid suit |
| 2Z | PRE, 9.5–8.0 NLTC, usually 6+# |
| 2NT! | UNT, 5+ 5+ in the lowest two unbid suits |
| 3XZ | PRE, 8.5–8.0 NLTC, usually 7+# |
| 3Y! | Gambling, SOL 7+ suit without stopper or STR 7+ suit |
| 3NT! | Gambling, SOL 7+ suit with stopper |
| (1m) | NAT, 3+# or 4432 |
|---|---|
| 2m! | Michaels, 5+♠, 5+♥ |
Minor suit cuebid
Michaels is the de facto standard two-suited overcall. However, I find Bailey cuebids easier to explain: 5+ 5+ two suiters not covered by the unusual 2NT. This is why the table above lists Bailey instead of Michaels.
Bailey and Michaels only differ over minor suits. Over natural minor suits that usually promise 3+ cards, Michaels cuebids excel at showing certain major suits and secure our heart fit. The risk of adopting Bailey is that opponents may shout out (1m)2m(5m) to preempt our potential 4♥.
On the other hand, if the minor suit opening can often be short (0–2 cards), opponents will have a hard time raising their suit. Bailey would be a good bet.
Note that natural openings are protected from brown stickers. Only over an artificial opening can we cue with 5-5 including opponents’ nominal suit.
| (1m) | Overcall | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| NAT, 3+# or 4432 | Michaels 2m | 5+♠, 5+♥ |
| NAT, 0+# | Bailey 2m | 5+♠, 5+ another unbid suit |
| ART | Wilkosz 2♦ | 5+♠♥, 5+ another suit |
P-P(1Y)
By passed hand, overcalls that require opening strength (7.5− NLTC) become one trick weaker. 1NT becomes minor suit oriented takeout.
| P-P(1Y) | (Quasi-)NAT |
|---|---|
| X | T/O, 8.5− NLTC |
| 1NT! | T/O, 8.5− NLTC, 4+ 4+ in the lowest two unbid suits |
| 2X | 8.5− NLTC, 5+# |
(1Y)P
Balancing overcalls tend to be intermediate. Jump overcalls are sound because there is no one to preempt. On the other hand, constructive overcalls are light because partner may have passed a weak notrump.
Unpassed 2NT is no longer unusual because we’ve got more steps on the notrump ladder.
- 13–15 HCP: 1NT
- 16–18 HCP: X, then notrump
- 19–21 HCP: 2NT
| (1Y)P- | - |
|---|---|
| X | T/O, 8+ HCP |
| 1Z | 8–15 HCP, 4+# |
| 1NT | 13–15 HCP with stopper |
| 2X | 8–15 HCP, 5+# |
| 2Z, 3X | 11–15 HCP, 6+# |
| 2NT | 19–21 HCP with stopper |