Handling Interference over Artificial Bids
Posted: 04 Jul 2025, 17:44
When the opponents interfere over your artificial bid, you have two new steps available: double (or redouble), and pass. If the interference is a bid then they have also taken away one or more steps. We are interested in whether the net result is a loss of bidding space for the responses.
What I suggest is the following.
1. The following applies whenever an opponent overcalls our artificial bid, our auction is already forcing beyond the level of the overcall, and another method is not already agreed for the situation.
2. When the overcall is 1 above (for example 2NT - P - 3♣ - 3♦), pass and double both replace that bid, with double showing values in the suit and open to a penalty pass. Bids otherwise retain their normal meaning.
3. When the overcall is 2 above (for example 2NT - P - 3♣ - 3♥), pass replaces the 1-above bid and double replaces 2-above. Bids otherwise retain their normal meaning.
4. After higher overcalls bidding is natural. Or if partner was asking for aces or key cards then DEPO applies, and if it was optional minorwood then the first step (to discourage) is lost.
Let's look at some examples.
(a) Opener bids 1♠ and responder bids 2NT (Jacoby). Next hand overcalls 3♣. Opener's choices are: Pass = singleton club (replacing 3♣); Dbl = can't have both a singleton club and values in clubs, so for penalty; 3♦/♥ = singleton; 3♠ = slammish, no short suit; etc.
(b) If the above overcall is instead 3♦: Pass = singleton club; Dbl - singleton diamond; 3♥ = singleton heart; etc.
(c) 1♠ opening, 3♣ (Bergen) response and next hand overcalls 3♥. We were forced to 3♠ which is above the 3♥ level, so the rule applies. Pass = replaces 3♦, which would be a game try showing something in diamonds; Dbl = similarly showing values in hearts, so you might choose a penalty pass; 3♠ = signoff
(d) After 1♠ - (3♦) - 4NT - (5♦): Pass = 1 or 4 key cards; Double = 0 or 3 key cards; 5♥ = 2 without the queen; 5♠ = 2 with the queen
(e) After 1♠ - (3♥) - 4NT - (5♥): Double = 0, 2 or 4 key cards (an Even number); Pass = 1, 3 or 5 key cards (an Odd number)
What I suggest is the following.
1. The following applies whenever an opponent overcalls our artificial bid, our auction is already forcing beyond the level of the overcall, and another method is not already agreed for the situation.
2. When the overcall is 1 above (for example 2NT - P - 3♣ - 3♦), pass and double both replace that bid, with double showing values in the suit and open to a penalty pass. Bids otherwise retain their normal meaning.
3. When the overcall is 2 above (for example 2NT - P - 3♣ - 3♥), pass replaces the 1-above bid and double replaces 2-above. Bids otherwise retain their normal meaning.
4. After higher overcalls bidding is natural. Or if partner was asking for aces or key cards then DEPO applies, and if it was optional minorwood then the first step (to discourage) is lost.
Let's look at some examples.
(a) Opener bids 1♠ and responder bids 2NT (Jacoby). Next hand overcalls 3♣. Opener's choices are: Pass = singleton club (replacing 3♣); Dbl = can't have both a singleton club and values in clubs, so for penalty; 3♦/♥ = singleton; 3♠ = slammish, no short suit; etc.
(b) If the above overcall is instead 3♦: Pass = singleton club; Dbl - singleton diamond; 3♥ = singleton heart; etc.
(c) 1♠ opening, 3♣ (Bergen) response and next hand overcalls 3♥. We were forced to 3♠ which is above the 3♥ level, so the rule applies. Pass = replaces 3♦, which would be a game try showing something in diamonds; Dbl = similarly showing values in hearts, so you might choose a penalty pass; 3♠ = signoff
(d) After 1♠ - (3♦) - 4NT - (5♦): Pass = 1 or 4 key cards; Double = 0 or 3 key cards; 5♥ = 2 without the queen; 5♠ = 2 with the queen
(e) After 1♠ - (3♥) - 4NT - (5♥): Double = 0, 2 or 4 key cards (an Even number); Pass = 1, 3 or 5 key cards (an Odd number)