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400: The Defense – Bidding

When you are on defense there are several ways (called systems) you can communicate with your partner. Of course you can only communicate using the cards you put down, your partner needs to watch carefully and try to watch for your signals. These lessons cover a few of the more commonly used systems and are intended as general guides for players and are not intended to be rigid failsafe rules.

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There are two ways of entering the auction after the opponents have opened.

You can overcall if you have a good 5+ card suit. Remember that points aren’t important for an overcall but you do need a good suit.
The other way of entering the auction is with a double. Strength does matter for a double. You should have at least 13 TP and support for the unbid suits.

This is really important! If your partner doubles, then you must bid, unless your right-hand opponent bids and thus cancels the double. If your partner overcalls then you shouldn’t bid unless you have a fit with your partner. You will only need 3-card support to ensure a fit, because an overcall promises a 5-card suit.