Bridge in a nutshell
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
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UNUSUAL 2NT OVERCALL
Surendra Mehta
August 2007
Unusual 2NT Overcall
After an opponent opening bid of one of a
suit, a direct jump to 2NT is unusual.
Hitherto this has meant a very strong hand
(20 – 22 points) with a stopper in
opponents suit.
Some Bridge players make a jump 2NT
overcall to mean something else.
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
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Unusual 2 NT Overcall
 It shows 5:5 distribution in the two lowest unbid
suits, and a fairly weak hand (normally 7-15
points)
 Over 1 or 1, 2NT shows at least 5:5 in clubs
and diamonds
 Over 1, 2NT shows at least 5:5 in clubs and
hearts
 Over 1, 2NT shows at least 5:5 in diamonds and
hearts
 Simpler version: Over 1 of a minor, 2NT shows 5
cards in both the major suits and over 1 of a
major, 2NT shows 5 cards in both minor suits
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
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Additional Unusual Auctions
The Unusual 2NT can also be used after both opponents have
bid, as in these situations:
 1H Pass 1S 2NT
 1H Pass 2H 2NT
 1S Pass 1NT 2NT
 If opponents bid 2 different suits, then 2NT indicates 5
cards in both the remaining suits
 The Unusual 2NT convention is useful because it gives up
the strong 20-21 point natural 2NT overcall, which
practically never occurs, in exchange for pre-empting the
opponents and paving the way for a possible good sacrifice.
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
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Unusual No Trump Overcall
Unusual 2NT is like a pre-emptive bid but
you can show 2 suits in one bid!!
If vulnerable, your suit quality should be
fairly solid with 2 honours in each suit
Alert!
The 2 NT overcall should be alerted, as it is not a natural
bid. Responses to 2NT are NOT alertable.
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
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Partner’s Response to Unusual 2NT –
Example 1
West
East
K 9
10 7 3 4 2
K J 10 8 2
Q 9 5
9 2
Q 6 4
A K 7 6 3
Q 5
90% of the time you will bid your better suit at the lowest
level
West North East
South
1
2NT
Pass
3
2NT shows  and , so East bids his better suit - 3
If North has made a bid, East will still bid 3, if that bid is
available.
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
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Partner’s Response to Unusual 2NT –
Example 2
West
K 9
8 2
K 10 9 7 2
A K 7 6 3
West North East
East
10 7 3 4 2
K 9 5
Q 6 4
Q 5
South
1
2NT
Pass
3
2NT shows both minors, so East bids his better suit - 3
If North has made a bid, East will still bid 3, if that bid is
available.
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
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Partner’s Response to Unusual 2NT –
Example 3
West
9
8 2
K 10 9 7 2
A K 7 6 3
West North East
2NT
Pass
East
10 7 3
10 4 3
Q J 6 4
Q 4 2
South
1
4
With a good fit for one of partner’s suits (at least 4 cards), you
can jump a level – this is a pre-emptive and not
invitational. Perhaps your bid will stop the opponents
finding their major suit game.
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
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Disadvantages of Unusual 2NT
Overacall
 You or your partner might forget this is unusual
 Your partner may make a mistake in deciding which are
your two long suits – Play simpler version. Must agree with
your partner which version you are playing.
 Occasionally playing unusual NT will lead you a contract
where you will go down heavily
 You can no longer use 2NT overcall to show 20-22 points.
 Generally, in duplicate game, the advantages outweigh
disadvantages. Normal 2NT overcall showing 20-22 points is
very rare. If you have such a hand, double first, and then
bid NT – showing 19+ points.
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
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Defence against Unusual 2NT Overacall
The old-fashioned approach to
dealing with these overcalls was to
use cuebids of the opponent's suits to
show stoppers or controls.
For example, after 1H by partner,
and 2NT by RHO (clubs and
diamonds), your 3D cue-bid would
show a diamond stopper and ask
partner to bid 3NT with a club
stopper.
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
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How would you bid on this hand?
Dealer South; N/S vulnerable
North
 10 9 6 5
West
 J
 Q4
 A Q 10 9 8
 Q J 10 9 7
 A K 10 8 7
 743
 6
872
 J9653
 J62
 K5
South
 AKQ43
 2
 K5
 A8432
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
East
12
N
E
3
Pass
Pass
Pass
S
1
4
Pass
W
2NT
Pass
North
 10 9 6 5
West
 J
 Q4
 A Q 10 9 8
 Q J 10 9 7
 A K 10 8 7
 743
 6
East
872
 J9653
 J62
 K5
South
 AKQ43
 2
 K5
 A8432
Surendra Mehta August 2007 2007
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