The Bridge World

Beall Competitive Structure
after a Two-Level Overcall

by Ron Beall

The Beall Competitive Structure when the opponents overcall a one-of-a-suit opening at the two level (see Both Sides Now in The Bridge World regarding overcalls at the one level), is appropriate for most five-card-major systems, including Standard American, Bridge World Standard, and Precision. It allows responder to:

Define support strength precisely (from 4 to 19-plus support points)
Differentiate between three- and four-card support when partner opens in a major
Use negative free bids (sometimes as a transfer), traditional negative doubles, and splinter raises
Clearly define weak, invitational, and forcing sequences
Use a multi-tiered approach that is easy to learn

Similar methods can be used when our side overcalls and responder bids at the two level.

After a Major-Suit Opening

With three-card support, after any two-level overcall except one heart — (two spades):

Single raise: 6-9 support points
Cue-bid: 10-12 or 16-18 support points
Three notrump: 13-15 (or 19-plus) support points

With four-plus-card support, after a one-spade opening and a natural two-level overcall:

Three spades: 4(5)-6 support points nonvulnerable (vulnerable)
One step below three spades excluding a cue-bid: 7-8 or 13-14 support points
Two steps below three spades excluding a cue-bid: 9-10 or 15-16 support points
Two notrump: 11-12 or 17-plus support points [other meanings possible]
Four of a suit other than spades: splinter; slam-try
Four spades: five-plus-card support; 0-8 HCP

With four-plus-card support, after a one-heart opening and a two-of-a-minor overcall:

Three hearts: 4(5)-6 support points nonvulnerable (vulnerable)
One step below three hearts excluding a cue-bid: 7-9 or 13-15 support points
Two notrump: 10-12 or 16-plus support points [other meanings possible]
Three spades, four clubs or four diamonds: splinter; slam-try
Four hearts: five-plus-card support; 0-8 HCP

Note: In this context, two spades is a nonforcing free bid, not a raise.

After One Heart — (Two Spades)

Double: negative; may be three-card support with 10-12 or 19-plus support points
Two notrump: long clubs, or a natural three-notrump bid, or four-card support with 10-12 or 16-18 support points
Three clubs: either long diamonds or four-card support with 7-9, 13-15, or 19-plus support points
Three diamonds: three-card suport; 7-9 or 16-18 support points
Three hearts: four-plus-card support; 4(5)-6 support points nonvulnerable (vulnerable)
Three notrump: three-card support; 13-15 support points
Three spades, four clubs, or four diamonds: splinter; slam-try

After Any Natural Two-Level Suit Overcall

Double: negative; bidding a new suit later is forcing; after one heart — two spades may include three-card suppport (see above)
New suit below two notrump: natural; nonforcing
Two notrump: either a raise (exact meaning varying with the specific sequence, as described above) or one of these: (a) natural, game-forcing in notrump [responder's next action: three notrump]; (b) nonforcing free bid in clubs [responder's next action: pass unless forced]; (c) game-force with clubs [responder's next action: bid other than three notrump or support for opener's first suit]
Three clubs: as above, or nonforcing free bid in diamonds, or game-forcing with diamonds
Three diamonds: as above, or nonforcing free bid in hearts, or game-forcing with hearts

After any multiple-meaning response, opener temporarily assumes responder holds a nonforcing free bid and bids accordingly.

Follow-Ups to Multi-Way Actions

After responder's two notrump or three clubs when that can be a transfer, opener temporarily assumes that responder has a limited hand with long clubs or diamonds. Responder can continue with a simple bid in opener's major (four-plus-card support, weaker range), a jump in opener's major (four-plus-card support, higher range), or an even higher bid than a supporting jump with the unlimited range; bid a new suit (natural and forcing) or cue-bid to show a force with length only in the suit shown by the transfer); or bid three notrump (natural).

After An Opposing Major Michaels Cue-Bid

Double: three-card support; 7-9 support points
Two notrump: long clubs, or a natural three-notrump bid, or four-card support with 11-12 or 17-plus support points
Three clubs: either long diamonds or four-card support with 9-10 or 15-16 support points
Three diamonds: four-plus-card suport; 7-8 or 13-14 support points
Three of opener's major: four-plus-card support; 4-6 support points
Cheapest bid of the unbid major: three-card support; 10-12 or 16-plus support points
Three notrump: three-card support; 13-15 support points
Four of opener's major: four-plus-card support; preemptive.

After An Opposing Unusual Two Notrump

Three clubs: game-invitational-plus raise if partner opened one heart or game-invitational-plus in hearts if partner opened one spade
Three diamonds: game-invitational-plus raise if partner opened one spade or game-invitational-plus in spades if partner opened one heart
Three of opener's major: natural; not constructive
Three of the unbid major: natural; nonforcing

After A Minor-Suit Opening and Two-Level Interference

Double: negative; need not have length in all unbid suits
Two of a new suit: natural; nonforcing
Two notrump: natural; invitational
Three of opener's minor: invitational
Three of a new suit: forcing
Cue bid: game-force; stopper-asking
Jump to game: natural; nonforcing

After An Opposing Minor Michaels Cue-Bid

Two diamonds: nonforcing
Two of a major: invitational-plus raise with a stopper in the bid major only
Two notrump: invitational-plus with stoppers in both majors
Three of opener's minor: invitational raise with no major-suit stopper
Three of the unbid minor: natural; nonforcing
Three of a major: splinter raise
Three notrump: natural
Double followed by a bid in the unbid minor is game-forcing

ESOTERICA

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