After the Overcall

Here is your hand:

♠AQ4
♥K5
♦KT763
♣Q53

Playing matchpoints and no one if vulnerable. You open the bidding 1♦. Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) bids 1♠. Partner bids 2♣. Your RHO bids 2♠. It is your bid.

Question 1: What is Partner showing?

Question 2: Are you forced to bid?

Question 3: If yes, what is your bid? If no, will you bid and what will you bid if you are going to bid?

Show Answer

Answer 1: Partner is showing at least 10 HCP and a ♣ suit. This is a forcing bid.

Answer 2: Initially you ARE forced to bid. BUT your RHO bid. You are no longer forced to bid because Partner has another call over the 2♠ bid.

Answer 3: Even though you do not have to bid, bidding 2NT to show a minimum hand with a ♠ stopper will REALLY help Partner out. Now they can easily bid 3NT. If you "Pass" they might not know what to bid.