The “sandwich seat” is fourth position between two bidding opponents. The most dangerous situation is when partner has passed and the opponents have bid two suits:
|
LHO |
Partner |
RHO |
You |
|
1C |
Pass |
1H |
? |
Don’t bid just because you have 13+ high-card points. Unless you have extra values, pass with hands that have balanced distribution and poor suits.
A one-level overcall (1C – Pass – 1H – 1S) may be made on minimum high-card values (10+ points), but should always be a good 5+-card suit.
A two-level overcall (1C – Pass – 1H – 2D) should be a good 6-card suit or a very strong 5-card suit.
A takeout double should almost always promise at least 4-4 in the unbid suits.
If you’re 4-3 in the unbid suits, you may consider a takeout double if you have a strong 14+ points and your 4-card suit is the other major -- a hand such as ♠KJ106 ♥54 ♦AQ7 ♣A1092.
If your holding in the unbid suits is 5-card minor and a 4-card major -- a hand such as ♠Q1076 ♥54 ♦AKJ87 ♣A2 -- make a takeout double instead of an overcall.
Vulnerability matters. Don’t stretch too far if you’re red.
Jump overcalls in this auction should be rare. The opponents have already exchanged information, so there’s little point in preempting unless you have a very strong suit.
1NT = Strong and natural (16-18 points) with stoppers in both bid suits. Use "system on" (Stayman, transfers, etc.) for partner's responses.
1NT by a passed hand = Light takeout (5-4 or longer in the unbid suits, around 6-10 high-card points).
Bid of RHO’s suit (Responder’s major; 2H in the auction above) = Natural (good 6+-cards, 11-16 points) -- a hand such as ♠KQ2 ♥AQJ875 ♦J107 ♣2
Bid of LHO’s suit (Opener’s minor; 2C in the auction above) = Two-suited takeout (5-5 in the unbid suits).
Jump to 2NT = Very distributional takeout (6-5 or longer in the unbid suits).
Double = 12-13+ points, usually 4-4 or longer in the unbid suits. You can double with fewer points if you’re 4-5 and have strong suits.
Jump cuebid of either opponent’s suit (3C or 3H in the auction above) = Asks partner to bid 3NT if he has a stopper in that suit.
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