ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 4
CHAPTER 1 HAND EVALUATION ................................................... 6
The Variables ........................................................................................... 7
The LW Function ................................................................................... 11
CHAPTER 2 TAKEOUT DOUBLES ................................................. 29
Supporting opener .................................................................................. 30
Finding a fit ............................................................................................ 36
Cappelletti Transfers .............................................................................. 43
CHAPTER 3 NATURAL OVERCALLS ............................................ 53
Defending with cuebids ......................................................................... 53
Defining the cuebid ................................................................................ 54
After a jump overcall ............................................................................. 56
Negative doubles .................................................................................... 60
Opener's rebids ...................................................................................... 67
CHAPTER 4 TWO-SUITED OVERCALLS ...................................... 73
Cuebids................................................................................................... 74
Supporting bids ...................................................................................... 76
With no support ...................................................................................... 78
Michaels ................................................................................................. 83
Minor suits ............................................................................................. 83
Major suits.............................................................................................. 85
With no support ...................................................................................... 87
Special overcalls .................................................................................... 95
CHAPTER 5 AFTER A PREEMPT .................................................. 100
Responding to a takeout double ........................................................... 102
The rules ............................................................................................... 103
Detailed responses................................................................................ 109
The doubler after Lebensohl ................................................................ 115
In the balancing position ...................................................................... 121
After a second-seat preempt ................................................................. 130