Comparable Calls
Had two come up the last few days.
RHO dealer. In haste bid 1N 15-17. Call not accepted and cancelled and RHO opens 3C. Is 3N comparable?
LHO dealer. All NV. You open 1s not accepted and cancelled. You open 1d - p - 1h and 4th seat (who made the original bid out of turn) overcalls 1s. Comparable to the original 1s OOT opening?
Comments
Hmm. First one 3NT is potentially quite a bit stronger than 14-17, maybe not some 15 counts, I guess with 3C you can always double then bid NT with big hands. Pretty strong tendency to be 16-18 so might be considered similar. Worth noting on this sequence that they're allowed to bid it anyway, it'd just end the auction (probably).
On the second one overcalls are usually not considered comparable because they can be quite a bit weaker than opening bids, and this position NV at the one level doesn't seem like an exception.
I agree with James. On the second one, if you swap the vulnerability, I think 1S would be getting closer to being a Comparable Call and I wouldn't hang a TD for ruling so.
Barrie Partridge - CTD for Bridge Club Live
I would need evidence that they play particularly sound one-level overcalls before considering one to be comparable to an opening bid. Two-level overcalls are close enough for most people.
The first case, is definitely not comparable as the 3NT overcall could be based partly on a very long minor suit - and could include such things as a singleton Ace (there might even be a void expecting a lead of pre-emptor's suit!). There is also, of course, the wider range - you could hold anything up to 20 points or so. NT bids specifying a range and balanced hand are notoriously difficult to correct with a comparable call.
Would need comfirmation as to implied strength of a 1 spade overcall in the sandwich position but if, for instance, holding something like 5 spades to the KQJ and not much more (lead directing) is permissable by agreement then obviously not comparable. (Overcalling at the one level doesn't need much more than 13 cards for many partnerships). Playing 4 card majors I Might allow a double if it shows sufficient values (again doubles aren't often comparable calls) and guarantees 4 spades (the doubler does not need to hold the other suit - it is what the call shows, not what is in the hand). (doubles tend to show stronger hands in this type of auction in case partner passes for penalties, but again that is a matter for partnership agreement.)