NOTRUMP
OVERCALLS
SSS by Danny Kleinman
SAYC. A 1NT overcall shows a balanced 15-18, preferably with a stopper in opener's suit. A 2C advance is Stayman, and all other
advances are natural. SSS. A 1NT overcall shows a 1NT opening, always with at least one stopper (preferably two) in opener's suit. A cue bid of opener's suit asks for an unbid 4-card major and is forcing to 2NT (game if advancer
then bids three of a new suit). Any other 2-level advance is a signoff, and a jump to three of a new suit is game-invitational. SAYC. A 2NT (jump) overcall is an "Unusual Notrump" showing at least 5-5 in the two lower
unbid suits. Advancer may bid one of those suits (or jump preemptively in it), cue-bid opener's suit to force and try for game SSS. Next
to Blackwood, the "Unusual Notrump" is the most abused convention in the history of bridge. Over major-suit openings it is usually worse than futile (even when used properly), for you can't fight majors with minors and
its usual effect is to help opener make the high-level contract into which you push the opponents. Over minor-suit openings, it can be used effectively in theory (you can fight a minor with hearts and the other minor), but I know
nobody who uses it effectively in practice. So skip the "Unusual Notrump" altogether unless you and your partner have mastered my lesson on it ("Unusual Unusual Notrumps"). Jump to 2NT when you think you can
make 2NT, usually because you have a solid minor and stoppers (you'll have very few 22-HCP hands when somebody else opens with a one-bid).
or slam, bid the highest unbid suit (non-forcing), bids 3NT to play or 4NT as Blackwood.
HAND VALUATION
SSS by Danny Kleinman