GARDENER NO TRUMP OVERCALL

Devised by Mr. Nico Gardener, , born in Latvia but resided in London. As a defense mechanism, a 1 No Trump overcall can be very effective. It is definitely obstructive. However, the Gardener No Trump overcall has two interpretations:

1. The No Trump overcall can signify a strong, natural No Trump opening with 16 to 18 high card points.

2. The No Trump overcall can also signify a weak holding with a long suit.

If the overcall is always weak, the French refer to it as the Sans Atout Comique.

The following illustrations should clarify the difference:

North		East
1		1 NT		Gardener No Trump Overcall
1		1 NT		Gardener No Trump Overcall
1		1 NT		Gardener No Trump Overcall
1		1 NT		Gardener No Trump Overcall

North		East		South		West
1 ///		1 NT		Pass		2
Pass		2 NT						Strong, balanced 16-18 high card points.
		Pass						Clubs is the long suit; not a cuebid.
		2						Diamonds is the long suit; not a cuebid of opener's suit.
		2						Hearts is the long suit; not a cuebid of opener's suit.
		2						Spades is the long suit; not a cuebid of opener's suit.

If the response of South does not interfere with the 2 Clubs response of West, then West responds as if there had been no response from South. If South doubles, then this call also does not interfere with the bid of 2 Clubs by West. If any bid by South interferes with the 2 Clubs bid by West, then West is allowed to pass, awaiting further description by East of his/her holding.

 

 

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.

 

 

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