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Welcome to "Bridge Basics," the podcast that makes learning bridge easy and fun. Each episode breaks down strategies, game dynamics, and teaching tips for beginners. Whether you're new to card games or looking to improve your skills, you'll find valuable insights to enhance your bridge experience.
The Cappelletti convention is a defensive bidding system in bridge. It's used specifically after an opponent opens with one no trump. This convention helps the intervening side to show various one- and two-suited hands. The goal is to disrupt the opponents' notrump auction and find a fit for your own side.
You can use Cappelletti overcalls in two situations. First, when you're in the second seat, or second, when you're in the balancing seat, which is the fourth seat. The main purpose is to reveal specific hand shapes and compete for the contract, or at least interfere with the opponents' communication.
Here are the standard Cappelletti overcalls. If you double, it indicates a penalty with about 15 or more high card points. If you bid two clubs, you show any single-suited hand, usually with six or more cards in that suit. Your partner will then respond with a two diamond bid, asking you to clarify your suit.
If you bid two diamonds, you’re showing both majors, meaning at least five cards in hearts and spades, in any combination of 5-4 or 4-5. A bid of two hearts indicates you have hearts and a minor suit, with at least five cards in both. Similarly, a two spades bid shows spades and a minor, also with at least five cards in each suit. Finally, if you bid two no trump, you’re showing both minors, with at least five cards in clubs and diamonds.
Your partner, known as the advancer, has specific responses based on your overcall. After a two clubs bid, they’ll bid two diamonds as a relay, asking you to show your actual suit. After a two diamonds bid, they’ll choose their preferred major. With a two hearts or two spades bid, they usually pass or correct to the minor if they have support. For a two no trump bid, they’ll choose their preferred minor or pass if they have a long minor.
When considering hand requirements, one-suited hands typically have six or more cards in the suit and 11 to 14 high card points. Two-suited hands usually have at least a 5-5 distribution, sometimes even 5-4 if the suits are strong. It’s also important to consider vulnerability and suit quality before deciding to intervene.
The strategic value of the Cappelletti convention lies in its ability to disrupt your opponents' one no trump auctions. It also helps your side find a good fit or a solid sacrifice. Plus, it retains the penalty double for stronger hands, which adds to its effectiveness.
This convention is sometimes referred to as Hamilton or Pottage, depending on regional or partnership preferences. Its flexibility and capacity to show a range of competitive hands make it quite popular in the world of bridge.
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