There Are No Good Choices. When your opponent opens 1 NT, assuming it is in the 15-18 point range, he shows a powerful hand. If you have scattered high cards without long suits, pass and let the opponent play. Your cards are behind declarer so he must play before you do -- an excellent defensive position.
Generally, if you have a hand which can compete for the contract, it is based on a 6+ card suit or two suits of 5 cards each.
Overcalling 1 NT With One Long Suit
Basic Competition. Until you are ready to play some special convention such as Brozel for competing with a 1 NT opener, bid only if you have a decent long suit - 6+ cards. Balancing Competition. If you are in the fourth or pass-out seat, Double with a scattered 10 HCP and let partner leave in the double or bail out to a suit of his own. It is especially important to compete vigorously against weak Notrump openers who may have only 10 HCP.Examples of a one suited overcall of 1 NT by opponent:
N E
1NT ???
East's Hands
ª KQTxxx
ª KQTxx
ª KQTxx
© Ax
© Axx
© Ax
¨ Kxxx
¨ Kxx
¨ KQxxx
§ x
§ xx
§ x
2 Spades
Pass
Pass (?)
Overcalling 1 NT With Two Suits
With two suits of five cards each, there are a number of conventions available.We use the Unusual No Trump for some two-suited hands - see Conventions. It's most often used for the minors over a major suit opener, but can be used with 2 five card minors over 1 NT.
Our system uses the Brozel Convention in the direct overcall position but not in the balancing position. It is based on competing with one long solid suit or two five card suits.