BETA Defence

To: 1 of ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠

When opened without alert in

1st | 2nd | 3rd position

Beta 2-suited overcalls

These are specified as holding 2 5+ card suits. 5-5 is the minimum distribution. Other distributions handled are: 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 5-7 & 5-8!
Traditionally BETA splits the openings into Strong: <=(5) LTC or Weak: (5)|5.5 to 7 LTC. These are discussed separately below:
Use judgement with 5LTC - ones on the better side treat as strong, others be cautious and treat as weak.

Stronger 2-suited <=(5) LTC

These are shown by our alertable 3♣!, 3♦! and 1N! overcalls as follows:

A:    1♣-3♣ or 1♦-3♦ (jump cue-bids in minors) show both Major suits: Ex: 1♦-3♦ shows: 5+ Hearts & 5+ Spades strong
B:    1♦|♥|♠-3♣ Shows Clubs & the highest unbid Major: Ex. 1♥-3♣ shows 5+ Clubs & 5+ Spades strong
C:    1♣|♥|♠-3♦ Shows Diamonds & the highest unbid Major: Ex. 1♠-3♦ shows 5+ Diamonds & 5+ Hearts strong
D:    1any(opp)-1N!-2♣! inquiry-2♥! rebid shows the lowest 2 unbid suits strong:
Ex: 1♦(opp)-1N!-2♣!(part)-2♥! shows Clubs + Hearts.
Or If opps open 1♥|♠; then a 2♥ rebid shows both minors strong.
If opps open 1♣; then a 2♥ rebid shows ♦-♥ Strong
Partner can now show preference at the 3-level or 3N to request distribution.

For details of subsequent bidding sequences see 2-suited.where it joins 2-Suited opening bids on the same basis.

Weaker 2-suited hands: o'calls range of (5)|5.5-7 LTC.

A simple cue bid shows the highest 2 unbid suits: Ex. 1♥-2♥ Shows Diamonds & Spades
A 2NT o'call shows the highest & lowest unbid suits: Ex. 1♣-2N Shows Diamonds & Spades
1NT o'call and a 3♣ rebid shows the lowest 2 unbid suits: Ex: 1♦-1NT-2♣(Part)-3♣ Shows Clubs & Hearts
Again for details of subsequent bidding sequences see 2-suited.where it joins 2-Suited opening bids on the same basis.

Pre-emptive O'Calls

Single-suited pre-emptive overcalls

Weak single & double jump o'calls in ♥'s or ♠s. MAJORS ONLY Ex.: 1♥-2|3♠ are pre-emptive. Note: Minor jump overcalls to the 3-level are NOT available in BETA (used to show strong 2-suited hands instead). Classical 3mi pre-emptive overcalls cause minimal problems for opponents - can even be helpful in their subsequent play! Instead consider direct bidding of 4mi or 5mi level pre-empts with 7+ card minors!
Also 1♣ - 2♦ is a weak 2 jump overcall.
However a weak minor pre-empt can also be declared by first overcalling bid 1N and then rebidding 2♠ after the mandatory 2C response. Now partner relays with 2N and then your 6|7 card suit can be declared. Ex 1♥(Op)-1N-2♣(P)-2♠-2N(P)-3mi. Indeed any UNBID suit may be shown at any level in this sequence!
Reminder: A direct 1♥-3♣ shows a strong 2-suited hand 5-5 or better in ♣-♠. See above.
Such minor pre-empts do little harm to your opponents. So the sequence left available is a little bit torturous - but efficient - at annoying opponents! Its not our duty to be overkind to them!
Remember too: your option remains to pre-empt directly at the 4+ level in any unbid suit: 1any-4mi. Even 1♣!(opp)-4♣. In a Major its also a pre-emptive GAME bid based largely on length & distributional values -

Other 1NT Overcall sequences for certain type of hands.

2-suited hands 5-5 or better in the two lowest unbid suits whether weak or strong. Overcall 1N and rebid 3♣ if WEAK >5 LTC or 2H STRONG <=5LTC. Note: This is the most likely use of the 1NT o'call.
Strong 3-suited hands, 4441 or 5440, 16+ HCP with shortage in opponents opening bid the other 3 suits - use the 1NT o'call & then rebid 2N. Partner may show 4+ card support for any suit. A rare case indeed.
Any balanced hand of 23+ HCP (which would normaly be opened with 2♣) is now shown with our Multi 1NT & a 2♦ rebid. This will be very rare but not impossible! A case that may not have 4 cards in clubs!
Certain strong 6+ -4's distributions can also be expressed with a 1NT o'call & shown simply by a 3 level rebid in the 6 card suit and the 4 card suit MUST be the anchor suit - the lowest unbid minor
A 7+ card minor pre-empt 9+HCP still required. O'call 1NT and rebid 2♠. Responder bids 2N and then rebid 3mi or 4mi. These are not all-out pre-empts there is no advantge in this. Direct o'calls at the 4 level should be used for all-in pre-empts to rob opponents of their bidding space OR even a direct 3N with a solid minor (same as an opening gambling 3N also available in BETA). Alternatively prefer a direct bid of 4mi.

PASS

Also don't forget to PASS, its a good bid!
(i) when one has nothing posititve to say! OR
(ii) simply cannot say when holding length in the opponents opening bid suit - in this case you need patience and a good partner! - one who will be prepared to re-open the bidding with a protective double!

A Take-Out Double (T-O *)

"The most economic and most frequently used forward moving bid when opponents have opened the bidding."
Any hand with 16+ HCP - a mandatory double - not to be used with 5-5 hands.
Ideally with minimum support in all 3 unbid suits with 12+HCP. However any unbid Major must have at least minimum support of 3+ cards and a minor may be just 2 cards

For details on responses and subsequent bidding see our T-O Double page.

Simple suit overcalls with 4+ card Major or 5+ card minor suit

A suit overcall at the 1 level can be made with a decent 4+ card major. Requirements for this are (7)8-14 HCP . 1 quick trick is also a fair requirement.
A simple overcall at the 2-level always requires a decent 5 card suit, 1 1/2 quick tricks & 9+HCP.

Occasionally when 5-4 we are forced to overcall in the 4 card major suit rather than in the 5 card minor suit as we lack 9 HCP - this may lead to a 'canape' type sequences. Similar to our initial emphasis on Majors temporarily leave aside a quality 5+ card minor and initially show the Major first.

In general Beta's philosophy is Majors first , then the minors while keeping a close eye on suitability for a NT contract. This mantra pervades BETA.Whether leading the bidding or in contesting the auction.

Other competitive bids available:

Weak jump overcalls in a 6 card Major or Diamonds
With a 6 card major we make a 2-level overcall following vulnerability as follows:- Non-vul: 8-13DP
Over a 1C opening a weak 2 in Diamonds may also be made as for Majors.

Long minor
When Partner opens with 1Ma for example, his partner may make a bid of 2mi with a 5+ card minor and more than (9)10HCP. However in BETA responder has another option: He can Bid 2 of a minor on a 6+ card suit with <9HCP! and some distributional values. However in this case responder has an obligation to correct his partner's understanding with his rebid...by rebidding the minor to show weakness at his first rebid opportunity (unless partner PASSed or opponents are bidding on). This style of overcalling may also be used over an opponents opening bid too. Again the correction must be made at the first rebid - unless the opponents have 'sailed on' of course!
E.g. Opponent opens: 1D|H|S you overcall 2C|D - opener rebids 2any - you must rebid 3C|D with a weak hand of 6+ cards and <=9 HCP. This show a weak 6 card suit AND partner will usually PASS. Note: rebidding in the other minor shows full solid opening strength and 5-4or 6-4.
This indirect sequence first bidding 2mi then rebidding 3mi is BETA equivalent of a 3minor pre-empt and compenstates for not having a direct 3C pre-emptive o'call in BETA (that shows a strong 3 suited hand). At least this has removed 1 level responses from the opponents armoury!

Reciprocally Partner should also exercise caution when partner bids at the 2 level in a minor and not jump too quickly to game.....Remember in BETA a change of suit is Forcing. So any opener may depend on partner rebidding! and there is NO need of a jump - a jump wastes bidding space - BETA has removed 'reverses' in so doing has amongst other structural changes has enforced the rule 'a change of suit is FORCING'. So jumps by partner in BETA are weak or 2suited or other strong specialised bids suchas BARON, SWISS TRSTCOTT(over intervention).

Overcalling 4NT
This shows both minors but too weak in LTC terms for other routes - partner to choose a minor unless opponents soldier on.

Pre-emptive bids
These have the same aim. These can be made with double jumps at the 4-level in a minor or at the 3or 4 level in a major. These bids command a long suit (7)8+ cards and strength unfit for solid opening bids.
These double Jumps overcalls to the 3 or 4 or 5 levels are single suited hands with long suits - just designed to rob opponents of significant bidding space.

3-suited hands
BETA makes little facility for these rather rare hands! However if you possess the other 3 suits our 'multi' 1NT provides this capability with a 1N overcall and a 2N rebid. - but this may only be used for strong hands of 16+ HCP and 4441 and 5440 distributions. Partner is then expected to show preference at the 3-level or higher with a 4 card fit..

With a long minor in BETA we cannot make a 3-level jump overcall (these bids are reserved for strong 2-suited hands <5LTC), however we may use our MULTI 1NT o'call and rebid 2S [partner bids 2N automatically and responder bids 3mi to show a minor pre-empt of 7 cards.
Alternatively a direct pre-empt at the 4-level in a minor is often the better option.

Opponents opened 1 of a suit in 3rd position

Like us a 3rd hand opening may not be a sound opening as required in 1st or 2nd position.
For example 1Ma, especially spades may be made on just 4 cards and/or opening values may also be lowered. E.g 9HCP.

5-5 Hands should be declared with our usual definitions
Our 1N o'call also as usual
In response be ready to o'call with any decent 4 card Major suit at the 1 level with 7+HCP or 2 level with a 5 card suit and just 9+ HCP.
A T-O * should remain with the values expressed above. but may also be made with good values and length in the opponents suit.
Weak 2's as usual too with 6 cards.