The origin of this conventional defense method is accredited to Mr. Robert R. Hudson of Dunedin, New Zealand. He is a former President of the New Zealand Contract Bridge Association and a former Associate Editor of the bridge-related magazine New Zealand Bridge.
Note: Any contribution of a photograph suitable for web presentation of Mr. Robert R. Hudson would be greatly appreciated.
Definition of the Concept
Fundamentally the concept is a defense method devised to be employed after the opposing side opens the auction with either 1) a natural bid, or 2) an artificial bid on the one level.
Mr. Robert R. Hudson devised the 1 No Trump overcall as having the meaning of a strong takeout double requiring a holding containing at least 16 high card points. Distributional points are not counted. The concept is purely a defense strategy, a defense mechanism, a defense method.
The concept is presented with the responses by the advancer. Any continuances following competition by the partner of the opening player becomes a partnership agreement.
The following illustration with auction and holding should clarify this concept. The explanations are only based on the opening bid of 1
. The explanations of the bids of the advancer change if the opening bid by the opponent is in another suit on the one level.
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South |
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Meaning |
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A Leghorn Diamond opening bid showing either a balanced holding with 19 plus high card points, or and unbalanced holding which is only one winning trick short of a game contract. |
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1 NT |
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Hudson 1 NT overcall promising at least 16 plus high card points. As with all takeout doubles, the doubler should have shortage in the suit bid. |
Note: The examples shown above do not match or correspond to any example shown below. They are only for demonstration and clarifying purposes.
Continuations following a Hudson Overcall
Since any and all bids by the advancer depend on the suit bid by the opposing side, the response will be different accordingly. Other new suits are grouped in order that this principle can be applied by the partnership in the same manner.
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Advancer |
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Meaning |
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| Pass |
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2  |
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The next possible higher-ranking bid by the advancer shows a holding with 0-4 points. With this bid the advancer does not show shape, distribution, or any stopper in the bid suit of the opponent. It must be remembered that if the opening bid were 1 Club, then the advancer would bid 2 Diamond. |
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| Pass |
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2 NT |
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Shows 5-8 high card points and a stopper in the suit bid by the opponent. |
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| Pass |
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New Suit |
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Promises 5-8 high card points and at least a 5-card suit in the suit bid. Note: this bid by the advancer will necessarily be on the two level. The student must be aware of the distinction between a new suit and a jump shift bid. For example: 1 - 1NT - Pass - 2 shows a new suit, whereas 1 - 1NT - Pass - 3 constitutes a jump shift. |
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Jump Shift * |
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Promises a minimum of 9 high card points and at least a 5-card suit in the suit bid. *Note: the jump shift principle of responding is not over the 1 No Trump bid by partner, but rather the suit bid by the opponent. |
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| Pass |
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Cuebid |
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Shows a minimum of 7 high card points, no stopper in the suit of the suit bid by the opponent, and no 5-card suit. |
Although the Hudson overcalls are logically established and the responses are narrowly defined, the frequency of a player in rotation holding a 16 plus high card points after an opening bid by an opponent is rather low and can therefore be seldom employed.
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.