DONT (Disturbing Opponents’ No Trump) is a conventional defense to a 1NT opening. Philosophically, it aims to interfere with an opposing 1NT as frequently as possible. How? Unlike other popular 1NT defenses, DONT lets you show all one- and two-suited hands at the two-level. More on this in „The Benefits” section below.
The Overcalls
Double shows a single suited hand. Any two-level overcall promises that suit plus a higher one (at least 5-4). Lastly, 2
simply shows spades.
| Overcall | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Double | Any one suit (normally 6+ cards), relay to 2 . |
| 2 | Clubs and a higher suit (at least 5-4 or 4-5). |
2 | Diamonds and a higher suit (at least 5-4 or 4-5). |
2 | Hearts and spades (at least 5-4 or 4-5). |
2 | Spades (normally 6+ cards), weaker than a double followed by a 2 rebid. |
DONT can be used with light shapely hands. 8 points might qualify for a direct overcall at favorable vulnerability. The requirements may be even less when balancing.
Responses:
After a Double
After a double, advancer is expected to bid 2, which is a pass-or-correct relay. Advancer may, however, skip 2 to bid a strong 6-card suit of his own.
| Response | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 2 | Asks partner to pass or correct. |
| 2 | 6+ diamonds, non-forcing. |
| 2 | 6+ hearts, non-forcing. |
| 2 | 6+ spades, non-forcing. |
After a 2
Overcall
In response to 2, advancer typically passes with support for clubs, or bids 2
to ask for overcaller’s second suit.
| Response | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pass | To play. |
| 2 | Denies club support. Asks overcaller to pass or correct. |
| 2 | 6+ hearts, non-forcing. |
| 2 | 6+ spades, non-forcing. |
| 2NT | Artificial and forcing. Overcaller’s rebids:3 with a minimum3 with diamonds and a maximum3 with hearts and a maximum3 with spades and a maximum |
| 3 | Preemptive raise, non-forcing. |
After a 2 Overcall
Advancer typically passes with diamond support, or bids 2 looking for overcaller’s major.
| Response | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pass | To play. |
| 2 | Denies diamond support. Asks overcaller to pass or correct to spades. |
| 2 | 6+ spades, non-forcing. |
| 2NT | Artificial and forcing. Overcaller’s rebids:3 with an equal-length or shorter major and a minimum3 with a longer major and a minimum3 with hearts and a maximum3 with spades and a maximum |
| 3 | 6+ good clubs, non-forcing. Rare since advancer is ignoring overcaller and introducing his own suit at the three-level. |
After a 2 Overcall
Advancer normally passes or corrects to 2.
| Response | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pass | To play. |
| 2 | To play. (Denies heart support.) |
| 2NT | Artificial and forcing. Overcaller’s rebids:3 with equal-length or shorter spades and a minimum3 with longer spades and a minimum3 with equal-length or shorter spades and a maximum3 with longer spades and a maximum |
| 3 | 6+ good clubs, non-forcing. |
| 3 | 6+ good diamonds, non-forcing. |
After a 2 Overcall
Advancer usually passes. He should only bid a new suit with 6+ good cards and no spade support.
| Response | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pass | To play. |
| 3 | 6+ good cards, non-forcing. |
| 3 | 6+ good cards, non-forcing. |
| 3 | 6+ good cards, non-forcing. |
| 3 | Natural, non-forcing. |