Overcalling 1NT: An Overview
BROZEL:
Dble = 1 suiter (partner takes out to 2C).
2C = Clubs and Hearts.
2D = Diamonds and Hearts.
2H = Hearts and Spades.
2S = Spades and an unspecified minor.
2NT = The minors.
CAPP:
Dble = Penalty (of dubious value vs a strong 1NT).
2C = Any 1-suiter (Advancer bids 2D to ask).
2D = The majors.
2H = Hearts and a minor.
2S = Spades and a minor.
2NT = The minors.
DONT:
Dble = Any 1-suiter (partner takes out to 2C).
2C = Clubs and any higher ranked suit.
2D = Diamonds and any higher ranked suit.
2H = The majors.
2S = Spades ONLY, weak (else 2C, then 2S).
Comparative Analysis of BROZEL
Brozel is an old but excellent way to compete over
a STRONG 1NT opening. Yes, people use it against a WEAK
1NT opening too, but it is less effective there.
1NT:Dble - The double handles ANY and all 1-suiters.
Partner ("Advancer") can bid 2C to ask for which
suit Doubler has, allowing Doubler to PASS if hir
suit is Clubs.
In this regard, BROZEL works exactly as DONT does.
CAPP, which uses 2C for all 1-suiters, is inferior
in that Advancer must bid 2D to ask for the suit
and, if Doubler's suit is Clubs, the pair is
forced to 3C (dangerous over a strong 1NT).
1NT:2C - This shows Clubs and Hearts. Note that
Overcaller is bidding one of the suits s/he owns,
which makes it tough for Responder to double you.
Also note that Advancer does NOT have to guess
which suits you have and can pass Clubs at the
2 level.
Again, this is superior to CAPP, which bids 2H
with this hand, showing Hearts and an UNSPECIFIED
minor. CAPP Advancer must bid 2NT to ask for the
minor and will NOT be able to stop in 2C.
It is SLIGHTLY superior to DONT, which uses 2C
to show Clubs and ANY 2nd suit. DONT Advancer
might go "fishing" for the 2nd suit with 2D,
only to be disappointed and want to retreat to 3C.
1NT:2D - This shows Diamonds and Hearts. Again, it
has the advantage of bidding a suit that you do
have, and allows partner to pass at the 2-level.
Again, this is vastly superior to CAPP and
slightly better to DONT.
1NT:2H - This shows Hearts and Spades. It has the
advantage of bidding one of your suits, but this
may become a DISADVANTAGE against a weak 1NT if
you have a VERY GOOD HAND and may be able to
make 4H; partner is liable to PASS 2H. :(
In CAPP, 2D shows both majors, guaranteeing that
Overcaller can rebid (an important consideration
over a WEAK 1NT, when we may have game!). This
is dangerous over a strong 1NT, since it gives
Responder a "free" double of 2D on virtually
ANY 8 HCPs, possibly landing us in trouble. That
Responder might NOT be able to double 2H
unilaterally--especially if Responder has very
few Hearts.
1NT:2S - This shows Spades and an unspecified minor.
Note: this is the only 2-level suit overcall
that does NOT show Hearts!
This treatment is identical to CAPP's, but may
be slightly inferior to DONT in that the pair
cannot stop in TWO of the minor.
1NT:2NT - This shows the MINORS. This is consistent
with MOST overcalling systems OTHER THAN DONT,
which CAN stop in 2-of-a-either minor by
overcalling 2C (Clubs and a minor).
Conclusion
All in all, BROZEL is a very effective choice
over a strong 1NT. It is a marginal choice over
a weak 1NT opening. Of the universally RECOGNIZED
choices (e.g. CAPP, DONT, BROZEL, ASTRO, etc.) it
is arguably the BEST choice available due to it
speed of disclosure, natural approach and relative
simplicity. Indeed, only the GENEVA Convention
("McGuinty") beats it, and Geneva is unknown outside
of central Canada. :(
