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Cappelletti
We were asked,
what does 'capps vs 1nt' mean?
Capps is short
for Cappelletti and is a very popular defence to a 1NT opening, particularly
in the USA. The scheme over an opposing 1NT is as follows:
2
shows any single-suiter
2 shows
both majors
2 shows
hearts and a minor
2 shows
spades and a minor 2NT shows both minors
These overcalls
are all based on hands of competitive strength, in other words, much the
same strength as you would need for a natural overcall.
Responses to
2
The most common
response to 2
is 2,
which asks the overcaller to bid his suit or, if it is diamonds, to pass.
However, there are a number of hand types with which responder will not
choose 2.
If responder has something around opening values with at least some support
for every suit, he will bid 2NT, again asking for partner's suit but showing
game interest. If he has a decent five-card or longer major of his own
he may bid it at the two level, non-forcing but overcaller is allowed
to bid on if he so wishes. And if responder has six or more clubs and
no interest in game he may simply pass the 2
overcall.
If 2
gets doubled, all bids are essentially natural, based on responder's own
long suit, pass asks the overcaller to either pass if he has clubs or
bid his suit if not, and redouble shows 7+HCP and a willingness to compete
in whichever suit the overcaller holds.
Responses to
2
The
2 overcall
promised both majors. With an ordinary hand, responder bids his preferred
major at the two level. With six or more diamonds he could choose to pass
2, while
with long clubs he could bid 3,
to play. A jump to 3/
is pre-emptive, while 2NT is an artificial enquiry. Initially, the 2NT
bid asks the overcaller for his better minor. Responder may have a minor
two-suiter and wish to play in this suit, or he may have a constructive
hand with support for one of the majors. 2NT followed by 3/
is natural and invitational.
If 2
gets doubled, pass would suggest playing in 2
doubled, while redouble would ask partner to bid his longer major. Other
calls would be unchanged.
Responses to
2/
The same principle
of a two-way 2NT bid is used opposite a 2/
overcall. Responder can pass the overcall if happy to play in the suit,
and can raise to three-of-the-suit as a basically pre-emptive manoeuvre.
If responder wishes to play in partner's minor suit he bids 2NT, asking
for the better minor, and passes the response. But he can also respond
2NT then go on with 3/
to invite game in the major.
Responses to a
2NT overcall are basically natural, with 3/
merely expressing preference between partner's suits.
Before playing
Cappelletti with a stranger, it is worth checking that they play the responses
of 3/
as described above. Some may play these bids as invitational rather than
pre-emptive.
It is also possible
to play Cappelletti after partner has opened 1/
and Right-Hand-Opponent has overcalled 1NT. The bids retain the same meanings
as normal. This is a particularly attractive idea where 1/
may be three cards only and opener often has a balanced hand outside the
agreed no trump range.
If you have a question for Brian, please
contact anna@msoworld.com
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