After the opponents open 1 No Trump, the Hamilton convention is a defensive bid either in the direct seat or in the balancing seat. It resembles Cappelletti and Bergen in some ways, but has different meanings to the individual bids. Let us explore those meanings.
| Overcaller | Responder | |
2  is a forcing bid showing a One-Suiter.Partner must bid 2  . |
The most important thing to remember is the fact that the bidding so far says nothing about these 2 suits. |
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| After the forced 2 response from his partner, the overcaller names his suit. If it is Diamonds, he may pass. |
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| Other Overcalls show Two-Suited Hands: | Meanings | |
| 2 : |
Spades and Hearts | |
2  : |
Hearts and unspecified Minor Suit. If responder wants to find out which Minor, responder bids 2 No Trump. |
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2  : |
Spades and unspecified Minor Suit If responder wants to find out which Minor, responder bids 2 No Trump. |
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| 2 No Trump: | Both Minor Suits. | |
| Double: | Primarily for Penalty, partner can pass. |
Each convention used in entering the auction, after one opponent has described his hand exactly, should be studied and applied correctly. In most cases, the opponents will not reach game. Game is possible, however, since the location of the strength by the opponents is a known factor. Reaching the correct contract is the target of the overcaller and his partner, and these different conventions can be useful tools.
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.