Andrew:

How many points do I need to overcall?

Whilst suit quality is the most important factor in deciding whether or not to overcall, strength of the overall hand cannot be ignored. The high-card requirements should be approximately as follows:

One-Level overcall: 6-18 points.
Two-Level overcall: 8-18 points.

In addition do not overlook the importance of:

(a) Vulnerability. Be keener to overcall when non-vulnerable, because (doubled) undertricks are cheaper.

(b) Shape. Hands with singletons and/or side four-card suits are much more powerful than the sterile 5332.

Exercise: Which of these are worth a vulnerable 1 ♠ overcall over a 1 ♦ opener?

Hand a)	Hand b)	Hand c)	Hand d)
♠ K9865 ♥ QJ ♦ J842 ♣ Q10	♠ KQJ102 ♥ 87 ♦ Q1096 ♣ 97	♠ A9874 ♥ J7 ♦ Q52 ♣ J84	♠ AJ1093 ♥ J ♦ Q105 ♣ J1074
No	Yes	No	Yes

Remember: think TRICKS not POINTS when deciding whether to overcall. The second hand above rates to take at least four tricks in a spade contract even if facing nothing; the first and third could end up with just one.

If South had kept quiet on our featured deal with the fourth hand above, West would have dredged up a 1 ♥ response and East-West would sail into the making 4 ♥ (losing just two spades and the ace of clubs). South’s 1 ♠ overcall prevented the 1 ♥ bid, and East-West’s heart fit was lost.

Take East's cards.

East Deals
Both Vul

♠	K Q 5 2
♥	10 8
♦	9 7 6
♣	A 9 3 2

♠	8 7
♥	K 9 6 5 3 2
♦	J 3
♣	Q 6 5

N
W		E
S

♠	6 4
♥	A Q 7 4
♦	A K 8 4 2
♣	K 8

♠	A J 10 9 3
♥	J
♦	Q 10 5
♣	J 10 7 4

West	North	East	South
		1 ♦	1 ♠1
Pass2	3 ♠3	Pass	Pass
Pass

The suit quality and shape are good. Plus South wants to prevent West from responding hearts at the One-level.
West is stymied - UNLESS she is playing Negative Doubles, in which case she can double to show hearts.
North is probably worth a 2 ♦ Unassuming Cue Bid (more later) to show a good spade raise (normally ten+ points but the fourth spade and the ♠ KQ warrant the upgrade.

3 ♠ by South

Lead: ♦ J

Against 3 ♠, West led the jack of diamonds (top of two). East won the king and South dropped a deceptive queen. Falling for the bait, East switched to a trump (West thus never scoring his diamond ruff). Declarer drew trumps, then ran the jack of clubs to East’s king. East cashed the ace of hearts and led a second heart, but declarer ruffed and ran the ten of clubs. A third club to dummy’s ace felled West’s queen, and a diamond was later conceded to East’s ace. Nine tricks made.

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Andrew:

How many points do I need to overcall?