overcall

American  

[oh-ver-kawl, oh-ver-kawl, oh-ver-kawl] / ˌoʊ vərˈkɔl, ˈoʊ vərˌkɔl, ˈoʊ vərˌkɔl /

verb (used with or without object)

1. Cards. to make an overcall.

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noun

1. Cards. a bid higher than the previous bid.

2. Bridge. a bid on a higher level than, or in a higher ranking suit than, the previous bid of an opponent that was not followed by a bid or double by one's partner.

3. Theater. a clause in an investor's agreement whereby the backer agrees to supply an additional amount of money, often 10 to 20 percent of the original amount, should it be required by the producers.

overcall British  

noun

1. a bid higher than the preceding one

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verb

1. to bid higher than (an opponent)

Etymology

Origin of overcall

First recorded in 1905–10; over- + call

Example Sentences

West made an unusual Unusual No-trump overcall with 4=6, not 5=5, distribution.

From New York Times • May 1, 2015

But with East likely to have the diamond king given his overcall, the defenders were threatening to take two spades, one heart and two diamonds.

From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2015

Opposite a passed partner, he made an aggressive three-spade overcall, despite being vulnerable.

From New York Times • Nov. 14, 2014

At both tables, South opened one spade and West made a three-club weak jump overcall.

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2014

"Two Diamonds" will still overcall "One No Trump," although the "no trump" declaration has been doubled.

From Hoyle's Games Modernized by Hoffmann, Louis