Cappelletti is a contract bridge bidding convention used to intervene over opponent's 1NT opening. Its invention is usually attributed to Michael Cappelletti

Mike Cappelletti

A. Michael Cappelletti is an American bridge player and poker authority. Amongst poker players he is known as the author of the books Cappelletti on Omaha, The Best of Cappelletti on Omaha, Poker at the Millennium and How to Win at Omaha High-Low Poker, and also as columnist for the poker...

 and his longtime partner Edwin Lewis, but origin of the concept is also claimed by Fred Hamilton, John Pottage and Gerald Helms.

Cappelletti is particularly recommended for use against a weak 1NT opening (12-14 HCP) but can be used against stronger 1NT openings (15-17 HCP). The range for Cappelletti overcalls is 9-14 points. Over the 1NT opening, the intervening opponent in either second or fourth position makes one of the following artificial overcalls to show a one-suited or a two-suited hand:

• 2 shows a one-suited hand (usually 6 or more cards). Partner is expected to:
  • bid 2 with a weak hand, which the overcaller can correct to his long suit, or
  • bid 2 of a Major if he has a good 5 or 6 card suit, or
  • bid 2NT with a strong hand, (overcaller bids the suit)
• 2 shows both major suit
  Major suit
  In the card game contract bridge, the major suits are spades and hearts . The major suits are of prime importance for tactics and scoring as they outrank the minor suits while bidding and also outscore them...
  
  s (at least 5-4 or 4-5),
• 2 shows hearts and a minor (at least 5-4 or 4-5),
• 2 shows spades and a minor (at least 5-4 or 4-5),
• 2NT shows both minor suit
  Minor suit
  In contract bridge the minor suits are diamonds and clubs . They are given that name because contracts made in those suits score less than contracts made in the major suits , and they rank lower in bidding. In particular, one can make game with a bid of 4 in a major suit, while a bid of 5 is...
  
  s (at least 5-5).

With 15 or more points, a Double for penalties is recommended over the 1NT opening; generally showing 15-17 or 16-18 points based upon partnership agreement.

External links

• Bridge Buff website commentary on the MONK convention and shortcomings of Cappelletti.