[gwnn]

xx
KQJTx
AKTx
xx

1♠-p-1NT*-?

unfavorable IMP's.

would your call be something else if 1NT was non forcing?

[rogerclee]

2♥. Why wouldn't I bid?

[awm]

I'm sure I'd bid 2♥ in both cases.

Sometimes I do like to bid more aggressively over 1NT(forcing) because they have more trouble sorting out follow-ups. But I tend to do this more on hands that are "light in points" and look sort of like a sound weak two bid, which doesn't describe this hand at all.

I could be convinced to double with this shape if my hand was better and my hearts were worse, but here the heart suit is quite solid.

[han]

Double.

[han]

Oh, I never read the other posts before replying. I guess 2H may be better, I would certainly bid 2H if 1NT was not forcing.

[JohnnyH7]

I like X.

With what kind of hands would you overcall 2H?

1) With 5431 you would usually double.
2) With 55 you would usually bid michaels.
3) With 5332 you would usually pass as it is very dangerous to overcall in sandwich position with that shape.

So:

With this shape I prefer to double so that my 2H overcalls here can show six as that is the most frequent hand type and partner can count on it. Also, with 5422 I have support for all the other suits, and we may belong in either:

1) clubs
2) diamonds
3) defending doubled.

With the trend these days to open AND respond light, they will often have too few points to be in 1N. Maybe partner has the blacks, and we are crushing them and they can't run.

For instance, suppose partner has:

KQJx x Qxx KJxxx. The opponents opened with 11 and responded with 4, as seems to be the style of some of the younger experts on this forum. If we overcall 2H here, we really let them off the hook.

Of course X is not penalty here, it is takeout, but partner will often convert.

This is similar to my NT defense, named JohnnyH over NT, where I double with hands that are not penalty oriented. How does this work?

Well:

1) Partner knows I have some points.
2) Partner knows I have 2 suits.
3) Partner will pass with some values.

Having our HCP divided is far more likely than something like 15 opposite 7, thus we get way more penalties playing JohnnyH vs NT.

I also think this post really illustrates how poor responding with terrible hands are. It's funny how these things work.

[jdonn]

JohnnyH7, on Feb 16 2008, 06:58 PM, said:

I also think this post really illustrates how poor responding with terrible hands are. It's funny how these things work.

Funny, if it got my opponents to double on hands like this I think I would never pass an opening bid again.

[pclayton]

2♥.

Don't jinx the thread with the unanimous poll (pole for Josh)) nonsense.

[the hog]

2♥.

[655321]

2♥, doesn't matter if 1NT is forcing or not.

[glen]

For the Cayne Camp, 2♦ showing ♦s and ♥s

[matmat]

2H... i'd be sick to my stomach if it went

(1s)-p-(1n)-x;
(2s)-3c-(p)-?

[skjaeran]

2♥ all the time.

[P_Marlowe]

2H.

It would be more dangerous, if 1NT
was not forcing, so the 1NT may still
contain a fit.

But I could easily be convinced, that
Pass is best.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[andy_h]

err..2H..