[jillybean]

A hand from Juniors BBO today...

NV, rho opens 1♥ and you hold

KQxx,Qx,AQJxx,xx

[hrothgar]

Absent gadgets I'd overcall 1♠

[skjaeran]

Playing ELC I double, else I overcall 1♠.

[Cascade]

I double. This is the best way to get a four-card spade suit into the picture.

I am not adverse to four-card overcalls but they are over-rated IMO. I suppose if partner knows that you overcall a four-card suit frequently they are ok but then you lose the definition that an overcall shows five plus.

In one partnership I actually play that I can overcall this hand 2♥ showing five diamonds and four spades. That works quite nicely but obviously it too has its costs.

[han]

1S, 2D and double are all somewhat reasonable in my opinion, each with their flaws. Michaels is the ugly duckling in this list, not sure how that could be an option.

My first choice is double, second choice 2D, third choice 1S. Make it KQxx xx AQJxx Qx and double is 100% clear I think. Make it Qxxx Qx AQJxx Kx and 2D is 100% clear I think. Make it, uhm, something different with this shape and 1S may be clear.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I prefer 2D.

2nd choice would be 2H, but you need to
have agreed, that a Michales Cue could be
5-4 and that you bid it with Intermediate hands
as well, both agreements are certainly not
mainstream.
Given the queen of hearts, I would not
do it even with this agreements in place.

X is out, I dont play ELC, if you do, the hand would
be perfect.
1S is ok, but I would prefer a better suit.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Apollo81]

I'll double, happy if playing ELC, willing to live with the consequences if not.

[jdonn]

I bid 2♦. I think most often after this one or the other opponent bids 2♥ and I get to bid 2♠ next. If it is passed out I think it's very unlikely we have game in spades. I am definitely not a fan of four card overcalls, especially on a good hand with other reasonable alternatives. I will only make them very tactically (meaning rarely) and usually on light hands as an obstructive manuver where pass is the only other alternative.

[jillybean]

pray tell, what is ELC?

[jdonn]

jillybean2, on Feb 26 2008, 06:21 PM, said:

pray tell, what is ELC?

Equal Level Conversion, meaning they can double and if partner bids 2♣ they can bid 2♦ without showing extras. Obviously that would be the way to go if playing that.

[rogerclee]

Double > 1♠ > 2♦

for me. I don't strongly prefer 1♠ to 2♦, but I strongly prefer Double over either.

[jdeegan]

Dbl. Doesn't everybody play equal conversion nowdays? So, if I bid 2♦ over partner's 2♣ bid, it does not promise much (if anything) in the way of extra values.

[Cascade]

jdeegan, on Feb 27 2008, 03:18 PM, said:

Dbl.  Doesn't everybody play equal conversion nowdays? 

I hope not

[pclayton]

Double.

Contrast this with the hand with 4 hearts and 5 diamonds in the other thread.

[whereagles]

Apollo81, on Feb 26 2008, 11:00 PM, said:

I'll double, happy if playing ELC, willing to live with the consequences if not.

Agrreee

[Fluffy]

I'd like to have ♠10 for bidding 1♠, anyway I don't feel very strong about any option, I like to bid 1♠.

[jillybean]

The biggest push was for the 4card ♠ overcall, seen as best to outbid the ops once they have opened ♥'s.
I would double here. I am trying to become a lot more disciplined, not less.

[TimG]

Do the doublers also double with:

♠KQxx ♥Qx ♦xx ♣AQJxx?

[jillybean]

TimG, on Feb 27 2008, 12:52 PM, said:

Do the doublers also double with:

♠KQxx ♥Qx ♦xx ♣AQJxx?

no
2♣ or 1♠ now