Posted 2008-April-24, 10:49
Remember the difference between DONT and other systems with a bid for the majors, like Landy or Hamilton, is that 4-4 is very possible (unless you're in my neck of the woods, who play DONT but haven't read Bergen, or don't agree with him if they have. The best part of that is that since they need 5-4 (some I have heard require 5-5!), they aren't D'ing MNT as often, and so get all the disadvantages of DONT (playing in the wrong suit, playing in the minor when both suits make 2 because there's a possibility of hooping themselves looking for the major, inability to show a single-suited hand (start with double, and then never get a chance to say anything as they wend their way to 3NT. Now you have to lead your suit even if it's best led through)) and all the disadvantages of a more constructive system (have to leave 1NT auctions undisturbed more often, mostly). Ah well.
But in terms of defending 2H, I treat it as I do any two-suited major bid (double is penalty, 2S is inv Stayman (yes, I can still get to the 4-4-4-1; harder to get to the 5-3-4-1, but oh well) 3H is GF Stayman). Not the best, but I have enough single cases in my system as it is; this one isn't worth the memory.
"Do you hear it?" -- Molly Conger