[hanp]

The_Hog, on Feb 16 2010, 10:22 PM, said:

M suit rebids over the double are natural, so we would even bid  1m (x) 1H with 4-4 Ms. With 5-4 we would bid the longer one, of course. However I don't think I am alone in  playing this.

I don't understand your use of the word "however". But more importantly: why do you play that double denies a 4-card major, who else plays this, do you think it is good, why do you think it is good and do you think that it is better than transfers?

[Free]

Agree with Han here. Compare the following methods after 1♣-(1♦)-...:

Dbl = no 4M
1♥ = 4+♥
1♠ = 4+♠

vs

Dbl = 4+♥
1♥ = 4+♠
1♠ = no 4M

In the second method you have more space after a transfer which is useful in finding 5-3 fits, and less space when you don't need it anyway (when you don't have a 4 card M).

[hanp]

I play something similar: dbl = 4-5 hearts and 1H = 4-5 spades. With a 6+ suit transfer at the 2-level.

[whereagles]

I have very bad experiences of playing in the 4-4 fit when I have a 7 card suit on the side. The reason? They tap dummy with the lead and then the side suit gets trashed due to lack of entries to cash it.

So I prefer to bury the spades and bid 3♣.