[Free]

Just curious what the current mainstream style is on a hand like this. You hold:

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RHO opens 1♣ in 1st seat. Do you overcall 1♠ or do you Dbl? What's the main reasoning behind your choice?

[gwnn]

1♠

my reasoning is that I have a 5 card major and this is how I will look for a fit in my 5 card major. there is also the nuisance factor.

[kenberg]

So far I am in the "vast majority" with two voted for 1S and one vote for double. My thinking is roughly the obvious: If partner has three spades we can compete in spades, if partner has as little as Qx I probably want a spade lead against their no trump contract. I can see a case for double but I go with 1S.

[Codo]

I have 5 spades and no 4 Hearts.
I know that my choice will not always work, but I will always bid 1 ♠

[Fluffy]

1♠ I'd do the same with 5431

[hanp]

To use the words of free: I think double is seriously lol.

[Phil]

Was double 'ever' the mainstream style with this hand type?

[cherdanno]

So double is better when partner's hearts are at least 5 cards long and at least 3-cards longer than his spades, and he can't bid them over 1♠, he won't overcompete in hearts due to hoping for 4-card support.
Bidding spades is better whenever we have a spade fit, as we might not find it otherwise when partner has 3 spades, and as partner won't know of the big fit otherwise when he has 4 or more spades. It's also better when we get to play 1S in a 5-2 fit instead of 1/2red in a 4-3 fit. It's also better whenever partner is strong as we can describe our hand (which we can't anymore after a double).

Which one is more likely?

[lexlogan]

Phil, on Sep 15 2010, 02:14 PM, said:

Was double 'ever' the mainstream style with this hand type?

I was reading an old (60's) book by Ron van der Porten where he emphasized doubling with this sort of hand. But I learned from Robert Ewen to bid the major first, double for takeout later. This hand is not strong enough to double and then bid spades; making a taekout double is asking to play in a 4-3 fit in preference to the 5-3 you'll never find by doubling.

I would not overcall such a poor suit with less than opening bid values.

[MFA]

Even 5431 usually bids 1♠.

[jdonn]

I overcall 1♠. My reasoning is that double is ridiculous.

[JLOGIC]

1S

[Flameous]

1♠

Make the suit 5 high and I would have to consider

[Simplicity]

Flameous, on Sep 15 2010, 06:25 PM, said:

1♠

Make the suit 5 high and I would have to consider 

This is very true, overcalling 1♠ on 4 card suit headed by the 5 would be very different

[aguahombre]

If Justin's answer to a poll is not "double", double is not to be considered .

I cannot imagine any gain from doubling.