PhilKing

[x] The opposition always have seven clubs when they overcall. [x] The spade ace is always in dummy.

Yep. Pard can't just assume minors, so has to respond 5♣ with ♠xxx ♥x ♦Jxxxx ♣Kxxx in case we have clubs and hearts.

Try this: 2♣ = 13+ does not promise fit, or strong with diamonds 2♦ = ucb 2♥ = clubs 2♠ = raise 2NT = circa 15-16 bal inv 3♣ = clubs inv 3♦ = diamonds inv Over 2♣, overcaller bid 2♦ to show a bad overcall, then responder bids 2♠ with 13-14 bal 2♣ then 2NT = 17+ nat GF 2♣ then anything above 2NT = ♦s strong It works much the same after 1♣-1♠ or whatever, where it gives more definition to our heart hands (2[hearet] direct NF, stronger goes via 2♣).

You don't need to be Einstein to work out that, when spades are trumps, the suit below clubs is hearts. But I agree it is not really for you. The plus is that it stops them doubling a splinter and finding a sacrifice (which is not that uncommon). The other factors are break even (space) or minus (lead directing doubles). The last point is not necessarily true against some pairs. For instance, I play a double of a splinter asks for a lead of the suit below when my side is vulnerable.

OP stated "10-12" - not 10-12 HCP. It would be amazingly bad for partner to have 12 HCP often, for instance - 9HCP with a doubleton is more typical. So the sim also has to be condemned as well.

Who on Earth leads a diamond on this auction when a spade is know to be safe. And why did we play on clubs?

I want to play in 2♥, because there is a fair chance of 5 losers. I will have to settle for 3♥ now. If desperate I could punt 3NT, which may have the same tricks. eg Jxx AJxx Axx Jxx.

I think the passers may have just misread the problem. It looks like a completely obvious take-out double. Lacking four cards in a red suit, pard will just bid his lower 3-card red and pass if 5224 (and also with some 5323 hands with a suitable club holding). He will jump exactly never given that he passed over 2♣. I understand 2♥ - it's a decent matchpoint punt, but double has more ways to win.

Did the modifications include the brilliant decision to play take-out doubles when they overcall?

2♥ - hearts and a minor. I like playing two-level bids as Multi Landy (as if they had opened 1NT). But this is only legal if a club could show two. Failing that, I would definitely bid 1♥.

4NT minors. Hmmm, that's unlikely to be done without 6-6 distribution, I would think, but it would be nice to know for sure. Anyway, a club looks like the best chance for two tricks. Trying to grab a major suit trick looks like a mugs game.

What on earth would possess anyone to even think of moving here?

Oh, lol. My mentor for forcing passes is the barman.

The sequence 1♣-x is described. Specific seat 6 scenarios are not described - there isn't room for second round actions, surely. 1♥ is alerted. Equally, we could float a diamond against players that play pass then double as 10+ balanced and have it clearly marked on their card (which they should, since the pass is a common first round action). Strangely, we played the countermeasure you describe for a while (pass then double 10+ balanced), but have abandoned it. I doubt whether trapping again over 1♥ is percentage with 11 points, though, since the deck has to be split 5, 12, 12 to have much chance of a bigger fish.

Yes to both.

I don't see how they can exploit this weakness in my system over 1♣ without just creating frequent problems for themselves. And just because the max is 21, responder is not moving with four points and three hearts without a useful feature on top.

21, I guess. It's just like opening 1♥ playing 4-card majors, except more is known about responder's hand.

Pass is not forcing for me.

Yep, you need the option of putting pard in 7♠ with no escape.

2♣ is natural, NF, but I prefer it to be encouraging. 3♣ nat 4054 about 18-19. Why do you need a forcing bid?

Acol twos. 2♣ strong any. No choice! 2♣ was never widely played as natural and strong in the UK.

Sorry - forgot smiley wink face. The ultra-weak examples I have come across are all NV, and it is clearly marked on his CC.

Obvious disinformation - the only reason he is commentating is to give off false reads.

The case for 4♥ is surely much stronger in third seat. 1♥ feels right in 4th.

Are we allowed to know what the opening lead is? It may not matter to anyone else, but I'm a pedant about these things.