vang

i think 3S is eating too much bidding space. if the support doubles are off, the perfect, double to show extra values and see part reaction

i think 2C is ok. 1S risk of being passed by partner with xxx xxx xxx Kxxx or similar hands

this is standard

"Once South bid 4♠, West pretty much knew that 2♣ was Drury. " -- bullshit.

responder bid 3NT which can be passed. so, 5D cannot be slam-inviting with spades. because one cannot be slam invitational and risk to stop in 3nt. 5D it's obviously to play by bridge logic.

open 1NT => easy slam(?). open 1D - i quite agree with Antrax open 1C - i disagree with Antrax, i think it should start 1C -1H - 1NT - and now i preffer double check back to setup GF etc

better than to play 3HX i'd say ;-)

i'd expect a "good" 4H with club suit. i'll go slaming, probably via 4D cue, 4H part, 4NT KC for hearts

it's 7-9 BAL or 14-16 BAL.

2H (ugly, but you can't have it all...)

thanks everyone, I have made a mix from your suggestions: DBL = strong, any 16+ HCP, (first step negative response) 1S = natural (8-15 HCP, normal overcall) 1NT = 11-15, 5m+4M (2C=p/c, 2D=ask major, 2H=p/c) 2C/D/H = natural 11-15 (minor overcalls denies 4cM because of 1NT) in 4th pos: - after 1H - p - DBL=normal takeout to hearts, anything else natural - after (1H) - (1S = relay) - as above (strong double, 1NT=5m4M, 2x=natural) - after (1H) - (2 any = natural NF) - normal takeout doubles

please help me with a simple (i'd preffer simple to perfect) defense against this opening: "1h = 7-9 / 14-16 bal" -- the opening is passable (with 3+ hearts cf CC)

"off-road declarer play" by david bird.

heart ace

have you considered a simple compression algorithm? for example if we note KQ as M, the hand in cause become - Q MT5 M2. very usefull i think.