preempt

[hv=d=e&v=b&s=sqj43hq106dj53caq8]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv]

Would have bid 3♣ over 2♥. Now I bid 4♥ hoping he'll bid 4♠ so my conversion to 5♣ will sound like a slam invite. Double wasn't balancing since I would have had a chance to bid over 3♥-P-P and, it wasn't unlikely I would have to bid at the 4 level over his double, so pard should have a very good hand.

The moral of the story is: don't play individuals unless you 1. have very high tolerance for insanity at the bridge table 2. enjoy pain or 3. are collecting sob stories :)

I like your response structure. It seems like it might work well. I play the same 2♥ response and we use simple continuations: New suits are natural at least 5 card length and the auction develops naturally. We play the 2♥ bid denies any 5 card suit so responder can bid 4 card suits, bid notrump or raise, whatever seems most appropriate. 2 notrump by opener is balanced (5332 or 5422 with a 5 card minor is okay) and asks responder to bid 4 card suits up the line. 1♣-2♥-2nt-3nt shows 3334 specifically so 3♣ guarantees a second 4 card suit. opener also shows his 4+ card suits up the line or bids 4nt to invite slam, 3nt to sign off, kickback to ask for key cards, raises a minor to initiate control bidding, or raises a major to sign off. Other rebids by opener are 3nt: sign off with no interest in slam or a suit fit 4nt: balanced slam invitation 4♣: straight gerber You can define other jumps however you want. This is a very simple structure so it minimizes any memory strain. It could also be used after your 2♠ response.