Ishudav

I have just read The ACBL rules and I can well understand your difficulty in following them. If anything, I am slightly inclined to say you should alert. The EBU Blue Book rules (2018) are much more explanatory 4 B 2 Doubles The rules for alerting doubles are: (a) Suit bids that show the suit bid Alert, unless the double is for take-out. (b) Minor suit openings which may be shorter than three cards but which may be natural and which do not promise a strong hand Alert, unless the double is for take-out. © No trump bids Alert, unless the double is for penalties. (d) Suit bids that do not show the suit bid Alert, unless the double shows the suit bid. Doubles are also alertable if they convey a potentially unexpected meaning in addition to takeout or penalties (see 3H2 and 3H3). In 4B2(a) and (d) the word ‘show’ is defined as follows: ‘it is natural, or shows willingness, in the context of the auction, to play in the suit, or it has been followed by two passes’. It doesn't saying anything about doubling for a lead, so in this country, I think you would have to alert in the situation you are referring to.

I agree with all of this, except "A heart discard on the K of clubs and the 4th spade won't do any good." Without the second discard, we have to play E for the HQ OR W for the singleton Q. With it, we have to choose between finessing E for the HQ OR for the HA.

Underlead from Axxxx at trick 1. Dummy has Kxx, declarer Jxx. Declarer thinks "There is no point in playing the K." 3rd hand wins with the Q, sends one back and then gets a ruff. Was it a cunning plan or was it a beginner? I'm stll fuming 50 years later!

Re "We play that opener's rebid should give preference to showing shape and strength over showing his major." Assuming balanced is 4333 or 5332, then you rebid 1NT if in the correct range. Assuming 5431 is unbalanced, then you rebid 1 of your major, 11 - 18. With 5242 - semi-balanced - you have to discuss with partner. I have had various agreements with various partners for 50 years, but whatever you agree with a particular partner, stick to it!