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Not much. When they bid 1, you should initially assume it's a real suit, and bid accordingly. There are only a small number of hand patterns that require opening a short club: 4=4=3=2 (outside their NT range) and 4=4=4=1, and the latter only if they have a conventional 1. So most of the time their 1 will look similar to standard 1.
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Over a real suit, the t/o X will show 3 cards in each unbid suit.

 

Over the short or the 2+ (usually described as "natural or x-y balanced"), it makes sense to describe X as "3.5 cards in each major and almost unknown # (say 2+) of cards in the other minor". So you should respond in a major as often as possible, preferring this to om even with 3-3.

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Not much. When they bid 1, you should initially assume it's a real suit, and bid accordingly. There are only a small number of hand patterns that require opening a short club: 4=4=3=2 (outside their NT range) and 4=4=4=1, and the latter only if they have a conventional 1. So most of the time their 1 will look similar to standard 1.

Not all short clubs are made the same.

 

I play one system where 1 is natural clubs, a weak NT, or a big NT (17-19 bal).

 

Then 1 is natural and unbal.

 

I have seen several different reasonable methods here. The main thing is to have an agreement with your partner.

 

Here are some possible methods:

 

Option 1 - Just treat the short minor as natural.

Dbl = takeout

1NT = strong NT with stopper

2 = michaels

overcalls natural

With long clubs, just pass and take action later.

 

Option 2 - multi-way dbl, 1NT for takeout

Dbl = clubs or a big hand (2 asks)

2 = michael's

1NT = weak takeout (~11-14)

overcalls natural

 

Option 3 - canape overcalls

Dbl = takeout

1///2 = 3+ cards, 2nd longest suit

1NT = strong NT with stopper

 

Option 4 - if you play a strong club, continue to play it!

Dbl = strong club

others as if RHO passed

 

I know of a good pair that was successful in playing option 4, although it's not my cup of tea. Again, the main thing is to decided on an option, then discuss all of the follow ups.

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In a regular partnership it is worth considering playing 2 as natural and using 2 as Michaels.

 

Like Matt I know a good pair who play the following against short clubs, including Polish:

 

Dbl=I'd have opened 1 (so we now treat LHO's bid as interference)

1=5+ spades

1=natural

1=weak t/o of 1

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Depending on how likely 1 is to be a 3-card or less, you may agree to play 2 as natural.

That's what I do with my regular partner, even if 1 promises 4+.

1NT=natural (15-18)

2=natural

2=wjo in one major

2M=weak/strong Michaels

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In the world junior pairs in Slovakia last summer, I played strong club defence against 2+ 1C openings.

 

Had one or two poor results when they had a weak NT and it was our hand...

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