X, 1NT or something else?

[el mister]

[hv=d=e&v=n&s=saj92hakj3d853cq9]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

East opens 1♦. What is my bid here in the direct seat?

 

At the table I doubled, pard bid spades and everything worked out fine. Bit lucky maybe? Is there a convention for showing 4-4 in the majors for these sort of hands?

[hanp]

Double was a very good choice, the best way to get the majors in the picture. 1NT is very flawed without a diamond stopper. Don't worry too much about the doubleton club.

[Codo]

X was a great choice- and close to a wtp....

 

It had been much harder with 2434 because nobody loves to lie about a major suit length.

[mich-b]

When you are 4-4 in the majors, it works well to double, even if you have 3 cards in openers minor, because partner will try to bid a major.

[helene_t]

If you bid 1NT without a stopper in the enemy suit, you risk that:

- 1NT goes down a lot, say opps start with six diamond tricks.

- Partner bids 3NT relying on you to have a stopper

- Partner bids 3NT having a stopper himself but it could be something like KJx which works much better if he declares so that his honors are protected against the opening lead.

 

So you absolutely need a stopper for a 1NT overcall, and should even try to find a better alternative if your diamonds are Ax or Axx, in which case a notrump contract is likely to play better from partner's side.

 

Dbl is not ideal either but it's ok. Partner won't have to bid 2♣ on a 4-card very often.

[gwnn]

everyone: x wtp

whereagles: 1NT wtp

Rev Dino: hey how can you x on this, this forum sucks

everyone else: hmm ok

 

thread closed.

[Fluffy]

I'd rather pass than bid 1NT. Double has a flaw, but its a small one compared to pass.

[jdonn]

Meckwell specifically mention that it's imperitive to double 1♦ with this shape and enough to act. Not that we didn't know that already.