[mycroft]

Inflexible here means "you don't get a choice on when to play it"; more particularly, "you can't hold up". Same (or more so) applies to singleton A or Qxx into nothing.

[Fluffy]

1NT will avoid trouble in diamonds, and shows strength accurately, only flaw is that a single stopper to a 5+ suit is not ideal.
Double encourages spades, but risks playing in diamonds, and also will struggle to show the strength,

I have it hard to decide between both.

[nige1]

[/quote]

I rank
1. 1N = NAT. Slightly off-shape.
2. 1♠ = NAT. Good suit but a bit short.
3. Double = T/O. Fixed by likely ♥ response.
4. 2♣ = NAT. Poor suit. Dangerous.
5. 1N = ART. Raptor. 5+m 4+OM. Poor honor placement and a bit strong Kit Woolsey recommends Raptor over short ♣/♦ because you can show either minor but probably not with hands like this

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[jddons]

Stefan_O, on 2016-September-27, 09:45, said:

What exactly do you mean by "inflexible" stop?

What would constitute a "flexible" stop?

Mycroft has my meaning exactly; hence a flexible stop would be Axx(x) so that you choose when/if to cut defensive communication.

[jddons]

Thanks for all the opinions expressed. There seems to be a preference for a 1NT overcall, albeit not a strong one. Although the actual hand is not really pertinent to the post, I know that I like to find out what precipitated other peoples posts.

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As you see, when North bid again, I, East, decided to go quietly. I led ♦K and continued with♦ J. Partner expecting me to have 3 diamonds won with the A and switched after which 8 tricks were routine for declarer.- 4 IMPs. Of course, an immediate diamond ruff followed by AK♠ and a fourth diamond for a trump promotion would defeat the contract. For EW, 1N is straightforward, 2♣ and 2♦ look more problematic.

[Kaitlyn S]

jddons, on 2016-September-30, 10:42, said:

1N is straightforward, 2♣ and 2♦ look more problematic.

2S by East is interesting (after a 1S overcall) - it appears that South should lead a trump after ruffing a heart at trick 2 but that is far from obvious single dummy, and a diamond or a club lead will probably let 2S slip through.

[wank]

that your partner misdefended 2D doesn't affect the bidding. considering north bid again when you were trying to play in his qtxx side suit, it seems a safe bet that he would have bid had you tried any of the pseudo-alternatives.

[chasetb]

I would have made a double initially, and I expect partner not to bid 2♦ unless (s)he has 5 or more of them. This means oftentimes a 1♠ response to a T/O X is made on a 3-card suit, but in this position I don't think I have ever made one without having 4 Spades. Your partner must not be that flexible (unless (s)he thought you had KJT, in which case I have a little sympathy).

[mcphee]

Although I don't hate to o/c a decent 4 card suit I think I would bid 1N. We may as well go for the home run as any action carries risk. 2C for me is not even a close consideration. For example your LHO might get a free shot to convert a re-opening dble of 2C holding as little as J10xx and perhaps Ace of H. A 2C o/c could produce a divot any golfer would be proud of. While 1NT isn't perfect it looks to me like the best choice even with my lack of aces.

[jddons]

chasetb, on 2016-October-01, 02:03, said:

I would have made a double initially, and I expect partner not to bid 2♦ unless (s)he has 5 or more of them. This means oftentimes a 1♠ response to a T/O X is made on a 3-card suit, but in this position I don't think I have ever made one without having 4 Spades. Your partner must not be that flexible (unless (s)he thought you had KJT, in which case I have a little sympathy).

You make a good point. I would prefer a 1♠ to 2♦ response. I was actually playing with a regular partner of cyberyeti. Like cy, he also preferred a 1♠ bid on my hand. Playing in this style, one can place less reliance on 4 spades for the double and more reliance of at least 3 cards in both minors. Who would have thought take out doubles presented so many opportunities for misunderstanding.

[Phil]

jddons, on 2016-September-30, 10:42, said:

Thanks for all the opinions expressed. There seems to be a preference for a 1NT overcall, albeit not a strong one. Although the actual hand is not really pertinent to the post, I know that I like to find out what precipitated other peoples posts.

---

As you see, when North bid again, I, East, decided to go quietly. I led ♦K and continued with♦ J. Partner expecting me to have 3 diamonds won with the A and switched after which 8 tricks were routine for declarer.- 4 IMPs. Of course, an immediate diamond ruff followed by AK♠ and a fourth diamond for a trump promotion would defeat the contract. For EW, 1N is straightforward, 2♣ and 2♦ look more problematic.

You can also lead a club and the contract will go quietly although I agree the defense is fairly straightforward.