I can't say I'm a big fan of the negative double with such scanty values.

My hand was the opening hand with an ordinary 15-count, pretty close to Bernard's hand.
♠K93 ♥A1054 ♦A3 ♣KJ72

Partner made the normal-looking 3♥ bid and I passed it out without much thought.

Spot cards came into play as spades were guessable for two losers, the heart finesse worked and hearts were 3-2. Plus they led the ♦Q on the go so I made 5.

Half the field is just bidding 4♥ over 2♥. Admittedly, it was a weak club game.

4♦. I hope partner doesn't have three small spades.
♠Kx ♥Jxxx ♦xxx ♣Kxxx is possible.

I was thinking partner had diamonds and spades. I have some good values, so I double.

Some pairs play that the responder may only have five hearts after 1♣-1♥-1♠-2♣-2♦-2♥. In that case, West can go ahead and bid 3♣. Then responder can bid 3♥ instead of 3NT, and opener can pass that. Even 3♥ is too high but c'est la vie.

Partner did not negative double so he doesn't have a decent hand with four hearts. Given that, 3NT is most likely the best game.

We're playing with a 30 point deck so my hand is pretty good. Too much, I think, for 3♣, but I don't want to game force. I like a responsive double followed by 4♣.

I don't think pass is bad at all. I am not passing with this hand but would not disagree with someone who did.

I didn't think doubling with this hand in the passout seat was insane at this vulnerability. Partner said I had “suffered from a testosterone overdose”. He had a 11-count with something like 3-2-5-3 distribution. He was lucky and made 7 tricks in 2♠ doubled.

John's “necromantic” comment is apropos because I didn't think about the possibility of them getting back into the auction and getting to 3NT making.

Yes.

I think the original double is close but I abstained because I would have pulled 4♠X to 5♦. That way, partner can make the decision (and take the blame :)) to bid on or double 5♥.

Paraphrased Google translation, apologies if this isn't right. I don't see how they can bid 3NT not knowing about diamond stopper.

Background: Opening 1NT Viel and direct adverse stimulus. The card states Lebensohl conventions.



Case # 1: Opponents overcall 2 ? natural

1NT-2 ? -x-Pass?

Responder's double shows 8-10 HCP and is invitational, and denies a 5 card suit.

If opener is minimum 14/15

2 ? or 2 ? , 4 or 5 card major. If the responder has at least 3 cards in the opener's suit, they play a part score in at least one 7 card fit. Otherwise, fallback to 2NT to play.
Opener passes for penalty without a 4 or 5 card major.

If opener is maximum 16/17

3 ? or 3 ? if 5 card major, forcing one round.

2NT if no 5 card major, this does not deny a 4 card major. If the responder has a 4 card major, he must verify if the opener has one too. He must bid 3 ? ! (CHECKBACK Stayman). The opener will show, if he has one, his 4 card major. If he has two, he bids 3 ? , the responder can then place the contract in the 4-4 major suit fit. Otherwise, responder bids 3NT, denying a 4 card major.

Depending on methods, you might be able to show good clubs (Qxx or better) by bidding 2NT or 3♣ over the 2♠ transfer. Then you can start cuebidding while still below 3NT.

1NT-2♠ (transfer)
3♣ (I like clubs)-3♦
3♥ Ask for key cards
Two key cards + queen-?

Now the grand is at worst on the diamond finesse. 13 of the opener's points are known. Maybe he has ♦Q. Maybe he has ♥QJ. Maybe he has a fourth club.

If you pass 2NT, they will transfer to spades and the strong hand will be concealed. But if you bid 3♥ to direct the lead, the strong hand will be dummy if the spade bidder now bids spades. So if you're going to bid 4♦, you might as well bid 3♥ on the way there.

I like double first. If partner bids spades I'll know that we belong there.

Playing the ♥A at trick one gives you an immediate entry to play a trump. Maybe that would work.

Double looks pretty much automatic.

I have sympathy for all the calls. I like 2♥ the least.
I think it should go: 1♣-1♦-1♥-pass, or 1♣-1♠-2NT-pass, depending on methods.

I'm not going to punish partner for trying to compete. 2♣.