[louisg]

No one has yet suggested what I think is best, namely that it shows values with shortness in the unbid minor (and can stand a lead of opener's minor if partner chooses to defend). IMO, this combines the best features of both the penalty and takeout treatments. Partner can bid a major safely with 4 cards, or pass when the hand is a complete misfit. It is also safer than using it to show the balanced 14 count with values in m, because we are more likely to have a playable landing spot when partner is weak.

My prototype for this auction (assuming the opener's suit is diamonds) is something like:

Axxx
KJTx
AJTx
x

This hand doesn't merit any positive action on the first round, but has lots of potential both offensively and defensively once the opponents subside in 1NT.

[NickRW]

ArtK78, on Sep 17 2008, 07:16 PM, said:

Nick:

Suppose you, sitting in second seat, hold:

Scoring: IMP

---

And the auction goes:

(1♦) - P - (P) - Dbl
(P) - ?

This is a classic penalty pass.

However, suppose instead of passing, your LHO bids 1NT:

(1♦) - P - (1NT) - P
(P) - ?

3rd seat bid 1N and not 1M? Very unusual indeed that 3rd seat doesn't have a major he/she wants to show when I hold something like this, and opener didn't open 1M either. I can't remember ever being in the situation you describe.

I have to admit that I play in an environment where 4 card majors and weak NT are the norm. And some of the 4 card major people are opening the higher of 2 4 card suits as well. This may considerably affect my experience compared to yours.

Nick

[whereagles]

I learned that this dbl = "lead dummy's suit". One can argue this is a good use for it.