Overcall or double?

Play this bridge hand at Sky Bridge Club: skybridgeclub....
Right away we're faced with an important decision. After East opens 1♣, we have to decide whether to overcall or double.
Both bids accurately describe our hand. How can we decide the best thing to do?
♠♥♦♣♠♥♦♣♠♥♦♣♠♥♦♣
#bridge #contractbridge #duplicatebridge #learnbridgeonline

[@NIKOLASINGLESSIS]

Overcall in hearts is the best bid for this hand later on I double to show an opening hand I dont bid diamonds we may have a fit in spades which we will never find !! In this hand will lead us to a spade contract making 140/170 better than defending 3 clubs !! The hand was defended purely as partner could easily return a heart when in with the ace of clubs !!!

[@tassietiger5500]

I agree with 1H, but when 2C comes around surely double says I got a good hand, please bid in order, 2H with 3 small or 2 to K as we have AQJ, 2 S with 4+, 2D with 4+, pass with 5+ clubs. But the score says NS +50 = 100%? A glitch in the program? Surely some one may double. On a fairly automatic KS lead followed by AH, then QH, KH ruffed, small S to the AS then cash JH. That is 5 tricks with AC to come = 100 + 200 + 200 = 500.

[@veradux5580]

I like a one heart overcall -> gets a lead suggestion to partner and directly competes, and I also like the t/o double of 2 clubs. These two bids say to partner “I have a takeout double with 5 hearts.” Especially in the modern style players do like to make a takeout double with 4-4/4-5/5-4 in the majors, I think partner can reasonably assume your shape of 3-5-1-4 for this method of bidding.

[@d95mback]

3-5-2-3 would be the most common, I suppose.

[@archiewoosung5062]

I was taught that leading A from AK while defending against a suit contract is an excellent lead.

[@SmileyEmoji42]

I would think that an initial double is most likely to get a spade response (as it would in this case) and we are happy to play in spades. From E-W point of view you can see the appeal of a weak 1NT on this deal.

[@tashasgran]

As you have a singleton, I would lead A Spades hoping either side had a singleton also

[@kvom01]

After 1H overcall and auction is 2C to me, double allows partner to find the spade suit. Given hand makes 4S with careful play

[@pietergeerkens6324]

On a Club lead, which will be hard to avoid, North South can make 11 tricks in Spades on a Dummy reversal with careful play: Win Club Ace; then win Heart Ace and lead Heart Queen. If West covers: ruff low; return with a low Spade to Ace; ruff a low Heart with the Spade Jack; and lead a low Spade to the King noting the 2-2 break; and claim after pitching two diamonds from North on the established Hearts. If West ducks (best): discard a Diamond; ruff a heart low (protects against the 3-1 Spade break); lead low Spade to Ace; ruff a Heart with the Jack; lead low Spade to the King noting the 2-2 break; pitch a second Diamond from North on the established fifth Heart and claim upon conceding North's remaining Diamond.

[@georgenichols9364]

I see this as missing a 2 or 3 spade contract. With luck if the diamonds are not led making an overtrick. Partners hand is only good in spades and the double may encourage a bid. Am I far to eager based on the low percentage 2-2 spade split. How often is 3 spades made?

[@drosophilamelanogaster3957]

2-2 split is actually the highest probable percentage. Followed shortly by 1-3. They've missed a 4S contract by not doubleing the 1C

[@pietergeerkens6324]

@@drosophilamelanogaster3957 Careful play makes 11 tricks, on a dummy reversal, if East-West open with a Club lead (which is hard to avoid on this auction).

[@myronachtman4304]

In a million years, I would never bid 2D as my second bid with 4 pathetic cards in that suit. I would X to ask my partner to bid any other suit at the 2-level if the double came back to him. Partner might even bid 2H with a doubleton, which is not too ugly at the 2-level, and it still forces the opponents to the 3-level in Clubs.

[@armantookmanian1938]

At 3:45 you give a top limit for the overcall, but not the minimum promised hcps, which your partner would find more useful.

[@anthonyabbeymusic]

Good pace of lesson

[@jeanisabelodonnell5882]

if overcall 1H surely it does not indicate that we have a strong hand 16/17 points as you said? I thought overcalls were usually between 6.10

[@gerryarty8342]

THANK YOU BOTH :)

[@phyllisrichter1805]

When you double and then bid another suit, aren't you showing a stronger hand? 17+ points?

[@123bossix]

-unless your partner bids 1NT , after that a new suit is to play , because partner already promisses 9-11

[@chrisabbott5220]

And I immediately saw AK=7 and AQJ=7. Total 14. Horses for courses...

[@marykbennett8158]

What about a cue bid

[@thelmabyrne3691]

Cud n bid 1 spade

[@pattyclotfelter7512]

I think