[Gerben42]

Recently found on someone's convention card:

(1♣) 1♦ = strong NT
(1♣) 1NT = ♦ overcall

any thoughts? How would you play the follow-ups?

[wclass___]

I think it is a good idea to mimic [1♦]-2♣ situation over natural 1♣ as well, but i don't think it is a good idea to go high with 5♦+4M.

My idea

[rbforster]

The 1N overcall showing diamonds seems fine (maybe 2C is inv+ cue with 2D a min reply), but along wclass's lines you might bury a side 4M in overcallers hand if those hands arent bid differently (maybe Roman jump style where 2M overcall shows 4M and 5+D?). I'm not sure what the hope is for starting the 1N hands at 1D - staying low aiming at bailing in 1M seems a narrow target for such a specific hand. Why not go the overcall structure route and put the balanced hands in double?

1♣ X - strong balanced or any really strong hand
1♣ 1♦ - takeout of clubs
1♣ 1N - diamond overcall

[Phil]

rbforster, on 2011-September-17, 06:15, said:

The 1N overcall showing diamonds seems fine (maybe 2C is inv+ cue with 2D a min reply), but along wclass's lines you might bury a side 4M in overcallers hand if those hands arent bid differently (maybe Roman jump style where 2M overcall shows 4M and 5+D?). I'm not sure what the hope is for starting the 1N hands at 1D - staying low aiming at bailing in 1M seems a narrow target for such a specific hand. Why not go the overcall structure route and put the balanced hands in double?

1♣ X - strong balanced or any really strong hand
1♣ 1♦ - takeout of clubs
1♣ 1N - diamond overcall

Back in the day I played OS, I wanted to modify it because I hated the 1NTO. My scheme was:

1♣ - ?

x = power
1♦ = TOx
1M = natural
1N = diamonds and major
2♣ = clubs and a major...or natural
2♦ = natural
2♥ = majors
2♠ = natural