[pclayton]

My style:

A 3 level overcall isn't forcing over a preempt, but new suits are 100% forcing.A cue promises primary support.

A jump overcall shows the upper range of a IJO to a SJO - 15 - 19 and a 6-7 bagger.

3N shows 16-21 and balanced or a trick source.

A double followed by a new suit shows a good hand, likely a 5 card suit and may be offshape. A double of 3C followed by 3S (over 3D) shows something like: AKxxx, AQx, AQ, xxx.

Cues can be what you want - but I play Michaels here.

[Fluffy]

MickyB, on Jun 8 2005, 03:27 PM, said:

You'd pass over 3♣ with AQJxxx Kxx Qxx x Fluffy? Yuck...you've got the club shortage so pard is never going to balance without a lot of strength, you're gonna miss game so often here.

wtih 11 HCP+ he will balance with 3NT if has lenght in ♣, that's how the trick works.

[MickyB]

Fluffy, on Jun 8 2005, 06:27 PM, said:

MickyB, on Jun 8 2005, 03:27 PM, said:

You'd pass over 3♣ with AQJxxx Kxx Qxx x Fluffy? Yuck...you've got the club shortage so pard is never going to balance without a lot of strength, you're gonna miss game so often here.

wtih 11 HCP+ he will balance with 3NT if has lenght in ♣, that's how the trick works.

Why put such pressure on balancer? It isn't like over a 1 level bid, where you keep quiet in direct seat because you expect LHO to bid - in this case, you expect LHO to pass (or worse still, further the preempt).

[hrothgar]

Fluffy, on Jun 8 2005, 08:27 PM, said:

MickyB, on Jun 8 2005, 03:27 PM, said:

You'd pass over 3♣ with AQJxxx Kxx Qxx x Fluffy? Yuck...you've got the club shortage so pard is never going to balance without a lot of strength, you're gonna miss game so often here.

wtih 11 HCP+ he will balance with 3NT if has lenght in ♣, that's how the trick works.

This type of strategy is completely unsound...

If RHO knows that your system requires mandatory balancing at the 3 level with a flat 11 count he'll start trap passing like mad. The only way that these types of agreements work is if you fail to provide the opponents with adequate disclosure.

[Fluffy]

Overcalling with 12 is better strategy? go and pass partner's pre as much as you like.