[kenberg]

There are questions of general approach: Is it better to open a minor 4-4 with 1♣ or 1♦. Are transfer responses to 1♣ openings a good idea. But for this hand, it seems to me that it is hard to argue with the ease of 1♦-1♥-2NT-3♦(natural)-3♠(denying three hearts and showing a spade control). Assuming that North now knows what the key card asking bid is, he asks. He learns the partnership has four Aces, the King of Diamonds, and they do not have the Queen of Diamonds. He bids 6♦.

Other methods may well work better on other hands, no doubt there are reasons for other methods. Here it seems to me that science is more likely to create clutter. No doubt is can be handled, but the straightforward approach is, well, straightforward.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

kenberg, on 2013-January-04, 15:12, said:

There are questions of general approach: Is it better to open a minor 4-4 with 1♣ or 1♦.

I read on a message board somewhere ( I can't remember when or where ) that when holding an 18,19 count that it is OK to open 1C with 4-4 in the minors ( especially if the ♣ suit is much better than ♦ ) . However, the hand here ( and Fluffy ) convinces me that a 1D open is better .

Anyway, I have another sequence in the GGG ( Gnasher's Gameforce Gadget ) which would describe Opener's hand as a 3 2 4 4 after a 1H response to either a 1C or 1D open:

South
1m (1C/1D) - 1H
2S! ( artificial GF ) - 2NT! ( asks clarification )
3NT! ( 3 2 4 4 ) - 6D

...3NT! denies 4s, denies 3h, denies 5m .. ergo: 3 2 4 4
The other replies to the 2NT! ( ask ) :
... 3m = no 4s, no 3h; just long minor suit ( 5+m )
... 3om ( other minor ) = 4s, no 3h
... 3H = no 4s but have 3h
... 3S = have 4s AND 3h