I Had 19 Points and the Player in Front of Me Opened 2 Hearts

I had 19 points and the player in front of me opened 2 hearts:

This hand caused a lot of questions after the game on a recent Tuesday afternoon:

S- A-3 H- 9-8-7 D- A-Q-J-4 C- A-K-J-7

So what do you do? Double? (You're partner is going to bid a lot of Spades) Overcall a minor? (A little short aren't you?) 2NT shows the points (NOT Unusual) but you lack the necessary Heart stop. So what do you do?

At this point it's necessary to back up a little first. Let me show you what Joyce and I do over weak twos:

A double shows general strength, opening hand or better with the other major-or a very strong one-suited hand. Overcall of a suit shows a playable 5-card suit with and opening hand or better. (Players who routinely overcall or double with 8-counts are just begging you to take a top-accept with alacrity) With a two suited hand we use what is called Leaping Michaels-this bid of a minor at the four level shows the minor and at least five cards in the other major. (With both minors and four level playing strength, we start with diamonds and re-bid in clubs)

Now-you notice there is one bid we haven't used yet-the cue bid. This is the one you use with this type of hand. The cue bid asks partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in Hearts-otherwise pick a minor. Look at the hand-with a Heart stop and a few stray honors, you have a very reasonable shot at 3NT. Hope this helps.

Patrick