New defense to 1NT

This is called HELLO by Jerry Helms and Bill Lohman, and Meg and I are trying it out as of this week. It has a lot of characteristics in a defense that I look for: the ability to double 1NT for penalty, natural 2S overcall, etc. It goes a little something like this.

Dbl = penalty

2C = either a 1-suited hand with diamonds OR a 2-suited hand in a major and a minor suit

2D = a 1-suited hand in hearts (like a transfer)

2H = a 2-suited hand in the majors

2S = a 1-suited hand in spades

2NT = a 1-suited hand in clubs (again a transfer)

3C = a 2-suited hand in the minors

3D = a strong 2-suited hand in the majors (good to be able to differentiate)

Now these bids are good as a direct overcaller to 1NT opening (either a weak or strong 1NT), and as responder you can either bid the suit that works for you or bid 2NT to invite game. One quick note: there's only one response to 2C and that is 2D (this allows partner to pass with the diamond hand or bid the major to show the major/minor 2-suiter).

In the passout seat, the bids change a little.

Dbl = either a 1-suited hand in clubs OR 2-suited in the red suits (4 hearts & 5+ diamonds)

2 suit = same as above

2NT = (non-passed hand) strong 1-suited in clubs

    (passed hand) 2-suited in the minors

After the double by the passout seat, partner has to bid 2C so that he can pass with the club hand. This part of the defense isn't necessary, though.

One more use of this system is after a 1NT overcall of 1 suit by your side. For example,

1H (1NT) dbl = penalty

 2C = 1-suited in diamonds OR 2-suited in spades/minor

 2D = support in hearts

 2H = 2-suited in hearts & spades

 2S = 1-suited in spades

 2NT = 1-suited in clubs

 3C = 2-suited in the minors

We don't play this yet, but it might be worth looking into. Enjoy HELLO all my readers!