Not by the Book

You are South, the dealer.

1. What would you open?

2. Assume you open 1♥. Partner responds 1♠. What should you rebid?

Scroll down for the full hand, a suggestion/solution and/or explanation

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Gino's Suggestion and a Short Explanation

1. Open 1♥ or 2NT. By the book this semi balanced hand with two doubletons is a 1♥ opening. However, holding 2 doubeltons with honors you can always treat your hand as balanced and open NT.

2. If you opened 1♥, rebid 3♣, a jump shift. You show your distribution - 5+♥, 4+♣ - and your powerful strength 18+ HCP. This is a game forcing rebid.

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