'The most interesting questions from visitors to the Dutch sister site (Bridgevaria.nl)'. 

Hi Ed and Peter,

My right hand opponent opens 1♠.
This is my hand:

What is the best bid in your opinion? In practice I overcalled 2SA (Ghestem, in this case equivalent to the Unusual NT: minor twosuiter).
My partner and I have agreed to do so with 5-4 as well, provided the four-card suit is headed by at least two top honours.
Let the oracle speak.

Regards,
Hilbrand Uiterwijk

Answer Ed Hoogenkamp (South)

Dear Hilbrand,

I prefer a take-out double. I know, the three-card heart suit is not ideal but this hand will often play well on a 4-3 fit, I think.
With my luck partner would probably turn out to have five hearts if I were to bid 2NT. So I will certainly not risk 2NT.
You didn't supply us with the vulnerability, which may influence your decision. Whether you consider bidding 2NT depends on how you have defined Ghestem/Unusual NT at various vulnerabilities. Not vulnerable against vulnerable and vulnerable against not I would certainly not bid 2NT. Oh well, I'm beginning to repeat myself.
A double is closest to the truth, I think.
Let's see what Peter thinks of it. This looks to be the ideal hand for that single famous Norwegian convention: the Strölköping 5♣ overcall. If I remember correctly it shows a singleton in spades, exactly three hearts, five bad clubs — though with intermediates — and usually a very good four-card diamond suit (at least ♦AQ). True, you may end somewhat high but partner knows exactly what to expect.

Regards from Barcelona

Answer Peter van der Linden (North)

Dear Hilbrand,

I'll start with a serious reply, later I will react to Ed's convention-madness.
I think that this is a matter of extra strength. If I have some extra strength I double with this distribution. The stronger the hand, the less it has to meet the distributional demands for a take-out double.
The strength required for a take-out double has been seriously reduced in the last twenty years. Nowadays 'everybody' doubles a 1♥ opening on an 11-12 count and a four card spade suit, provided the rest of the distribution is right (maximum two hearts, at least three diamonds and clubs). Also 'everybody' doubles a 1♣/♦ opening on 11 HCP, 4-4 in the majors and at least three cards in the other minor (and sometimes even without the latter...).
If you look at your hand this way, this very good fourteen count is clearly better than a minimum for the double. So I would double.
With fewer points I would pass. I do not think a 5-4 hand qualifies as a two-suiter: possession of precisely that fifth card often is of extreme importance when bidding decisions have to be taken — usually at high level.
Another reason for this negative advice has been given by Ed: after a 2NT overcall you will too often miss a 5-3 heart fit. Therefore, if you think it's alright in itself to show a 5-4 hand as a two-suiter, you shouldn't do it with this one, because of the three-card suit in the other major. Reserve it for a hand with 2-2 or 3-1 in spades and hearts).

To conclude with I have to react to Ed's 'Strölköping'-nonsense:
1. In Norwegian spelling a diaeresis is extremely rare. Ed's invention looks more like pseudo Swedish (in Norwegian 'Strølkøping' would have been more logical).
2. I think that an average Norwegian team will trash an average Spanish team, even if the Norwegians would be forced to play none-existing (made-up by Ed) conventions like Strølkøping. The bad contracts they will bid now and then because of those nonsensical conventions will be more than compensated by their skilful dummy play! Just as the Brazilians did a long time ago during the football (soccer!) world championships. They were not very keen on defending but it didn't matter: if they conceded three or four goals, they simply scored six or seven themselves!

Greetings from Orkanger

Reaction Ed Hoogenkamp (South)

Dear Peter,

I have to admit that it's true: Norway will absolutely trash Spain at bridge.
Even so; two remarks:
- If the Norwegians line you up as a guest player and Spain does likewise with me, the odds will suddenly change dramatically. I think the Norwegians stand little or no chance.
- Remarkable, this bringing in of football. Now if we were to compare Norway and Spain in this field...