Use Cappelletti as a defence to 1NT from the opponents. With this you will be able to show shapely hands.

There is a danger of bidding with a holding of 5/4 in the Majors. Partner with a holding of 3/3 could pick the wrong one, and you could be playing in a 4/3 fit rather than a 5/3 fit.

However there is a neat solution to this. Reverse the 2♣ and 2♦ bids.

• 2♣ will show 5/4 OR 5/5 in the majors. Partner with equal length will bid 2♦ . You will now bid the suit with a 5 card holding, so avoiding playing in the dreaded 4/3 fit.

• 2♦ will show a 6 card major. Partner MUST bid 2♥ , which you will either pass or convert to 2♠  .

• 2♥ /♠  will show 5-card suit with 4 of a minor. After a 2NT response you will show the minor.

• 3♣ or 3♦ will show a 6-card suit and is to play. BUT see below if you passed initially.

• Double…After an initial pass will show a 6-card minor. Partner bids 2♣ which you pass or convert to 2♦ 

Bear in mind that with the original Cappelletti, that if you had a 6-card club suit the bidding would have finished in 3♣ (over the1NT bid....2♣ --2♦ --3♣ ), so it just means that you lose the availability to play in 2♦ . No great loss.

In the UK where most play the weak NT, the double for penalty is used with greater frequency. All Capelletti bids show under 14 points. Playing against strong NT you need to play it with under 16 points.

As with all conventional bids, discipline is the key to better results. If bidding 2♣ , then points should be in the majors with little or no defensive tricks in the minors.

Over interference,

After bidding 2♣ the next hand doubles.

1) 2♥ or 2♠  shows a 4 card suit

2) 2♦ will show equal length in both majors

3) Redouble would show willingness to play in clubs, holding a 5- card suit or GOOD 4- card suit

4) Pass would show something like 3/2 in the majors, and not good enough to redouble as above

After a 2♦ --- double

1) Redouble would show a 5- card suit in Diamonds or a GOOD 4- card suit

2 Pass with any other hand