Equal Level Conversion

(Courtesy of Bob Crosby)

Equal Level Conversion (Concept)

Given the modern style of overcalling and handling two suited toys, Meckwell have come up with something they call "Minimum Equal Level Conversion" for takeout doubles. This understanding allows some flexibility with weaker off shape take out doubles. In fact, takeout doubles with only the majors or two suits is the better and more frequent bid with this Equal Level Conversion understanding. You need Equal Level Conversion to inform partner that you only have two suits rather than three suits after your takeout double. Holding one suited hands are not possible after you doubled for takeout or very rare. Jump cuebids help in that regard. If you have a nice two suiter (defensive) double and jump in your lower ranking suit. Jumps always imply distribution rather than strength when you have a cuebid available. You can also use the rank of suits to your advantage by forcing the auction to a higher level which shows two suits with a good hand.

Why did Meckwell come up with the Equal Level Conversion concept? Bridge is a "bidders game" especially for these two. Handling off shape takeout doubles allows them to enter the auction immediately where other players may pass due to not having the correct shape for a takeout double. This allows them to compete better or reach tight major suit games not reached by other pairs. Trapping is now better defined for them as they will now only trap with extreme values in the opponent's suit, not just because they do not have the classic shape for a takeout double. In my opinion, for places in Bridge like balancing, negative double theory and combating their pre-empts you just need Equal Level Conversion concepts!

Matchpoint players do not like this style of takeout doubles, as they prefer a double to show all 3 unbid suits for accuracy in partials. They also cling to the old fashioned notion of doubling with one suited hands. Doubling with one suited hands destroys Equal Level Conversion unless you are strong enough to up the level to game. Accuracy with partials is so very important in Matchpoints. IMP players realize getting to major suit games is their goal, so takeout doubles are defined as showing either two suits or 3 suits. If the takeout double is two suits, they must be both majors after a minor opener or the other major and a minor after a major opener. We add an additional requirement in that you must have quick tricks for a double as with soft values you would have chosen an overcall or toy instead.

Doubling first and converting to your own suit showed a good single suited hand in standard bidding in the past. As Kiz Fung says, good hands can take care of themselves. You can always jump cuebid with a good single suited hand, so use Equal Level Conversion as a scrambling bid. Far more useful and far more frequent. Equate doubles with defense (type of HCP’s), other bids with softer values.

The rank of suits enters the picture with Equal Level Conversion. With equal length suits you bid up the line. Say you had 5-4 in the majors with a decent hand. Partner doubles, so you cuebid showing the majors but partner bids the other minor instead. You now bid 3S so since you bypassed the lower ranking major, you must have 5 of them. This is a standard inference, if you do not bid up the line.

It goes 1H to your right and you hold SAJ10x Hxxx DAKxxx Cx

Do you overcall 2D and lose the spade suit when they jam in hearts? Do you overcall on your 4 card spade suit and lose your possible diamond contract? Meckwell recommend doubling and when partner bids 2C or 3C if pushed there competitively, make an Equal Level Conversion to diamonds. This does not show extra as you stayed at the same level. To show a single suited diamond rock you would have to go to another level. Of course with a strong two suited hand, you would have used a toy (weak or very strong).

This treatment allows Meckwell to solve the age old 6-4 problem of whether to overcall or make a takeout double. With diamonds you can always double with 6-4’s holding the other major because pulling partners club bid to diamonds is an Equal Level Conversion so does not show extra. With the club suit you are still forced to overcall clubs rather than double with your 6-4.

With 5-4 in the majors and a good 5 card suit it is always been better to overcall your 5 card suit even with defense rather than double. Not any more! Sometimes though this old overcall style jams you out of your heart/spade fit and might even miss game. Equal Level Conversion to the rescue.

SAJ10x HAKxxx Dxxx Cx

One diamond to your right, so you are normally forced to overcall a heart. Now you can double and pull 2C to 2H. Equal Level Conversion does not show extra so partner knows you have 5/4H and 4S with a minimum but two suits with defense measured in quick tricks. If you are that strong so you cannot overcall a heart, up the level after doubling to show your strong single suited hand. I would overcall with this hand if it were not so rich with defensive values. SKJ10x HKQJxx DQJ10 Cx is still a 1H overcall. When you are weaker, you need to hear from partner to make a spade game so overcalling is less risky. Get in the habit of showing the nature of your HCP’s (quick tricks) with a double. Equal Level Conversion helps with that HCP concept.

You overcall a spade with a minimum hand 5-4 holding both majors, so you hit partner with Sx HQxxxx Dxx CAxxxx who passes or passes a lot of similar hands in competitive auctions. You are jammed out of your 4H games simply by overcall the boss suit spades. Some hands you make +140 in hearts and –200 in spade contracts. This is just a matter of frequency of hands. It is far more frequent to hold these type of hands, than a hand too strong to make an overcall. You get fixed with these weaker type of hands more frequently.

The auction goes 1C, you have SA10xxx HQJxx DKx CAx so do you overcall or double? This is easy as the spade suit "buries" the heart suit more often than not. In addition, your spade suit is nothing to write home about. You also have defense with your 2½ quick tricks. Anyway if you do overcall, partner leaps to 3NT with SQ HK109x DQx CKQJ10xx so you lose 10 IMPS as +450 in hearts as opposed to –100 in 3NT with a diamond lead. A takeout double instead, you are in 4H after one cuebid.

Equal Level Conversion is handy in combating pre-empts.

I had a hand in my Masters Solvers Club where you held SQxx HAxx Dxxx CJxxx. The auction goes:

3D Dbl Pass ?

Most of the panel bid 3H and I gave the main reason for a 3 heart bid is that we play minimum level conversion. Partner has SAJxxx HKQx Dx CAKxx so as he converts at the same level, he is not showing any extra. Over the 3S bid partner bids 4S so a very nice +620 results.

Equal Level Conversion really shines when the opponents jam you at the 3 level.

1D Pass 3D Dbl

Sxx HKQx Dxxx CQxxxx.

Partner has SAKxx HAxxxx Dxx CAx for his double with you bidding 3H. This brings 4H and +620.

Change partner's hand to SAKxx HAxx Dx CK10xxx, he bids an equal (3 level) conversion to 3S. This shows spades and clubs with just a tolerance for hearts. You now leap to 5C so +600 results.

Say you held Sxx HKQxxx Dxxx CQxx on the same auction. You return to 4H so that makes. You only lose on auctions where 3H precisely makes but the doubler is allowed way more freedom, if he is allowed to convert at the 3 level as a grope for the best spot.

Equal Level Conversion is a must in the balancing chair especially against suicide weak twos. You bend over backwards to double in the balancing spot in order to catch them speeding. However, what if they escape, so you have to scramble to the best spot? Equal Level Conversion is scrambling. If you switch suits at the same level it is saying simply, I do not have that suit nor do I have extra. Equal Level Conversion is necessary playing negative double theory when your re-opening doubles are also off shape to catch speeders.

Kiz Fung brought up a good point playing Equal Level Conversion in the balancing spot. For the purpose of Equal Level Conversion any bid over NT at the higher level is considered "Equal Level" Conversion. The auction goes:

1H Pass Pass Dbl
Pass 1NT Pass ?

Any bid at the two level is to play, not showing extra. You jump or cuebid to show a good hand. You are just improving the 1NT partial after a balancing bid (scrambling). Kiz actually held SAJxxx HKx DKQx CAxx so a 2NT raise is warranted. Partner bids 3NT with SQx HJ987 DJx CKQJxx. There is no reason to try for a major suit game, as there may be danger of heart ruffs or a 10 trick game may be just too high. If partner has soft values in hearts as advertised HQ10xx or HQJxx you want to be in 3NT anyway.

Equal Level Conversion needs card showing doubles by partner or you can be a victim of their pre-emptive bidding. It goes 1H and you have SAKxx Hxxx DAQJ10x Cx so you make a takeout double. They bid 3H so you know partner has a singleton heart but did not make a double and it comes around to you. Passing would be a good idea as partner would bend over backwards to double playing an Equal Level Conversion style. Partner with a minor cannot assume that you have support for her so bidding a minor at the 4 level means that is responder’s suit.

You are non-vulnerable vs vulnerable and they open a minor. You have SKQJ10x HKQJ10x DQx Cx (14 HCPs) so do you make a non-vulnerable Michaels bid? Of course not as this is an intermediate hand not weak or strong. I overcall 1S and back in with hearts if I get a chance. Change the hand to SAKxxx HAKxxx Dxx Cx (14 HCPs) and I still cannot Michaels but this time I double with my 4 quick tricks and use jump conversion. Partner might double their minor for penalty so my hand will not disappoint her. With this hand SAKQxx HAKQxx Dxx Cx, I do Michaels and show the strong version.

Given our style of strong overcalls, toys either weak or strong and frequent doubles to get in there after their pre-empts or balance, Minimum Equal Level or Jump Conversions make sense to the coach.

Equal Level Conversion (levels)

In my mind, an overcall shows a one suited hand especially at the two level and higher. You have a multitude of toys to show all kinds of two suiters, of course 3 suiters are handled by a takeout double. Overcalls should be defined as showing a one suited hand. Rules are made to be broken so with the wrong combination of suits, you can overcall at the one level with two suits. Normally done though, when you do not have too much defense. If they open a minor, a double shows at least both majors. If they opened a major, a double shows at least the unbid major and other suit (s). Equal Level Conversion handles the non shape takeout doubles. Bring back the takeout double as opposed to the ambiguous overcall which hides 2nd suits.

Say you had this hand SKJxxx Hxx DAx CAKxx, they open 1D.

You have two suits but a 1S overcall is just a better bid than a takeout double at the one level. What if they open 3D?

I would now choose a double as it is more flexible and I have Equal Level Conversion to protect me. If partner bids 3H, I will bid 3S. Since we are at the same level, it does not show extra but shows spades and clubs. This sequence gives partner an option to bid 3NT with a little extra. Overcalling 3S could be a disaster resulting in a huge set or partner might pass 3S with Sx HAxxx Dxx CQxxxxx and other hands where 5C makes but 3S goes down.

Bidding 5 card suits at the 3 level and passing should not be an option with this hand. Partner might even convert your double for penalty! Still another advantage a double has over an overcall! An overcall with a 5 card suit at the 3 level is so final and does not describe your true hand.

What about even higher levels where the opponents have pre-empted?. Here is where I feel an overcall must show a one suited hand. The pre-empt has done its dirty work so you cannot have shape takeout doubles all the time. Equal Level Conversion goes hand in hand with pre-emptive auctions from the two level up to the four level. Double with defense with two suits, allow Equal Level Conversion to sort things out. You bring penalty conversion into the picture and bring your 2nd suit out of the closet.

Here is Tom Gandolfo in action tonight. SKJxxx HAKJ DAx CAKx, RHO opens 3D non-vulnerable vs vulnerable. A double is obvious so partner bids 3H. Bidding 4H is a mild underbid so it would be nice to have the 4th heart for a 4D slam try. A cuebid must imply a fit and be a slam try on these auctions. A double followed by 3NT would show the rock but not just a single stopper normally. You do not have a perfect bid so I would try 3NT. At least I have shown my balanced hand in the 2NT HCP range.

One bid you cannot make is 3S as that is Equal Level Conversion so is not forcing. The old fashioned notion of doubling and bidding a suit to show a rock is extinct playing Equal Level Conversion at any level. As Kiz Fung says big hands can take care of themselves? With Toms hand, he had many options to show a moose so he does not need the 3S bid as strong. It is all the intermediate two suiters and 5-4 that need help with Equal Level Conversion.

Equal Level Conversion is not level dependent. The approach just means Equal level, not low level. Some cuebids rather than doubles are Equal Level Conversion. You cuebid, partner chooses a suit and you convert at the same level. This means you have that suit and one higher. You do not have partner's suit. No more ambiguity.

Equal Level Conversion (Clubs)

In the game of Bridge, clubs are the lowest ranking suit in the deck. The club suit is also "lower ranking" In other ways. The club suit has a very inferior status with respect to takeout doubles. The Meckwell partnership came up with something they call "Equal Level Conversion". This concept allows them to make off shape takeout doubles and balances. If partner bids a suit they do not have they convert to another suit. As long as it is kept at the same level, the sequence does not show any extra values. This has been a standard way of showing two suits after a takeout double or even a cuebid in the game of Bridge.

Bridge World Standard 2001 does not play "Equal Level Conversion". They say they make an exception though with the lowly club suit. This is because it is easy to make an Equal Level Conversion over the lowest ranking suit. It goes 1H to your right and you have SAKxx Hxx DAJxxxx Cx do you overcall 2D or double? The Bridge World recommends you double because if the auction takes off after you overcall 2D you may lose the spade suit. Even with SAKxx Hxx DAJxxx Cxx they recommend a direct or balancing double after a heart opening bid. In other words a takeout double does not necessarily promise clubs!

It goes 1D on your right and you have SAJxxx HAKxx Dxxx Cx, do you overcall a spade or make a takeout double? Let’s say you overcall spades as you can’t make a takeout double as you do not have clubs. Partner has Sx HQxxxx Dxx CAxxxx or countless other hands that he cannot respond to a spade overcall. You notice that 4H has a shot for 5 and +650. To add to the ignominy 1S cannot make! You do not play forcing 1NT to an overcall. 1NT to an overcall is a descriptive bid showing a balanced 8-10 HCP with a stopper in their suit. The Bridge World and Meckwell suggest that competing in clubs is not worth the risk of missing a major suit game in IMPS. They suggest a direct double so if partner bids clubs pull to your lower ranking suit at the same level.

If after you make this conversion with partner bidding clubs again, he may have KJ109xxx of clubs so let him play it your 7-1 fit. After takeout doubles it is buyer beware as far as the club suit is concerned. You have to be careful with sacrifices and competing with the club suit as partner may be lacking that suit after a double.

Take this auction:

1D Pass 3D ?

With SAJxx HAKxxx DAxx Cx. You should double rather than bid 3H directly as with a singleton heart and partner with enough spades to make a spade game will pass 3H with say SKxxxx Hx DKxx Cxxxx. Note 6S has a shot for +1430 and you may be playing 3H going down!

Say you double and partner does bid 4C. You make an Equal Level Conversion to 4H and partner with SKxxx Hx Dxx CQJ1098x will convert to 4S. Partner could have SAxx HAxxx Dx CAKxxx for his double so its silly not to bid your nice club suit rather than spades initially. Equal Level Conversion means just that. It does not matter at what level the auction is as long as it is equal, converting to another suit shows no additional values.

The Bridge World suggests leaving Equal Level Conversion to the experts like Meckwell except when the lowly club suit is involved. So be very careful when you have clubs opposite a takeout double. You may be on your own.

You hold SAx Hxxx DAx CJxxxxx and everybody vulnerable it goes:

1D Dbl 1S ?

Partner may have clubs for his double so you bid 3C invitational. If he converts to hearts you are not unhappy so you have described your hand. Say you just bid 2C and they compete to diamonds. You can now double saying you would like to compete to 3C but you have defense and are maximum for your previous call.

Experts who play Equal Level Conversion have no respect for the diamond suit also. It goes 1C and you hold SAKxx HAKxx Dx Cxxxx or SAKxx HAKxx Dxx Cxxx. Both hands are handled with a double. If partner responds a diamond just convert to a heart at the same level. Same in the balancing spot. When your goal is to get to major suit games in IMPS, competing in a minor is sacrificed.

Re-opening doubles and balancing doubles are not takeout doubles per se. These doubles are just showing defensive tricks so that partner can convert for penalty if she has their suit. Equal Level Conversion is a scramble in these auctions to find a fit. Again conversion does not show extra values. That is absurd and would prevent off shape re-opening doubles or balances.

A Tormentee had this hand Sxxx HAKxx DAK109x Cx non-vulnerable and RHO opened 1S vulnerable. What is your bid?

Well if you have bought into the above you make a takeout double and convert to diamonds if partner bids clubs. Partner overcalled 2D, they bid 2S and around to her again. Now D.S.I.P. doubles come into play. You now double because you have 4 defensive tricks for your mere overcall. If partner bids hearts fine but if partner bids clubs, you convert to diamonds so no harm done.

Tom Gandolfo held SJ10xxxx Hx Dx CAJxxx, they opened 1S and I doubled. Tom has a nice playing hand if I have a classic takeout double so he bid 2C. I made an Equal Level Conversion to 2D so now what? I may have 10 or 11 red cards but no clubs so a pass is in order as this is a blatant misfit. 2D is not doubled yet so it’s best to bail. If 2D gets doubled. You can actually try 2S to play. Partner held SA HA10xx DA10xxxx Cxx which would have been a 2D overcall for non believers of Equal Level Conversion.

Equal Level Conversion (Pre-empts)

Advocates of Equal Level Conversion know that the concept is quite common at the 2 level after a takeout double or after a balancing double. Takeout doubles without clubs or diamonds are very common among IMP players at any level. You in effect scramble to your best spot at an equal level.

What is not so obvious is Equal Level Conversion is applicable after pre-empts at the 2, 3 and even 4 level. Pre-empts put pressure on you. You cannot always have the classic takeout double when they make a pre-empt. Equal Level Conversion is an excellent example of the games before slams concept. You should not interpret a new suit bid at the same level as a cuebid. You have not even found a spot for your game yet alone think of a slam. If slam is in the cards, there will be clarifying bidding later in the auction. Your initial interpretation of partner's bid should be that it is a suit. She does not have your suit.

Does Equal Level Conversion mean we have a two suiter in the traditional sense? No it does not, as you could even be 4-4. This artificial looking hand actually occurred in a Bermuda Bowl. SKJ10x HAJ DAQJx Cxxx opposite SAQxx HKQ DKxxx Cxxx. You are vulnerable, they are not with a 3C opener to your right. This vulnerability, it is not advisable to trap. You do not have wasted values in clubs so trapping should be out of the question. You manufacture a bid so you double. If partner bids 3H, you convert to 3S at the same level. Partner should read you for spades and diamonds with enough values to be at the 3 level. On the actual hands, you find your 4-4 spade fit with no problem.

Soloway and Goldman do not play Equal Level Conversion so Soloway was reluctant to double. He manufactured a 3D overcall, Goldman leapt to 5D down one so 12 IMPS out of the window. Which is the best lie? A takeout double or overcalling at the 3 level on a 4 card suit? In the days of Equal Level Conversion, get to your game before thinking of slam. Pre-empts were designed to make things rough on you.

Two hands in Calgary recently show the Equal Level Conversion assisting us with the opponents pre-empts.

The opponents open 2S vulnerable and RHO bids 4S. Kiz Fung held SQ HQJ109 DKQ109xx CAx and was not vulnerable. There are two bids that come to mind when you hold two suits. She could bid 4NT and if partner bids clubs convert to diamonds so partner knows the 2nd suit is hearts. However, the best bid giving the most options is the double. Your hand has defense with your 14 HCP so if the vulnerable opponents are out of line, partner can convert for penalty with J9xx of spades or the like. If partner bids clubs, you make an Equal Level Conversion at the 5 level and bid 5D. On this hand partner bids 5H which goes for -50 and 4S goes one down. Your partners are +170 however so there is a 14 IMP swing in these cards if you bid 5D single handedly and go for -500.

My partner had a hand in Calgary where partner Equal Level Conversion takes place at the 6 level! In 3rd seat vulnerable the opponents open 3C. My partner decided not to enter the fray with SAJ HKJ10x DQJxxxxx Cvoid. They bid 4C and partner backed in with a double. You play an Equal Level Conversion style so partner may just have the majors. I held SQ10xx HA9876x DA Cxx. Playing the Equal Level Conversion method of takeout doubles, partner cannot leap to 6D as I may not even hold diamonds. Instead, partner leaps to 6C! The Equal Level Conversion takes place at the rarefied 6 level as I must bid my lower ranking suit! I bid 6H and all pass making 7H.

Equal Level Conversion (Balancing)

Equal Level Conversion is a must in the balancing chair and playing negative doubles. Especially against suicide weak twos, you bend over backwards to double in the balancing spot with defense measured in quick tricks in order to catch them speeding. However, what if they escape, you have to scramble to the best spot. Equal Level Conversion is in effect scrambling to your best fit. If you switch suits at the same level, it is saying simply, I do not have your suit nor do I have extra. Equal Level Conversion is necessary playing negative double theory when your re-opening doubles are also off shape to catch speeders.

I had a hand with Tom in Pentiction, SJx HAQxx DAJ9xx Cxx and LHO opened 2S so around to you in the balancing seat. You double, so partner bids 3C which is alerted as constructive. I passed and we went two down vulnerable in our 4-2 club fit cold for 130 in diamonds. 330 is a lot of IMPS to waste. Minimum equal level conversion to the rescue, so you bid 3D. What if you did have a diamond rock in the balancing spot? Say SJx HAQxx DAKQ10xx Cx with the auction going the same way. You can always bid 3S to ask him to bid 3NT after your double and if he does not, bidding diamonds at the 4 level will now show this hand. Good hands take care of themselves.

A tormentee and I held the same hand Thursday night. SQ10xxxx HK1098 DAJ Cx. LHO at both tables opened 1D vulnerable which was passed around to the balancing seat. You have enough defense to protect partner's diamond trap if there is one, so you double. Partner makes the obvious bid of 2NT with her 14 HCP. Bidding is based on probabilities, so you bid in accordance with the average hand partner could hold for a double, not the worst hand. The cut off point for a double in the balancing chair is 10 HCP with suitable quick tricks. The Tormentee passed 2NT and a baby 4S game was missed. Partner will not hang you for balancing, so 1NT can be even up to a bad 11 HCP. A 2NT bid is nearing a 1NT overcall range. Once partner bids 2NT, simply bid 4S as partner is showing at least 2 spades with a very good hand behind the opening bidder.

With re-opening doubles (negative double theory) and balancing doubles, double to show your defensive quick tricks not your shape. Your primary objective is to protect partner’s penalty double or trap of their suit. The double is not a takeout double per se so unbid suits is not a criteria. Quick tricks are though. Since you are off shape, you need a way to "scramble" if the opponents have a fit. Enter Equal Level Conversion. Do not rescue the opponents in these auctions by bidding anything other than a double when you hold quick tricks. You are not on their side so protect partner’s trap pass.

Equal Level Conversion (spades)

There is not too much literature on minimum Equal Level Conversion since it is a Meckwell invention. They are quite secretive about their stuff and purportedly charge $100,000.00 for their system notes. Equal Level Conversion is based on the fact that you almost never double with a single suited hand. This means if you do double and bid a suit, Equal Level Conversion applies (you have another suit). The spade suit being the boss suit is usually thrown out with Equal Level Conversion as obviously you must have a lower ranking suit to show first. Equal Level Conversion is playing with the rank of suits and suit combinations. There is also one other basic rule with Equal Level Conversion. When they open a minor, a double shows both majors. You may not have the unbid minor, but you can take the major support to the bank with minimum doubles.

You hold SAKJxx Hx DAK10xx Cxx and they open 1H. This is not a spade overcall for a number of reasons. An overcall usually shows a single suited hand or a two suiter without defense. This is a two suiter with 4 quick tricks! This hand is not powerful enough for the strong Micheals (close). I double and convert clubs to diamonds at the next level so partner knows I have spades and diamonds with defense. What if they open 1C? I would break the rule of having both majors to double a minor and double anyway. Why break the rule? The answer is because we can with a strong hand with the boss suit and no ambiguity can take place. Since they opened 1C and if partner bids hearts, a spade bid must show the other two suits. Due to the playing and overall strength of this hand with the boss suit, you can break rules. Do not try it though with 5-4 or 4-4 minimums in these two suits though. This sequence must show a strong two suiter. Rules can be broken when you have the hand for it. This is a good hand to double playing the minimum Equal Level Conversion style as partner will not play you for a one suited hand as per standard. Do not forget that Equal Level Conversion was invented for minimum defensive hands as strong hands can take care of themselves by breaking rules. Even standard players would double with this hand as it is too strong just to make an overcall.

Two suits that are very difficult to show in competitive bidding are clubs and spades. They open a heart so what do you bid with SAKJx HAx Dxx CJ10xxx? I usually overcall 1S since overcalling 2C seems ludicrous to me. However, why not double instead and pull 2D to two spades and have a canape understanding that spades are always shorter than clubs on this sequence. This way, you describe your defensive hand with the other major. If they open 1D, I will still overcall 1S as a double must have both majors.

OK, let's get back to the fix hands. They open a major and you have defense with 4 of the other major and 6 of a minor. With diamonds, Equal Level Conversion is easy as you double and pull clubs to diamonds.

They open 1H and you have SAKJx Hxx Dx CAxxxxx so we are forced to overcall 2C as Equal Level Conversion does not apply with the club suit. Yes, but it does if you have the understanding that spades are always shorter than clubs canape style. If you have an offensive hand with spades and clubs with a 1H opener SKQ10x HKx Dx CKJ1098x just overcall 2C like most people will do.

The idea behind doubling with the unbid major and Equal Level Conversion theory in general is not missing your major games by burying a major suit with an overcall. I propose a canape style with Equal Level Conversion with clubs and spades. Seems workable to me as we use clubs as a bailout when we do not have a fit for the unbid major.