How to bid this correctly?

Bernard's Answer

South will open 1D and West is so strong she should start with a double planning to rebid spades. 1D – X – P – 2C – P – 2S – P – 3C… West has 19 hcp, which is too strong for a simple overcall – East is simply going to bid clubs each time she is asked. In response to the double and later over partner’s strong 2S rebid. Note, that if you make a take-out double and then rebid your own suit, you are showing very strong hand. You will notice that there are three dots at the end of the auction above and this is because West might be tempted to try for game, bidding 3D asking for a diamond stopper over which East can bid 3NT. However the defenders should manage o defeat 3NT comfortably, by leading DA and then switching to hearts – taking the first 6 tricks. NS might also compete in diamonds, which makes judgement very difficult – if NS bid up to 3D, they just go one off, but EW can make 4C. I think the key for West to remember in the auction is when East bids in response to the double and later after 2S, East is not showing much strength – a response to a double shows 0 points and the subsequent 3C bid just suggests length in clubs.