Posted 2023-October-25, 09:27
I have no issue on overcalls. I play what partner wants, and play what the experts around me play if I get a preference.
Landy (not Multi-Landy) has two problems; one theoretical, and one practical. Mike has pointed out the theoretical; you get a lot of two-suiters, and not being able to disturb their NT with them is more often than not a bad thing. When the auction starts 1NT and is not contested, they will get to the right contract; and the information the contesting gives the opponents also goes to partner, who might just be on lead (not as often in strong NT-land, but still).
The practical one was pointed out by Anderson way back in his Lebensohl pamphlet - still an amazing book, and the best introductory reference to the convention out there. Because there's only one artificial call, because everything else is natural, the people who play it frequently forget and bid 2♣ with - a 6 card club suit. Probably less frequently now than before (nobody's teaching Landy to the new players, and the old die-hards are...; so those that do play it are doing so for a reason, and that minimizes the forgets), but Anderson suggests playing systems on over the Landy 2♣ (showing both majors! Double is Stayman!) and I don't think it's wrong.
Is X an awful convention over NT? Yes. Is there a great convention over NT? No; they're ahead when they open it, no matter what you do. Should you be determining your style of overcalls based on the convention you're playing? Absolutely. But is there enough of a reason not to play a particular defence, just because it's bad? No - not if the alternative is "partner forgets your new defence".(*)
And AL, I also played Brozel (with one partner), even over weak NTs. We agreed that the double was not only a one-suiter, but a good one-suiter, probably playable for 1 loser opposite Hx. And with some outside potential entries, at least against the weak NT. Sure, you don't get the power double any more - and I recommend it, not for the 1NTx-2 you're dreaming of, but to know "balance of strength" when they run - but the number of times 4th seat can pass the "I have 4-5 tricks, partner" double is right up there with the number of times 4th seat can pass the "I have a strong NT, partner" double. Different hands, to be sure, but not enough less that it's a bad strategy, just matchpoint swingy.
(*) Mea culpa here. I play HELLO with one partner (and over 1NT overcalls as well). It's enough similar to (Alberta modified) Cappelletti that I'm comfortable, but enough different that I forget sometimes. It's one of the three things on my "remind myself every session beforehand" list.
When I go to sea, don't fear for me, Fear For The Storm -- Birdie and the Swansong (tSCoSI)