Posted 2016-March-01, 12:40
I prefer to open 1D. First of all, it allows a 2C rebid if you don't like rebidding 1NT with 4441 hands or a stop in the enemy suit. The other reason is somewhat subtle. If you play 2-way checkback, then take the auction 1D-1S-1NT-2D. You can play that 2NT shows 2344 and 3C shows 2353 allowing easier suit agreement in the minors (being able to agree an unbid 3 card minor is less important than being able to agree a shown 5 card minor). Meanwhile if you opened 1C and had the auction 1C-1S-1NT-2D, you won't be able to show both 2344 and 2335 while allowing responder to be able to bid 3C to agree clubs in both cases, so I would play that 2NT is 2335.
Wayne Somerville