Overcalls of 1NT Trash (TRAnsfer or SHape) allows you to describe all one or two suited hands usually at the two level, to allow either partner to show extra strength, and retains a penalty double by either partner. Trash can also be played after 2NT, over either strong or weak no-trumps.

After 1NT:

double - for penalty

2C - transfer to diamonds, or 10 cards in hearts and spades

2D - transfer to hearts, or 10 cards in spades and clubs

2H - transfer to spades, or 10 cards in clubs and diamonds

2NT - transfer to clubs, or 10 cards in diamonds and hearts

After advancer (the over-caller's partner) accepts the transfer:

pass - weak one-suited hand

next suit - weak two-suited hand

raise - invitational one-suited hand

jump shift - invitational two-suited hand (Note: no hand should be too weak; this is an overcall after all!)

2S - 10 cards in clubs and hearts, or 10 cards in diamonds and spades

Advancer bids 2NT to find out which hand;

With the round suits (clubs and hearts) you will re-bid 3C.

With the pointy suits (diamonds and spades) you will re-bid 3D.

With very strong hands you can make the Trash bid one level higher. Or if advancer is very strong he can accept the transfer by bidding one level higher, or by refusing to accept the transfer (e.g., 1NT - 2C - P - 2H or 2S or 2NT or 3C).

If you find requiring 10 cards for the shape bid is too restrictive, you can agree instead that a shape bid shows at least 9 cards in the two suits. I like Trash because the regular structure reduces memory lapses, because both partners can penalty double, because I can show any one or two suited hand, and because both over-caller and advancer can show different strength ranges. Besides, it's fun to be able to claim "We play Trash overcalls!"