[wyman]

What's opener got in each case?

1D (P) 1H (2S)
3N

1D (P) 1H (2S)
2N

[rogerclee]

1) I got some diamonds, yo

2) I got some points, yo

[ahydra]

NB: I play a weak NT

1) max opener, spade stop, doesn't have four hearts. UNBAL, but anything from 1282 to 3055.
2) (15)16-19 BAL, spade stop, doesn't have four hearts

ahydra

[PhilKing]

2NT is not natural for me.

[wyman]

So for you, Clee, over 3N, 4C is a diamond Q?

[rogerclee]

Yes in theory but if I had never discussed it (which to be honest I have not), then I would just bid 4D and expect my partner to understand that I may or may not have a club control.

To be clear, the second shows 18-19 balanced (or a hand you are choosing to treat that way) to me with a spade stopper. There are a lot of problem hands that I would choose to bid 2N with due to having no suitable alternative, so perhaps a better description is "invitational to a 3N game".

You can play whatever agreements you like, but to the best of my knowledge this is very standard among American experts playing a 2/1 style.

[Zelandakh]

wyman, on 2013-April-24, 08:47, said:

So for you, Clee, over 3N, 4C is a diamond Q?

One option:
4♣ asks for cue bids with 4♦ being a club cue.
4♦ is a slam try or better with the focus on key cards.

[billw55]

rogerclee, on 2013-April-24, 07:53, said:

1) I got some diamonds, yo

I would have thought balanced 18-19. How will you bid with ♠KT8x ♥Ax ♦KQJx ♣AJx? 2NT for this?

[rogerclee]

billw55, on 2013-April-24, 09:47, said:

I would have thought balanced 18-19. How will you bid with ♠KT8x ♥Ax ♦KQJx ♣AJx? 2NT for this?

Yes this is a routine 2N bid to me.

[Phil]

Some switch double and 2N in the 2nd auction.

[wyman]

Phil, on 2013-April-24, 12:14, said:

Some switch double and 2N in the 2nd auction.

Wow, that seems far superior.

[aguahombre]

Phil, on 2013-April-24, 12:14, said:

Some switch double and 2N in the 2nd auction.

I think the switch allows defending 2SX more often when it is right, but our double to show the same equivalent to 18-19, but with doubt about spades stopped allows a NT contract declared by partner.

In the first auction, 3N shows the same hand it would have shown if righty had passed...short hearts, long strong diamonds, and prime stops in each black suit. 4C would be a desire to play in 4C.

[PhilKing]

Double is 18-20 balanced for me. 2NT = 6+ diamonds inv+, 3♦ = competitive. Wrong-siding is an issue, but worth it imo. All balanced 18-20s open 1♦ so something has to give.