[blackshoe]

There is no reason 2NT after 1x-2y can't show 12-14 or 18-19, because 2NT is forcing to game. If it goes 1x-1y-2NT-3NT, 4NT by opener would now show the 18-19. In the auction 1x-(1y)-2z, the 2z is not (as I understand 2/1) forcing to game, because it shows a minimum of 10 points. So 2NT by opener at this point is not forcing. If 2NT is not forcing, then it cannot contain 18-19 HCP. Thus 3NT is needed to show that hand. In the uncontested auction, 3NT is not needed for that purpose, so 3NT should show some other hand type, presumably one based on a long suit. So I would agree that the jump to 3NT in competition shows a balanced 18-19, but not in an uncontested auction. IAC I see now that my assumption at the table was wrong - partner must have a balanced 12-14 if she bid 2NT after the auction starts 1x-(1y)-2z-(P), and a balanced 18-19 if she bids 3NT. Since she actually had the latter hand, either she really did bid 3NT, or she clearly misbid. So perhaps my memory is faulty and she didn't bid 2NT.

[aguahombre]

blackshoe, on 2011-May-14, 09:45, said:

In the uncontested auction, 3NT is not needed for that purpose, so 3NT should show some other hand type, presumably one based on a long suit.

There are other considerations, based on what our other agreements are, in deciding whether the Jump to 3NT after an uncontested 2/1 is "needed" with 18-19, or needed with certain 18-19's.

One might be that if the opening was 1M, the 3NT rebid is used to show the exact size and shape immediately (the two-card holding is in pard's response suit). Thus, 2NT raised to 3NT and followed by 4y would have allowed responder a helpful 3-level rebid, still showing the 18-19 range but with 3-card support for y. And 1M-2Y-2N-3N-4N! Could be based on some other pattern we decide and 18-19.

In the Auction:
1D-2C
2NT...2NT can be 12-14 or 18-19, but always 4-4-3-2. So, the jump to 3NT would show 3-3-5-2 with 18-19.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

blackshoe, on 2011-May-05, 11:24, said:

---

Agree with the bidding so far? How should the bidding go from here, assuming EW are both passing from now on?

South
1C - ( 1S ) - 2D = 5+cards, 10+ hcp forcing 1 Rnd
??
... 2NT = 12-14... which can be passed
... 3NT = 15-17 w/Sp-stop(s)
... 2S! = only way to force w/strong hand, not necessarily Diam support

Soooo after:
2S! - 3D ( I don't think this guarantees 6 cards )
3S! ( now this should be an Advance cue for Diam as trump )

3S! - 4H ( Ctrl cue, denying Cl Ctrl )
4NT ( RKC for Diam ) - 5S ( 2 + dQ )
6D

[tolvyrj]

So u have no way of showing bal. 18-19 count hand? What is u 1Nt opening range?