Posted 2011-December-01, 17:19
I think you came close to answering your own questions by your comments.
1. The meta rule about bidding the stopper you hold doesn't apply when, as here, the cue-bidder hasn't really begun to describe his hand. 3♥ is needed as a generic force. Consider Ax xx AKxxx AKQx....we can't bid 3♠...that would be natural in any logical method (else you invite the opps to rob you blind).
2. Since 3♥ announces a non-specific big hand, it behooves S to 'do something intelligent'
It is arguable that such might include showing a 4 card spade suit along the way, but (given that 2♦ showed some, albeit modest, values), the frequency with which one would have this hand is minimal. One might well double 1♠ with 4=5 pointed and 6+ hcp, intending, if possible and necessary, to show diamonds later. Otoh, in this auction, when partner is jammed, we need to be able to find the 9 trick game. Partner may have other ideas, but, if so, he can always clarify....our first duty is to help him. Using 3♠ to show values, rather than a suit, seems to me to be more plausible....with a spade card and diamonds, we have to bid diamonds over 1♠. With a spade suit, diamonds and values, we could have doubled 1♠. Therefore the former is more consistent with the auction than the latter interpretation.
As an aside, the notion of N blasting 3N makes me feel ill. The double implied spades, the 3N would guarantee something in the suit....admittedly the auction suggests partner has a card or two in the majors, but he still doesn't need to stop spades and, more importantly, we can ask him via 3♥.
'one of the great markers of the advance of human kindness is the howls you will hear from the Men of God' Johann Hari
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