[cargobeep]

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[akwoo]

Almost forcing. This is an invitation to game in spades based on the existence of a possible double fit in diamonds. I suppose it can be passed with an absolute minimum with only 3 spades.

EDIT: I take that back; mike777 has a good point. Well, I might gamble and pass the bid with an absolute dreck, but I'd think of that as passing a forcing bid against agreements.

[mike777]

I dare not pass, 3d may be the start of a slam auction, not just a game try.

[mgoetze]

Well, I doubt a beginner partner would dare try 3♦ if he had a slam try. Therefore I support akwoo's original answer.

[Endymion77]

It's forcing to 3♠, you can never pass it. You treat it as a game try for now (partner's looking if you can cover diamond losers) until clarified later.

[Vampyr]

You may find it useful to have a blanket agreement that all auctions of the form ABBA are forcing.

[mcphee]

I find it difficult to see the black suit symbols. If the auction was a major suit raise from opening hand 3D is 100% Forcing.

[Zelandakh]

While the suggested rule that all ABBA auctions should be forcing is a good one, there is a difference between auctions where A is a minor and where A is a major. If A is a minor then the sequence should always be forcing. If A is a major then you can agree for it to be forcing too but the default in many systems is not-forcing (showing a 3 card limit raise with a good side suit). Of course, many systems have 1M - 2m; 3m show extras, and in that case the default there is obviously forcing too.