[jocdelevat]

south open 3H west bid 3S north pass east 4H.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi

2).

2) shows a stronger raise than
a direct raise.
Most likely the cue shows even
a control, most likely shortage.

Responding to the overcall in a new
suit on the 4 level is certainly natural
and forcing, although a possible fit
may be temp. concealed.
I.e. one does not need a generic force.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Impact]

Of all auctions, the one you cite is the easiest for relatively high level agreement because:-

4minor logically MUST be forcing (even by people who might play nf new suits in lower auctions it would make no sense in terms of utility to bid 4m nf to stop precisely at 4m compared with all other possibilities....)

This cue-bid is a cheap bid below game to indicate higher ambitions in S if co-operative.

Whatever you think of new suit forcing responses to overcalls generally, when the opponents have pre-empted (and I include ferts in the general form of pre-empts) and partner makes an overcall, it is logical to use new suit forcing as the expectation of the strength of advancer's hand has been increased (by the difference between a pre-empt and at least a minimum opening bid).

Better still to utilise transfer advances commencing with the cue bid....

regards

[mr1303]

Yeah, I would bid 4H as well there.

Note it doesn't show a heart control though, just a slam try.

[neilkaz]

The Q bid at this level of the preempted suit shows a strong hand with spade support that is too strong to sign off in 4S but too weak to go probing for a spade slam opposite a minimum 3S overcall.

I'm sure sophisticated and practiced partnerships may have much more sophisticated methods.

But the general meaning of 4H is spade support and slam hopes, and it doesn't guarantee a H control, at least how I play it.