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mikeh, on Jul 31 2007, 11:27 AM, said:
As it is, responder's 3♦ over my 3♣, sets trump. I do not think it is merely a preference, altho there can be hands on which he is stuck: some 3=5=2=3 with no spade stopper and Hx diamonds.
I have posted this before. It is superior IMO for responder's 4SF then rebid the 4th suit to say responder has no other bid, on this auction prototypically 4522 with no spade stopper, but 3523 is possible if responder doesn't want to bypass 3NT (or if the 4♣ bid could be on 2254). It is so important that responder doesn't take vague preferences after 4SF, but instead just either sets trumps or rebids his own suit.
Though I understand your point about 3♠, I can't believe someone could bid their Qxxxx Jxxxx three times and then still not bid notrump with AKx in the last suit. Even given playing 3♠ as you suggest, our hand is so minimum and bad for slam, and so impossible for partner to evaluate given how many terrible suits we have bid, that putting on the breaks really seems right.