[Apollo81]

1. Describe the 4♠ bid in non-competitive 1♥-1♠-2♦-3♣-3N-4♠

2. What is the worst 1543 opener that would not pass here

[FrancesHinden]

1a. What would a 3S bid over 2D mean?
1b. What would a 2S bid over 1H mean?

[jdonn]

1. Almost any game force that wanted to play in spades, because 4♠ over 2♦ would specifically show a very good suit.
2. I would say a 16-18 count would need very good controls to keep bidding, and a spade honor would be a huge contribution (the singleton jack of spades I would give about the value of a king in another suit).

Yes the above answers would lead to a number of missed slams. This auction that bids 3♣ 4SF has always been a big weakness of standard-type systems. There are a number of workarounds that help of course.

[han]

Shows a better hand than a direct 4S. I don't agree with Josh that the suit quality is different.

Agree that opener would bid again with a nice looking 16-count, certainly not with less. Yes, partner showed slam interest but when he decided to do so he didn't know about our short spades.