[Bbradley62]

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I'm not familiar with the "impossible spade", so what would East bidding 3♣ over 2♣ have shown? What would West bidding 2N over 2♠ have shown?

[semeai]

Bbradley62, on 2011-September-21, 22:26, said:

I'm not familiar with the "impossible spade", so what would East bidding 3♣ over 2♣ have shown?

Not as good a hand. I'd say both 2♠ and 3♣ usually have at least 5 clubs.

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What would West bidding 2N over 2♠ have shown?

I'd say an offer to play there, but I could imagine someone playing it as forcing. I guess GiB decided clubs were agreed and so 3♣ was the bid for bad hands?

[barmar]

Impossible spade is used when the auction starts 1♥-1NT-2minor. Responder has denied a spade suit with his 1NT bid, so this is a conventional way to show a better hand than 3♣, which is simply competitive.

Looks like you got to the right spot. 3♣ is cold (with an overtrick because either finesse works) while 2NT is down as long as you and the bot hold up your minor aces.