[JonnyQuest]

In the following sequence:

1♥ - 1♠
1NT - 2♣
2NT - 3♠

Assuming a Standard American or 2/1 system, using NMF.
1. 1NT = 12-14
2. 2NT = denies 3 card ♠ support (so presumably 2=5=3=3), and denies Max of 14 HCP

What is 3♠?

[Vampyr]

JonnyQuest, on 2013-May-04, 15:53, said:

What is 3♠?

Forcing with spades; quite possibly 6.

Why do you choose to get to 2NT or higher when opener does not have a maximum?

[aguahombre]

Responder didn't bid 2S, 3S, or 4S. He bid nmf, and then set trump anyway. That, by logic, is slammish. Reconsider 2NT not showing a max good 13 or 14.

[Siegmund]

You have posited what I feel is an unusual meaning for 2NT - I would expect this call to promise a maximum, not deny one, as opener could have bid 2D or 2H and left the door open to stopping in 2S.

[Codo]

slammish in spades of course.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Siegmund, on 2013-May-04, 17:05, said:

You have posited what I feel is an unusual meaning for 2NT ....

EDIT: I deleted my jibberish. I agree with the others, that Opener's 1NT rebid already denies 4 cards in either minor.

[Zelandakh]

A simple way of playing NMF is that going via the relay shows a hand stronger than the equivalent direct sequence. For bidding spade one-suiters after 1♥ - 1♠; 1NT, we have 2♠ to show a sign off, 3♠ for an invite and therefore bidding 2♣ followed by 3♠ must be game forcing, and in addition slam interest since we did not bid 4♠. As others have said, consider using 2♦ over 2♣ to show a minimum without 3 spades.

[aguahombre]

Zelandakh, on 2013-May-06, 02:56, said:

As others have said, consider using 2♦ over 2♣ to show a minimum without 3 spades.

Opener's distribution will be known at this point (2-5-3-3). So, we can actually use either 2D or 2H with the 11-12 point hands... 2D with a diamond stop, and 2H without for instance. Now responder can end the auction in 2H, 2S, or 2N based on positional considerations.