[bgm]

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We are playing natural 2/1 and want to try the Rubensohl. GIB interfered with a 2♠ WJO.

We have agreed that the 3 level bids are transfer, so the bid 3x-1 showing 5+x, competitive or FG.
2NT are puppet to 3♣, either 5+♣ FG or INV in other suit (5+ if new suit).

So the typical bidding of S hand should be transfer to ♥ and bidding 3NT for the choice of game (if not trying slam).

Given N hand is such a powerful hand and want to FG against a competitive case (typically ♥AQJxxx and out),
N try a move with 3♠ and we subsequently messed up the auction, not reaching the grand properly.

I would like to hear
- your favourable method handling this
- any suggestions/comments on our agreement.

Thanks.

[helene_t]

Your agreements look good.

After North's 3♠, maybe S can try 5NT (pick a slam) and then raise 6♣ to 7.

But it's always easier with open cards

[dokoko]

I prefer to play inv+ transfers. That way a strong opener usually knows when to investigate slam.

Playing your methods IMO North has an obvious 4♣ rebid. This is forcing because opener has to accept the transfer with any weak hand.

helene_t, on 2018-July-30, 22:43, said:

Your agreements look good.

After North's 3♠, maybe S can try 5NT (pick a slam) and then raise 6♣ to 7.

But it's always easier with open cards

I would take 3♠ as either stopper ask or ♥ support as North should bid naturally with a strong unbalanced hand.

[bgm]

Thanks for the comments. Actually after rethinking of the problem, the "ambiguous" 3♠ can be more clearly pictured when we do some eliminations:

I guess some "natural" meaning of the bids, without further discussion, could be

4♥ = any hand with good ♥ fit to play opposite a competitive hand, may not have many points.
4♦ = big reverse hand
4♣ = big 1-suiter, FG
3NT = strong BAL - typically 18-19
3♥ = catch all, no distinct feature.

So all remaining is the 3♠, or even 4♠, 4NT, 5♣ to sort out the remaining hand types.
3♠ could be
- 8-9 tricks in m and seeking ♠ stopper (3NT probe)
- strong BAL but no ♠ stopper, no 3 card ♥ (we open 3244 in 1♣)
...

At the table N want to keep every option open (including playing of ♥, ♣, ♦ contracts) so the choice is 3♠.
If S bid 3NT over 3♠, will N thinks that S is just a competitive hand and have some chance to pass without trying slam?
So even 4NT have comes into the picture, but we have not thought of the 5NT yet
And N is already planned to pull 3NT to 4♣ if S really bid 3NT, and we all agree this has to be forward going.