[AL78]

Assuming 5CM, strong NT, 1♣ could be two cards:

1♣ - 1♥
2♣ - 3♣
3♥

What type of hand do you think 3♥ shows?

[DavidKok]

I think there are two options, and it depends on your agreements after 1♣-1♥-2♣. Personally I play 3rd suit game forcing here, so 3♣ would be limited and NF. In that case 3♥ should be 3-card support with a shapely hand, and asks responder to consider 4♥ or 5♣. If 3♣ was forcing or a sound invitation the 3♥ bid probably shows some values and asks responder to bid 3NT with ♦ values. On a constructive auction without a major suit fit it is generally smart to consider all unexpected bids on the 3-level as some form of attempt to get to 3NT, usually value-showing.

[KingCovert]

Pretty much exactly what David said.

Both players have taken bids that are certainly not forcing. 3♥ is a sincere attempt to make progress within that context. Given the fact that neither player has values to force, taking 11 tricks is going to be hard. You may be able to do it on an absolutely magic fit between the two hands. But, 4♥ could easily be the best contract.

If I were to add anything, I'd say that moving forward Responder does have some opportunities now to cue-bid aces looking to catch the perfect fit of winners opposite shortage. Sometimes these hands just make 12 tricks.

[FelicityR]

DavidKok, on 2020-July-27, 07:20, said:

I think there are two options, and it depends on your agreements after 1♣-1♥-2♣. Personally I play 3rd suit game forcing here, so 3♣ would be limited and NF. In that case 3♥ should be 3-card support with a shapely hand, and asks responder to consider 4♥ or 5♣. If 3♣ was forcing or a sound invitation the 3♥ bid probably shows some values and asks responder to bid 3NT with ♦ values. On a constructive auction without a major suit fit it is generally smart to consider all unexpected bids on the 3-level as some form of attempt to get to 3NT, usually value-showing.

I agree in principle with most of what David says, and I was going to post similarly though I thought I'll wait until someone replied to the post before posting myself. So 3♥ shows 3-card ♥ support with a shapely hand and is forcing to game is agreed. Though both players have already limited their hands somewhat with opener rebidding 2♣ and responder supporting to 3♣.

However, with a 5♣3♥41 opener I would prefer to raise 1♥ to 2♥ with 3-card support than rebid 2♣. And with 5332 shape rebid 1NT with a good 14 count. And since both hands have bypassed bidding in no-trumps or enquiring about a no-trump contract by bidding ♦s or ♠s thus far, then a game contract in ♥s or ♣s looks the most likely outcome though 3NT cannot be ruled out.

On this bidding I would expect opener to have a 6 card ♣ suit and a 3 card ♥ suit giving responder the choice of game options.

[crapdown4]

AL78, on 2020-July-27, 06:50, said:

Assuming 5CM, strong NT, 1♣ could be two cards:

1♣ - 1♥
2♣ - 3♣
3♥

What type of hand do you think 3♥ shows?

So...opener has a minimum (2C rebid) and a shapely hand (long clubs, 3 hearts, we presume).

So let me cut the Gordian knot. Opener raises 1H to 2H. His hand should be a good dummy in hearts. Responder can proceed on the assumption that partner may only have three hearts...perhaps rebidding in NT with only four hearts himself.

I don't know if this makes me modern or old-fashioned, but I support with support. ALWAYS raise responder's major with three card support, some shape, and a minimum hand.

[AL78]

These were the hands and auction:

---

Partner got a spade lead and made 11 tricks. I was curious why partner had chosen 4♥ on a Moysian fit, but she clearly didn't fancy 3NT with the lack of a diamond stop, and it turned out to be good judgement, 3NT is held to nine tricks on a diamond lead.


3♣ is invitational so I felt 3♥ should be showing enough for game and three card support. I wanted to check my bidding was reasonable.

[sfi]

AL78, on 2020-July-28, 02:46, said:

3♣ is invitational so I felt 3♥ should be showing enough for game and three card support. I wanted to check my bidding was reasonable.

It looks fine to me. Partner may be endplayed into guessing, depending on whether 3S shows or asks for a stopper. If so, choosing the Moysian looks reasonable because of the risk of the diamonds running.

[FelicityR]

AL78, on 2020-July-28, 02:46, said:

These were the hands and auction:

---

Partner got a spade lead and made 11 tricks. I was curious why partner had chosen 4♥ on a Moysian fit, but she clearly didn't fancy 3NT with the lack of a diamond stop, and it turned out to be good judgement, 3NT is held to nine tricks on a diamond lead.


3♣ is invitational so I felt 3♥ should be showing enough for game and three card support. I wanted to check my bidding was reasonable.

Your bidding was quite reasonable though North's hand is one of those 14 HCP 6m322 hands where opening a strong 1NT (15-17) is also something that I would consider. It is definitely worth an upgrade. It is betwixt and between a rebid of 2♣ and 3♣ when partner responds 1♥ (or 1♦ or 1♠) to your opening bid of 1♣. Looks too strong for a 2♣ rebid and just a fraction weak for a 3♣ rebid. The Kaplan and Rubens evaluator puts it at 17.10 for what its worth.