[cencio]

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[mw64ahw]

Is 3♦ an underbid?

[msheald]

Personally, I try to stay away from minor game contracts.

After south's diamond bid, I would have bid 3NT in the north since north had a spade stopper. However, to your question, in my style of play, I feel that a 3 diamond bid is not forcing since south might have opened with a minimum, and ops might be able run spades once they knock out the stopper.

However, if I had been in south, my preference would have been to bid 3NT opposite partners double. To me, the double forces a bid at the three level (at least, if partner has a bigger hand), and, with a spade stopper, I'd try my luck at a 3NT game rather than partial (or game) in minors. But, that is just my preference. Other's don't mind minors as much as I do. Best regards. Mike

[P_Marlowe]

South has 18HCP, the X should promise 8+ whatever, hence only bidding 3D is not enough.
South also has a stopper, he should bid 3NT, he sees 25+ combined, he bids game, it is
that simple.

You could argue, that North should bid on holding a double fit and inv. values, and
a stopper in spades, but it is close, and it is only Kx, so Pass is certainly a valid choice.