[erki_]

After (2♥)-dbl-(pass)-2NT*-(pass)-3♣*-(pass), 3♠ is inviting with spades,
but what would you think of it after (2♥)-dbl-(pass)-2NT*-(pass)-3♥*-(pass).
Still the same? What's the difference here between 3♠ and 4♠ here?

[ArtK78]

First of all, it is not clear that 3♠ in the first auction is invitational. That is a matter of partnership agreement. I would think that 2♥-3♠ is invitational but that the slower auction is forcing. But that is neither here nor there.

The 3♥ bid on the second auction is forcing to game. It is equivalent to an old-fashioned strong game forcing cue-bid. So there is no invitational bid available. Over the 3♥ bid, 3♠ is just a forced response. 4♠ shows long spades. Neither action shows great strength in the context of the auction. If responder has a good hand in the face of his partner's game forcing hand, he should probably bid 4♥ with a spade suit or 4 of a minor naturally (forcing).

The 3♥ bid after the double should not be a stopper ask, as 3♥ directly would be a stopper ask.

[Robert]

Hi erki_

That (2H)-X-2NT*-3H bid shows a game forcing hand. Just changing suits here, a 3D bid rather than 3C* would show a strong hand.

Your prior agreements should come into play after a 3H cuebid.

Lebensohl Convention Complete by Ron Anderson is highly recommented.
Page 63 says, "Game forcing cuebid."
A 3D bid example after (2H)-X-2NT-3D= AK109 x AK10xxx Qx

Regards,
Robert

[awm]

Here's how I prefer to play these. Some of this is not strictly standard:

2♥-X: Double is takeout. While this can be mildly off-shape with extras, it will not be a "power double" with a strong one-suited or two-suited hand. The double virtually guarantees holding at least three spades.

2♥-X-P-3♠: Forcing. Bidding lebensohl (2NT) first and then a suit always shows a weaker hand than a direct bid at the three-level. Since 2♠ is available for the weak hand, 2NT..3♠ is invitational and 3♠ direct like this is forcing.

2♥-X-P-2NT*-P-various bids: 3♣ is the normal call, essentially denying game interest opposite a weak responder. Since I play a non-lebensohl 3m call by responder as showing a minimum of about 8 hcp, the 3♣ call by doubler basically says "we do not have game if you have less than 8." The range is something like up to 18 hcp. Any other call by doubler shows a big hand. I like to use 3♦ as an artificial force in these auctions, saying "hey I have a big hand, looks something like a normal takeout double, what do you have for me?" Doubler's 3♥ is a stopper-ask, denying four spades. Doubler's 3♠ shows something like 5233 or 51(43) with extras (tolerance for minors). Doubler's 3NT shows a hand too strong for a 2NT overcall (again like 19+) with a heart stop and three spades (with two spades I would bid 3NT direct over 2♥ with this hand).

2♥-X-P-2NT*-P-3♦/♥-P-3♠: This shows spades. There is an inference that it was invitational opposite a normal takeout double because I could've bid 2♠ initially. Of course, here we are already game forced because doubler showed extras. Normally the number of spades is 4+ opposite 3♦ and 5+ opposite 3♥, but I would also bid this with four decent spades and no heart stop opposite partner's 3♥ call (willing to play the moysian game).

2♥-X-P-2NT*-P-3♣-P-3♥: Game forcing, showing a heart stopper (slow shows) and some interest in a minor suit game or slam opposite moderate extras (like 16-18) from doubler.

2♥-X-P-3♥: Game forcing cuebid, tends not to have a heart stopper or a spade suit. Usually looking for 3NT if opener has a stop, or perhaps the beginning of a slam try with 4+ in each of the minors.