[MarkDean]

Scoring: IMP

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Opponents silent, partner opens, playing 12-14nt
1♦ - 2♣ (GF)
2♦ - 2♠
2NT - 3♣
3NT - ?
<edited after Justin's post>

2♣ being GF is the extent of your discussion about 1♦ - 2♣ auctions.

What is your call? In particular, do you think 4♦ suggests diamonds could be the right strain, or is it a cue for clubs?

[JLOL]

4D clearly suggests diamonds could be the right strain. 4225 with a good hand is definitely in the picture.

I would bid 4C now. We might have a grand.

Oh and FWIW I think 3N is like 16ish with 6322 and hearts stopped.

[MarkDean]

Ooops, sorry, total brain fart, I left out a round of bidding. I will edit OP.

[JLOL]

ahh ok.

I still think 4D should show 2 diamonds, 4126 for instance. I would bid 4C still, seems like the hand should play in clubs.

[FrancesHinden]

I think 4D is natural (ish) - 4126 would be my guess as well - but it's quite unlikely we're actually going to play in the suit as partner bid 2NT then 3NT is can't possibly have a decent 6-carder. More than 4D shows extra values and something nice in diamonds.

The only crumb of comfort so far is that partner didn't bid 3NT over 2S.

I might have simplified matters by bidding 1D - 2C - 2D - 4C if that sets clubs as trumps and demands cue bidding, and assuming I can bid 4NT after ...4H.... to show interest but no ace of spades (or 4NT to show lack of interest and 5C as extras). That at least tells partner that we care about his controls and don't really care about the rest of his hand; and if he cues 4S over 4C we have an easy grand slam force.