[Antrax]

1♣-(p)-1♥-(1♠)
X - (p)

How does responder continue now if he has a hand like ♠xxx ♥Axxx ♦KQx ♣xxx ? Not a very strong hand, no ♠ stopper, no five card hearts. Is 1NT a catchall here, denying five hearts? Will 2♣ here show three-card support?

[paulg]

Good question but I don't see a good answer. Both 1NT and 2♣ seem reasonable without prior discussion.

[wank]

opener may still have only 3 clubs in a 4333 shape so i wouldn't try 2♣. i wouldn't bid 1NT without a spade stop, though there seems to be a distinct minority on this forum who approve of such actions. the default with nothing better to do is to bid 2♥. this doesn't show a 5th heart. it just says that opposite a minimum hand with 3 hearts you want to play 2♥

[Antrax]

Oh. Is there a forcing way to show a fit? Cue-bid maybe?
If it continues X-(2♠), does bidding hearts promise a "real" (not 4-3) fit?

[wank]

Antrax, on 2011-July-14, 03:36, said:

Oh. Is there a forcing way to show a fit? Cue-bid maybe?
If it continues X-(2♠), does bidding hearts promise a "real" (not 4-3) fit?

well you could cue bid 2♠ then rebid hearts to show a strong hand and set them as trumps.

and yes if the next opponent bids anything, you're no longer 'forced' to bid anything so you would obviously only do so with a good fit.

[jmcw]

1NT nothing else appeals