[pigpenz]

what do most think is best option on this hand?

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[PhilKing]

There is no choice - you HAVE to bid 3♠ to see if partner can bid 3NT.

But there is something else that you need to get clear in this type of auction - when you cue bid looking for 3NT it is vital to agree that you are not committed to game. You can still stop in 4♣.

A lot of people will disagree with this theory, but it comes up again and again and to me it seems obvious that one should not be forced to try for the 11 trick game once 3NT is not an option.

[ArtK78]

PhilKing, on 2013-January-18, 12:14, said:

There is no choice - you HAVE to bid 3♠ to see if partner can bid 3NT.

But there is something else that you need to get clear in this type of auction - when you cue bid looking for 3NT it is vital to agree that you are not committed to game. You can still stop in 4♣.

A lot of people will disagree with this theory, but it comes up again and again and to me it seems obvious that one should not be forced to try for the 11 trick game once 3NT is not an option.

I agree with both points - bid 3♠ so that you can get to 3NT when it is right, and that you can get out at 4♣ if partner does not have a spade stop and does not have extras.

Of course, even if partner has a spade stopper 3NT might not be right - you could still go down in 3NT on a spade lead while 10 or 11 tricks are makable in clubs - but it rates to be right, especially at matchpoints.

[BillPatch]

Am I correct that 3♠ cue implies half stop?
If responder had full stop NT interest he might bid NT. If
opener has full stop he might bid NT himself.

[JLOGIC]

No you aren't. Responder is not expected to bid 3N instead of 3C any time he has a spade stopper.

[pigpenz]

3NT-2 -200 on ♠lead

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this was the actual auction and the North Hand

[pigpenz]

What really makes me think about the problem is that partner with
♠ Hx
♣AKQxxx
Would bid 3NT with KX♠
Or cue bid3♠ with Qx or Jx

So is it not possible to work out that ♣ bidder most likel needs help in that suit Also?
So the ♣ bidder has suit without the top three honors?

[JLOGIC]

Why would he not bid 3C with AKQxxx of clubs and Kx of spades? That hand could have a slam pretty easily. Maybe partner even has a stiff heart and you go down in 3N cold for 6C. Maybe the opponents are about to raise to 4S and you don't know what to do since you never bid your clubs. A lot of things could happen, there is no need to mastermind the auction and not bid your AKQxxx suit.

[JLOGIC]

Why would he not bid 3C with AKQxxx of clubs and Kx of spades? That hand could have a slam pretty easily. Maybe partner even has a stiff heart and you go down in 3N cold for 6C. Maybe the opponents are about to raise to 4S and you don't know what to do since you never bid your clubs. A lot of things could happen, there is no need to mastermind the auction and not bid your AKQxxx suit.