[gnasher]

ggwhiz, on 2013-October-16, 12:06, said:

I don't understand 4nt being quantitative unless it's over 3nt. Y'all must be playing Kickback, Minorwood, Dollywood etc. anything but blackwood

I don't play Kickback, Minorwood, or AnyOtherNonsenseWood, but I think that all of these:
  1♠-2♦; 2♥-4NT
  1♠-2♦; 2♥-3♣; 4NT
  1♠-2♦; 2♥-3♣; 3any-4NT
are quantitative.

[fromageGB]

If you don't have the ability to show a strong hand with 4SF, maybe because it shows directional choice/uncertainty rather than strength, and you are in the situation where partner bids 3NT, you can use 4♣ as artificial. If for example North has not shows any particular point range, 4NT quantitative is a bit meaningless - what is good and what is bad? How does he know exactly how good you are to make that judgement?

Back in old days I successfully used 4♣ here as a point count ask with simple step responses starting with a 12 count. (12 or fewer bids the first step, 13 the next, etc.) Very crude, and I am not saying it is a good method, but if it is something you can add on without fundamentally altering your style to do things better, consider it. The idea is that if partner is happy in a freely bid 3NT, your additional values mean that a response up to 4NT is reasonably safe to play in 4NT, and if higher, you bid the slam.

It's no help with distribution, but partner has already made that decision.

[Codo]

I would bid

1♠ 2♦
2♥ 4 NT
6 NT

If you tell me that I have no forcing heart raise avaiable and need 4 NT as KC for hearts, I cannot help you, you have a hole in your system.

I would prefer
1♠ 2 ♦
2♥ 3♣
to hear about a possible red suit fit, but just if I have some safety about the continuation.