[CSGibson]

---

1♦ was 10-15 HCP, 0+ diamonds (playing a big club system). It will only be 0 diamonds if opener is 4=4=0=5 shape. Partner would usually rebid 1N with a spade singleton and an otherwise balanced hand in the 11-13 range, so 2♣ either indicates that the hand is out of range, or that it is 5-4 in the minors, either way. A NT opening by our side would be 14-16. Beyond those considerations, it is a relatively normal 4th suit forcing auction. After 3N, is there an intelligent way to explore slam in a natural framework?

[Cyberyeti]

I'd be very inclined to bid 4♣ to agree clubs, then hope either partner or I will keycard (depending on what you use to ask if 4♣ doesn't ask in itself) and I can then convert clubs to spades. I presume 1♦-2♠/3♠ would be weak (it's unlikely you would want to splinter opposite a potentially 0 card suit).

[ggwhiz]

Cyberyeti, on 2013-February-13, 10:35, said:

I'd be very inclined to bid 4♣

Yeah, this is forcing and regardless of what pard does next (expecting 4♦/♥) 4♠ is a slam try that pard MAY be able to cooperate with.

[CSGibson]

Cyberyeti, on 2013-February-13, 10:35, said:

I'd be very inclined to bid 4♣ to agree clubs, then hope either partner or I will keycard (depending on what you use to ask if 4♣ doesn't ask in itself) and I can then convert clubs to spades. I presume 1♦-2♠/3♠ would be weak (it's unlikely you would want to splinter opposite a potentially 0 card suit).

1D-2S would be an artificial game force showing a minor oriented hand. 1D-3S is weak.

[JLOGIC]

4H is coming in spades since with a minor you would bid 4 of a minor and with hearts you would have bid 3H last time.

[JLOGIC]

FWIW I would just keycard over a 4S signoff after 4H. Even when it's not cold, a lot of the time it will be on the lead (eg partner has x Qx KQxxx Axxxx) which is a very good slam, and the rest of the time you are probably on a hook. Depending on how light you open, a really bad day you will have no play (--- Qxx QJTxx AJTxx which I believe most would not open), but I wouldn't really worry about it.

[CSGibson]

JLOGIC, on 2013-February-13, 12:31, said:

4H is coming in spades since with a minor you would bid 4 of a minor and with hearts you would have bid 3H last time.

That totally makes sense to me, but I didn't think of it last night.

[Fluffy]

I've declared too many times on 4M forcing bids that make sense to even think about them now