[barryallen]

shevek, on 2010-December-21, 20:54, said:

Say it's IMPs, nil vul

It goes 2♠ - (3♥) - 3♠

2♠ classical weak. Double is penalties. What is 3♠?

Is it
a) "Pass whatever you have. I think the TNT is about 17. I know what to do if they bid 4♥." OR
"Bid 4♠ with a max. What else do you expect me to do with an invite?" OR
c) "I don't mind if you save over 4♥ with high ODR."

I can think of two major reasons for bidding 3♠, either as invitational to 4♠, or happy to play in 3♠ or defend 4♥. It's possible having the bid give both definitions should the opponents got to 4♥, but it has to be on the primary basis that opener raises to 4♠ with a suitable hand and no interference.

The next question is what to do should the opponents bid 4♥ and here opener has options to give partner, in pass, double or 4♠.

• pass being not good enough for 4♠
  
• double being good enough for 4♠
  
• 4♠ direct being a distributional raise

Giving partner now an option.

[rduran1216]

3H is my favorite bid white over partners 2S (with 0-5 HCP or 16+), unless RHO bids 3H of course

[gnasher]

Phil, on 2010-December-22, 12:06, said:

I also think KQT-6th, a 6331 and an Ace is a one bid. But thats just me.

No, it's me as well.