[JonnyQuest]

What is the difference between these two auctions?

1♦ - (P) - 1♥ - (2♣)
3♥?

and

1♦ - (P) - 1♥ - (2♣)
3♣?

I received information that seems counter-intuitive to, what I consider common sense.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

the difference is, in the first auction opener showes a fit, and and makes a nonforcing,
although highly bid.
In the second auction, opener forces to game and asks for further information, he may or
may not have a heart fit.

If 2NT is Lebensohl style, the first auction would be forcing with a heart fit, and the
second auction would be forcing without a heart fit.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[mikeh]

Not sure I understand what P_Marlowe means by his second paragraph, but:

in auction 1, 3♥ shows the same hand as if RHO had passed...an invitational raise of hearts. A typical hand might be Axx KJxx AQxxx x

in auction 2, the cuebid says nothing other than: we are going to game and I will tell you why at my next bid. It will often contain a heart fit with game values, but unable to splinter. It may, however, be based on a very good, long diamond suit.

AQx Kx AKQxxxx x. We'd love to be in 3N if responder can bid it, and how else can we make a forcing bid?

Note that 3♣ will always revolve around either opener's suit or responder's suit. It would never, in the posted auction, contain biddable spades, because 2♠ by opener, over 2♣, is natural and forcing.

[PhantomSac]

3C=GF diamond bid. It is debatable whether it should include hands that are too good for 4H (those hands are pretty rare) or not (I think most would include that hand type).

And no one ever says it but 3253 with a balanced 18 or 19 and no club stopper is a real problem hand type that might choose to bid 3C. It doesn't fit anywhere very well.