[pescetom]

MP

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Wasn't a great choice, even if South went frustratingly close to a perfecto hand.
South put on the brakes, but 4NT-1 was a second bottom after 6♦-2.
Several 3NT+4 and a 6♦+1, plus a mysterious 6♦= after ♥A lead.

But I did think it was an interesting problem in a more serious tournament.

[mr1303]

What to open is a tough question, and even after a 1D opening, you will find it hard to catch up.

But once you decide it's a 2NT opener, you're stuck with passing 3NT, for better or for worse. Apart from anything else, what is partner meant to do with the information that you have a 6 card diamond suit in what looks like a 2NT opener? Which suit has the dubious stopper? Partner has a hand that is close to getting excited, and yet 3NT was the last making spot.

[mw64ahw]

Probably better off opening 2N as you end up in 3N, but taking partner out of this contract is odd.

Playing my esoteric unbalanced ♦ the auction starts
1♦ 3+ - 2N xx43 limit raise in a minor i.e. if opener only has 3♦ then they must have 5♣.
Now opener has a choice and can either bid 3♦ or 3N as sign-off or 3♠ looking for the ♥ stopper. With the latter you end up in 5♦.

[pescetom]

 mr1303, on 2026-September-20, 22:13, said:

But once you decide it's a 2NT opener, you're stuck with passing 3NT, for better or for worse. Apart from anything else, what is partner meant to do with the information that you have a 6 card diamond suit in what looks like a 2NT opener? Which suit has the dubious stopper?

It is very odd to pull your own NT, even on Friday, but our meta agreement when partner pulls our natural 3NT to a minor is to sign-off in 4NT with no lower control to show (or with a hand unsuitable for minor slam), otherwise control-bid at 4 level. So it was relatively clear to bid 4NT here.