Deal 3 ♠  
 
 
♣  
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1NTpass BID 
 
 
 

North's 1NT opening shows 15-17 points.
What is your bid?
  ♠ Q J 7 6 4
7 4
K 6 3
♣ A 9 2
 

 
Deal 3 ♠  
 
 
♣  
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1NTpass2
pass2♠pass BID 
 
 

With 11 points you are strong enough to force to game.
With a 5-card ♠ suit you should transfer partner to ♠s by bidding 2.
Partner dutifully responds 2♠.
What do you say now?
  ♠ Q J 7 6 4
7 4
K 6 3
♣ A 9 2
 

 
Deal 3 ♠  
 
 
♣  
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1NTpass2
pass2♠pass3NT
pass4♠pass BID 
 

You must make a bid that will force partner to game, but at the same time inform him that you have only 5 ♠s (remember, your transfer promised AT LEAST 5).
The bid that says both of these facts at once is 3NT.
Partner comes back with 4♠. What say you?
  ♠ Q J 7 6 4
7 4
K 6 3
♣ A 9 2
 

 
Deal 3 ♠ K 10 6
A 5
Q J 8 4
♣ K Q 7 3
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1NTpass2
pass2♠pass3NT
pass4♠passpass
pass

You say pass.

You might revalue your hand up to 12 points now that an 8-card fit has been discovered, but with partner's maximum of 17 you are nowhere near slam range.

A 4♠ contract is definitely the place to be.


 Deal 4 
  ♠ Q J 7 6 4
7 4
K 6 3
♣ A 9 2