carnivales

Game's not impossible here. But it seems unlikely to reach unless it's a sacrifice. Even if you open 1NT and super-accept a heart transfer, can East really accept? Many people I'm sure would pass the 1♠ opening. We have at least 1 ♠ loser, at least 1 ♣ loser, and at least 1 ♦/♥ loser if the Q♥ isn't singleton. I figure it's got to be worth it at MPs and IMPS, but not one I could ever conceive reaching.

In my partenrships, I'd put 3♠ at invitational with somewhere around 17 points to a bad 20. 3♥ in my opinion would be a game force, not 3♠.

[hv=pc=n&w=sak754hk7dkj3ca86&e=s3hq94dqt85ckqj32&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=1cp]266|200[/hv] How would these hands be bid? Can we realize that slam is impossible and reach a sturdy NT contract?

[hv=pc=n&s=sq9865hqt9865dtcq&d=e&v=0&b=14&a=2c(strong)]133|200|[/hv] IMPS if it matters.