Greathale

I have read somewhere that when playing a strong two club, it is not enough just to have 8 playing tricks - for example with a solid 8 card suit and nothing outside. You also need to have a hand with 'quality', and for that you also need to have at least two defensive tricks. I know how to count my playing tricks, which will be based on the assumption that my long suit will be the trump suit. I have read somewhere else that when counting defensive tricks you count all playing tricks in suits up to 5 cards long, only A K in 6 card suits, and only A in 7 card suits, but you treat the opponents' suit differently, Q J 10 5 being worth 1 1/2 (or so) defensive tricks. But when opening strong 2 club you have no idea whether opponents will bid and if so, in what suit. So how do you go about counting your playing tricks AND defensive tricks in the same hand before opening.

Thanks. Makes sense. As I understand it, if I bid 4NT straight after partner's 2NT it's telling partner I am at the max end of my 2 hearts 0-5 range, which allows partner to pass with 25-27 HCP or bid 6NT with her 28 HCP. I can bypass the 3NT denial of a major as it is going to be superfluous given that I don't have a four card major.

My partner and I have only been playing for 6 months but are keen to learn. We play weak 2's in hearts and spades, Stayman and Transfers. Last week my partner had a 28 HCP balanced hand (3343) and I had a 5 HCP balanced hand (4333). Partner opened 2 Diamonds (25+ balanced) and I responded a negative 2 hearts. Partner rebid 2NT, and I responded 3NT denying a major. Partner passed and we made 12 tricks. Where did we go wrong? We have had a lot of conflicting advice. We are wondering if partner should have bid 4NT, with me raising to 6NT with by 5 HCP hand?