Trump Echo

+1

The strength for slam in Spades is there. Does partner have an Ace? Does he have a first or second round stop in Hearts? I don't know. His Club Ace would be convenient as I could throw a Heart loser on it. Solution? Right or wrong, I'd blast to slam in Spades. Bidding the Diamonds first might seem obvious but it would also promote a Heart lead.

I would think it has to be quantitative because if I opened 1 NT and my partner wanted to know about my Aces, he'd have bid gerber, not Blackwood. But I would not want to bid it this way. If I had a tenace or a Kx, I'd have responded 2 Clubs Stayman. Partner answers. I bid 3 Hearts, forcing of course. This would show my five Hearts. Partner bids 3 NT, and I raise to 4NT. Quantitative. OTOH, if I had no tenace and no Kx, I'd be inclined to bid it the way this auction went. My regular partner would know it's not Blackwood. But yes, as mentioned above, I suspect a majority of the players on BBO would see Blackwood automatically, which is a shame.

It's seems likely we have game in Spades. With either hand, I'd respond 3 Diamonds and follow that with a supporting bid of Spades.

I agree with Jinsky

I agree with Helene. 5 Clubs for me which my reg partner should see as invitational...

I agree with Z

I give credit to the OP on the 3 NT. The double seems obvious, but when Spades are led defending 3 NT, RHO is not likely to take it with the Ace. So the King wins. Point is, 3 NT might produce game, but a double likely will not. Hand 2 - I'd have passed the first round...

I'd bid 3 NT since it seems to be the best chance at finding game.

I could have had a bare bones hand and yet my p is calling game in Hearts vulnerable. I am raising.

I don't like anybody's bidding here. I don't like West's opening. I like North's double but not his second call of 1 NT. I like East's raise of the Diamonds but not his second raise to level 3. I like South's first bid but his second bid should have been game in Hearts, not 2 Hearts. I think North should have raised the Hearts to level 3 on his second call, given the likely solidity of the Hearts and the ability to play with seven trumps. South would then raise, of course.

There are so many different ways to attack this. I think a conversation with your regular partner regarding this situation is a good idea. Some people play that a cue bid is forcing to game, some play it's invitational. Clear that up with your partner. The problem with a cue bid, even if it's forcing to game, is you can't be sure your partner's overcall is showing an opening hand. Personally, with a superfit and a better than game-going hand, I'd jump to 4 Spades and hope for the best. Talk to your partner.

Agree with pass.

I'm not clear on what the double is. If the double is for penalty, then I blame South. If the double is a raise, then I blame North.

Yes.