Douglas43

No choice in UK, 3NT= AKQxxxx in a minor, which is more fun than 25-27 balanced. Sometimes it even works! But thanks for warning that the bots play 25-27.

Agree. North did plenty.

Unless there is an undisclosed method here (or pilowski is right and 2C is natural) East's bidding seems poor. If 2C is Stayman despite the lack of alert I have no idea what East would do over a 2H reply? I would though be inclined to make a balancing double over 3C at matchpoints, even at game all. Certainly at any other score.

The low-level transfer with 2H gives partner a chance to super-accept. I would have liked an option to transfer with 2H, then bid 4S over a simple 2S acceptance and make a slam try over a super-accept (depending on how they are played)

Thanks to all for an interesting discussion. I usually play 4 card majors, so helpful to see the thinking involved with 5CM. For what it's worth my partnership responds 2NT as Jacoby when unpassed / uninterrupted and 2NT = sound / hcp based raise to 3 or more when passed, after doubles and after overcalls. Even then a direct raise to 3 has to be playable opposite a 4 card suit so normally 8 losers and say 6 /7 hcp. We lose some pre-emption compared to 5 card majors, but it seems to average out

Agree about the opener being worth 6 losers

I don't think there is a standard answer in Acol. Before two-level transfers were standard, I believe many Acol players used "Texas transfers" 4C to H, 4D to S. These days it's more common to see 4C = Gerber, and 4H and 4S natural. Opposite a weak NT there is more risk that opponents have game or a cheap save. Also, there is less to protect when you play the hand "upside down". With a six card suit and say 12-14 hcp, I would transfer at two level then bid game, but with a seven card suit and fewer hcp, just bid game in my suit.

Mike's post sums it up for me. I suppose you could pass 2CX with an absolute minimum 1D, hence 2D is presumably non-minimum, but even so, this hand is a corker (sorry I'm a Brit = a particularly fine example of its type). If you had shown extras the round before, partner would be making an informed decision.

If you like pinpoint routes, a modified Ghestem is also an easy development from Michaels. 2NT always two lowest suits, cue bid always two highest, 3C is extremes, so here would bid 3C. However, not playing that here, so 1S.

I would always break with 4-card support but not always with 3. If you transfer and partner bids a simple 3H, quantitative 4NT does not rule out 6H. Partner can still bid 6H with maximum, 3 card support and a doubleton outside.

Possibly influenced by mainly playing Acol, but prefer 1C if we open. If it's our hand, 3NT might play better than a 5-3 heart fit. And if it's their hand at least I've indicated a lead.

4H looks a fair shot in third position. Good chance of unexpected Heart tricks if opponents bid 4S. It could be awful but I'd bid it at pairs or if behind in a match.