Forehand94

Yes, it would have helped. I guess it depends on if you encounter the stopper problem or slam problem more often. Although, as people have said above, you can use a western cue and then later in the auction show you have a slam try. Had partner used a western cue, I would have responded 4♥ as I want to be in hearts even with spades stopped and don't need a good fit for that to be a good contract. With a more notrumpy hand but the same extra values I would bid 3NT. With minimum values 2NT or 3♥. So partner should get all the information she needs.

[hv=pc=n&s=skj6hkqt963dj982c&w=s32h75dkt65cq7653&n=saq5haj8daq73cj98&e=st9874h42d4cakt42&d=w&v=n&b=12&a=p1d1s2hp4hppp]399|300[/hv] Pretty common situation but I don't know how to bid it without taking a big gamble. I am South and considered bidding 5♣ after the 4♥ to show a first round control but didn't feel I was strong enough as partner could easily have had 14-15. If my partner had bid 2♠ I would have taken that as asking for a spade stopper. And if she had bid 3♠ I would have taken that as a splinter. I'm thinking that me bidding 5♣ is the only way but that's hard to do. My hand is promising but it still has a lot of losers partner needs to take care of. Thanks for any advice.