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Playing 2/1 GI w. 2♥ showing 5+. Partner can support with a raise, bid 2♠ if short ♥ or bid otherwise to show 2♥. I could end up playing in any of 2NT, 3NT, 4+♥ or 5+♣

I would agree although playing standard with a pick-up partner I doubt they would twig.

On another day 3NT may be the better contract. I occasionally lose out when the field is in 3NT going plus and I play in 5m, but often find the minor suit slam when others have signed off. For me East's hand above is on the cusp of the SI

If 2♣ is GF and denies a Major I'll bid 3NT with stoppers and 12-14. Over 4♣ my approach is to show keycards so 4♦ would be even and anything else odd with a control; in this case 4♥. East with a key card and Q♣ bids 4NT to show the ♦ control denying a ♠ control and continued slam interest. West converts to 6♣ with the ♠ controls

I'm bidding 2NT showing balanced 18-19 in a standard better minor approach. 2♦ is an under bid for me. As East I'm then bidding 4♣ as slam invitational ending in 6♣ on this occasion.

3♠ for me which is specifically 1354. I'd try for the slam over any suit bid by opener

Historically I'd have bid 1♦-1♠-3♣-3NT 19 total points Now playing an Unbalanced ♦ I'm likely to end up in ♦ trying for a slam on the way, although the flat hand may encourage 3NT. If defending white versus red I play a NT takeout so not sure how the auction would go after that.

I've always liked this variation https://bridgewinners.com/article/view/advancing-a-nebulous-2c-response/

I'm slaming on this one and I would open 1♥ 1♥ - 2♣ 2♥ is the oM - 2♠ GF Shape? 2NT 4522 - 4♠ 6+ ♣ w. 2+/3 honours, odd KCs, K♠, controls in ♥ & ♦ 6♣ Let's see if I make it

Taking a further look - how did the play pan out as you go down only on a ♦ lead?

Coming late to the thread. I would interpret 3♠ as a stopper ask for 3NT and then retrospectively showing a control and slam invitational following the 4♣ bid. Rather than asking for keycards I prefer showing them with the first step indicating an even number with higher steps showing an odd number plus a (further) control. In the above situation either party can start the SI sequence with a 4♦ bid showing an even number of keycards and then: -North can show the K♥ with South then moving to 5♣ and in the process denying a ♦ control, AK♠ and 3KCs - PASS -South bids 5♣ directly denying any further controls and less than 3KCs - PASS For me this approach is superior to asking for keycards given that missing controls are identified prior to committing beyond 5 of the trump suit. Also am slightly surprised that ♥ weren't rebid

Its close between that and a limit raise For me

a) What would 3NT mean in this context? b) what does 4♦ mean in this context? 4♠ showing even/2KCs as I play it

Yes, cue-bid 3♠

Why 2♥ for West?

With 8.5 playing tricks a simple raise to 3♦ feels like an under bid A couple of other options: 2NT both minors intending to invite with 4m 2NT showing ♣ and another as in The Overcall Structure --3♥ 1+ playing tricks requesting 2nd suit intending to correct to 4♣ over 3♠ ----4♦ ------5♦ given I have 2 tricks to contribute

I doubt I'm looking for a slam with 6 points even with this distribution. 3♣ is artificial for me and I could construct a sequence to get there, but doubt I would bid it.

It depends on the partner and which hand I'm playing; I bid 7♦ purely on a modified losing trick basis, which suggests 7-level without adjustments

With all keycards I wouldn't show short ♣(i.e. A♣) and I don't have a systemic bid for Qx♣ in this situation.

Yes usually a Puppet, but I've seen options which incorporate 4♣/♦ as a potential reply

In which case my auction is 2NT - 3♠ 3NT - 4♦ 4♥ even KCs - 5♠ All KCs K♠ no K♥ 6♣ K♣ no K♥ interest in grand-7♣ Q♣xx(x) 7NT

Are you saying you are not interested in 2NT-3♠ as SI minor suit relay to 3NT?

I force the issue with 4♥ showing 2KCs

I favour 3♣ given opener could still be minimum and 4♦ could be a stretch

Partner has bid ♣ rather than a 4 card Major so it's natural; hence you bid ♠ to deny the stopper