limit raises and semiforcing NT

[whereagles]

Well, go figure. Some other authors dispute that the 4th trump is that vital. See e.g. Lawrence/Wirgren "I fought the law".

[Zelandakh]

I'm actually thinking about just using help suit game tries here. The thing is opener is limited and responder is limited to a strictly invitational hand. If I use 3C as an asking bid then I haven't as much room as if 3C is a telling bid. I'm thinking that responder has already factored in whether he has a fourth trump, shortness and what all into his decision to represent his hand as a limit raise. On occasion opener will have some freak that is interested in slam, but he can use HSGTs or splinter but most of the time we won't need anything too fancy. Anyone have thoughts on this?

You can have your cake and eat it too here if you want, at the expense of giving away information unnecessarily. Take a look back at my post:

 

How about 1♠ - 2NT = limit raise or maxi-splinter, and then after 3♣ relay:

3♦ = 4 card limit (3♥ try)

3♥ = 3 card limit max

3♠ = 3 card limit min

3NT = void maxi-splinter (4♣ asks)

4♣ = maxi-splinter with singleton club

4♦ = maxi-splinter with singleton diamond

4♥ = maxi-splinter with singleton heart

Now add 1♠ - 2NT; 3♦ = HSGT game try ♦; 1♠ - 2NT; 3♥ = HSGT game try ♥; 1♠ - 2NT; 3♠ = HSGT game try ♣. The caveat is that you now need to tell the defence more about dummy when you do not have any game interest opposite the limit raise. But I think this is the kind of thing you are looking for.