Two or five key cards

[barmar]

Was this a "best hand" robot tournament? Then you know that partner has at most 16 HCP, and more likely has less. Without a fit or a running suit, it generally takes about 33 HCP to make a slam. So slam is not likely.

 

However, since you actually do have a spade fit, 6♠ from your side (to protect the ♥K from the opening lead) is not actually a bad contract. But you'll never get there by jumping directly to 4NT.

[KingCovert]

I'd imagine that would be madness. A 1 ♦ is far too unlimited for a quantative NT repsonse. It is a 12-21 HCP opening.

 

Would opener be expected to accept with a non minimal hand of 14HCP or would a maximum of 21 be the requirement? How would opening hand be expected to handle the potential two or three suiters with a void holding minimal values? 4NT simply cannot be quantative, you need a tight range in strength AND shape in order for that to make sense.

 

Well, if you think that partner has anywhere near 19-21 HCP with any regularity when you might bid 4NT quantitative, then, I suppose you have a point. Keycard just seems like a dumb agreement. Perhaps that's because I play Inverted Minors and Criss-Cross when I play 2/1.

 

I just can't think of any serious auction where I'd ever bid 4NT here, but, if I ever felt like it would be right, it would be on some 2NT opener type hand, and I'd want it to be quantitative.