Gap in the bidding rule-set?

[shyams]

[hv=pc=n&s=saj653haktd5cqj96&d=w&v=e&b=16&a=p1c1d1s(4%2B!S%3B%20forcing)3d(4%2B!D%3B%204-8%20pts)pp?]133|200[/hv]

This was the last board in my Robot challenge vs. cherdano

 

At this juncture, as per the GIB CC, South's options were:

--- 4♣ which shows 5+ clubs and is NOT forcing

--- 4♦ which shows 5+ clubs, 4+ spades, 17+ total points and is forcing

--- 4♥ which shows 5+ spades, 4+ hearts

--- Dbl which shows 1+ diamond, 4+ spades and 11+ total points. The text says nothing about whether GIB will treat it as forcing or not.

--- 4♠ (not sure) I think this showed a 6+ card solid spade suit.

 

My point is that there was no option available to South to show a 5-card spade suit without lying about the club suit.

 

I chose 4♦; cherdano chose Dbl. We both landed in game (me 5♣ on a 3-4 fit, he 4♥ on a 4-3 fit) when all along the best contract was 4♠. North held

♠ KT8

♥ QJ42

♦ KT9

♣ A43

 

Is this something that can be fixed?

[smerriman]

Gap In the Bidding sums it up pretty well.

[pilowsky]

Without interference, 2♠ would be a strong jump shift.

I just happened to have a hand on the teaching table where North opened 1♣ with 4♠ and I forced East to bid 1♦.

If I bid 2♠, South 'thinks' I have "free bid -- 6+♠; 13+ total points" and responded 3♠ "raise responder's response -- 3+ ♣; 2+♠; 11+ HCP; 12-15 total points.

North actually had:

SAQ85, HKQ82, no diamonds and CT8765.

 

Maybe you could call the Director?