1♣ = could be 2, 5-card majors/4-card diamond suit
2♠ = alerted, North [EDITED FOR TYPO} asks and is told it shows 5+ spades and 4+ diamonds
Before the opening lead, North says that 3D should have been alerted. South says why, and North says because it is a cue bid, showing a game forcing hand with hearts. South looks confused and it now transpires that South heard the explanation of 2S as '5+ spades and 4+hearts' not '5+spades and 4+diamonds'.
From North's perspective the auction meant:
3D = FG with hearts
3H= nothing special to say, but at least heart tolerance
3NT = choice of games
From South's perspective the auction means
3D = Diamonds;
3H = showing a heart stop
3NT = to play
The TD is called before dummy hits, and North says it sounds like they've missed their heart fit.
West says his explanation was clear, he can't help the fact that South mis-heard.
South says it's West's responsibility to make sure the opponents understand their methods.
[There is no dispute that it showed spades & diamonds and that is what the overcaller had]
The TD asks North what he heard, and North says he heard spades & diamonds but West was turned to look at him and West wasn't speaking that loudly (correctly, as all the tables were playing the same boards)
So: Has there been misinformation? Suppose they were making 4H and go off in 3NT, how to do you rule?
This post has been edited by FrancesHinden: 2012-June-18, 00:12