[pescetom]

Cyberyeti, on 2025-October-13, 13:28, said:

tbf our auction opposite that either starts 1♠-2♠ or 1♣-1♠-1N-P

I've played 3N with a 5-4 major suit fit before, I'm sure it will happen again, it's far from always been bad

I've played that we opened 14-16 HCP 5-4 major as strong 1NT for that matter, was not always bad either (but I had to complicate the Stayman too much for my taste).

[johnu]

Huibertus, on 2025-October-13, 05:23, said:

You misunderstood what I'm saying. I'm saying 2NT is not a contract you would ever want to play, IF you decide a forcing 2NT is the approach for you, that doesn't mean you're pushing higher. It means you must be aware you are going to end up in game once you bid 2NT and therefor need to have the values for it. So a natural non-forcing 2NT hand does not qualify for a forcing 2NT, you'd bid 1NT with it or some other non GF bid.

Sometimes you end up in 2NT. That's bridge. People end up in 2NT all the time after responders invites after opener's 1NT. Or maybe make a natural 2NT overcall over opponents weak 2, and find partner with a minimum hand that has to pass 2NT.

In the meantime, suppose you are playing 15-17 NT for this discussion. A 1NT rebid shows 11-14. What do you do with 18-19 without 4 card support in spades? 1NT is hopeless as 18-19 is at least an ace stronger than expected. Strong jump shift??? Most people play that as game forcing, which an 18-19 balanced/semi-balanced is not. Reverse??? Partner will not be expecting this type of hand. Now you would have to completely overhaul your bidding system if you are going to bid like that, which isn't close to standard anything. What's left? A non forcing 2NT.