#9 East West Vulnerable
 
South  West    North  East
Pass      1♣          1♠         2♦
2♠          ?
 
West
♠ A K 7
♥ Q 5 2
♦ K 6 4
♣ Q 10 9 8
 
As West, when the bidding comes back to you at 2♠, you have several options: pass, double or bid.  A pass would imply no stopper in spades, a double would show four hearts and that leaves what to bid?  2NT would show a minimum 12-14 point balanced hand with a spade stopper…seems right for this hand.

Now you might be asking, “Why doesn’t 2NT show 18-19?”  The answer is that partner has shown an invitational-plus point hand.  In those cases, a 2NT rebid by opener promises only a minimum opening hand.

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