Question: How do you bid these hands? West deals and passes.

North
♠ K Q
♥ J 9 5
♦ A K Q J 10 3
♣ J 7

South
♠ A J 9
♥ K Q 7 4 2
♦ 6 2
♣ 8 6 5

The key to bidding to 4♥  is North’s rebid of 2NT.  North’s hand evaluates to 19 total points counting two points for the 5th and 6th diamond. A rebid of 3♦ would show just 17-18 total points so North rebids 2NT to show these extra values.  2NT is not perfect since the shape is semi-balanced and the club suit is a bit weak but sometimes we have to make judgment calls to adequately describe our hand to partner.  

South uses New Minor Forcing to show a five-card heart suit and game-going values. North shows three-card support with the 3♥ bid and south raises to game only holding the 5-3-3-2 death shape.

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