Posted 2015-May-20, 23:39
Given the mismatch between the strength and spade lengths, comparing North's hand with its explanation, I wonder whether it even meant it as a cue bid or alternatively just a suggestion to play. Which would be a bug also, of course, but requiring a different fix than playing around with hand evaluation.
But even if (as I would hope) the cue is supposed to be a strong bid with tolerance for Spades, I don't see the necessity for it to be forcing to 3N. Forcing to 3S would be good enough for me. South's 2S carries an 8 point range, which really argues for split ranges for North to invite. These bids which unnecessarily force to 3N is a theme that crops up a lot in other situations.
South reopening with a double would have worked out well on this hand, but I sympathise.
Psych (pron. saik): A gross and deliberate misstatement of honour strength and/or suit length. Expressly permitted under Law 73E but forbidden contrary to that law by Acol club tourneys.
Psyche (pron. sahy-kee): The human soul, spirit or mind (derived, personification thereof, beloved of Eros, Greek myth).
Masterminding (pron. m

s

t

r-m

nd

ing) tr. v. - Any bid made by bridge player with which partner disagrees.
"Gentlemen, when the barrage lifts." 9th battalion, King's own Yorkshire light infantry,
2000 years earlier: "morituri te salutant"
"I will be with you, whatever". Blair to Bush, precursor to invasion of Iraq