1♥ - 1♠
2♣ - 3♥ ?
where 1♥ = 4+♥, not 4♠s, 11-15
1♠ = 11+ relay
2♣ = balanced
Responder can bid 2♥ to invite; or continue relay with a good heart hand; or have bid 2NT as a raise first time.
So 3♥ is not needed. We play it as shortage.
Being forced to open a major with four small can give responder doubts about 3NT.
"Is my singleton facing KQTx or xxxx?"
We have found that hands with a singleton do better to show than ask. Let partner decide.
Here's a (slightly doctored) one we had recently
Overdoing it, maybe. Would be happy to reach 5♦ and find North with ♥AQTxx.
We have extended this.
In relay auctions, ALL 3-level breaks (opposite a bid that shows balanced) show shortage.
1♥ - 1♠
2♣ - 3♣/♦/♥/♠ show shortage.
Invitational hands with a long minor would have responded 3♣/♦ initially. (Or bid 2NT/3NT/relay now)
We do the same in strong club auctions:
1♣ - 2♣ = 8+ balanced with a major
3 any is a splinter
David Morgan points out that these should really be transfer splinters to give extra options to both.
You might even bid this way with a 6-card major
♠AKxxxx ♥x ♦KQx ♣Axx
When partner shows 8+ bal, this hand would like to show a mild slam try with six spades and a stiff heart.