[harikannan]

The auction: 1H (1S) 2H (2S) ...

what would a dbl mean here?

What would 2NT mean here?

Thanks.

[DavidKok]

It is common to play that a double of their suit after our side has found a fit is pure penalty. With that agreement, double is penalties and 2NT is a strange bid - maybe in a WNT context?

Personally I prefer to allocate all bids to constructive bidding here, I think defending 2♠X is too rare (and I do have other routes to get there too, by beginning with a pass). I use X as a shortage-showing bid with extra values and 2NT as a generic low information game try, while 3♣ and 3♦ are more shapely. However, this agreement is not standard.

[mw64ahw]

You've found a fit so anything else should be a game try, barring X for penalty. I use 2♠ as a reverse help suit game try so X takes its place. Now 3♣ is asking for trump honours and higher bids are splinters.

[pescetom]

I use X as shortage showing here and 2NT as concern about trump honours.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

you found a fit.

X a is game try, showing a spade trick, i.e. responder can pass, if he thinks that
this is best, possible hand type for responder are balanced hands with Jxx in spade
and a max, and distributed values.
2NT is also a game try, ..., I would assume that it asks for min / max., and if
p is in doubt, he can show where he lives.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Zelandakh]

System matters here. In an Acol context, 2NT is generally a 4 card invite and willingness to play 2NT opposite a 3 card minimum. In 5 card major systems, 2NT has more options, inter alia spades HSGT, power try or asking relay. A combo try is also possible - for example Opener might answer 3♣ to accept the HSGT and decline the power try; 3♦ for the reverse; 3♥ to decline both; or anything else to accept both. Some other options are also available. If, like David, you want to give up the penalty double, I would suggest just playing your regular method without interference (X replacing 2♠), which would presumably be one of the 2-way game try structures. This gains you SSGTs at the cost of giving you the occasional major headache, particularly at MPs where you will more often want to punt a tight double to protect your part score.

[harikannan]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and ideas. I should have mentioned 2/1 system, but happy to get the answers despite my omission to do so.