[mikl_plkcc]

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I wanted to find a bid showing 18-19 HCP balanced but the robot bidding system thought my 3NT was 21 HCP. I passed its forcing bid and ended up just made.

What should I do to play 3NT instead?

[hrothgar]

Comment 1: It is perfectly reasonable (even good) to upgrade your hand to an 18 count

Comment 2: If partner can't scrape up a bid, is balancing with 3NT really a good choice with an 18 count and no running suit?
What kind of hands can partner hold for their pass?

They can't have a penalty pass. Your hearts are too strong.
They can't hold what they actually have. They should take action with that.

3N might work if partner has a weak very distributional hand (but even here, defending 3♥ is probably just as good.
It might work if partner has a very flat 6 count.

Balanced against this, 3N is going to go very very poorly if RHO is holding the missing points

Comment 3: Looking at both hands, is 3N really where you want to play? Because I'd want to be in 6♣ (even with the shitty transportation).
And its not like 5N is any worse than 3N

Comment 4: The robots decision to pass 3♥ is incredibly bad

[mw64ahw]

I'd open 1N then I guess you end up in 6♣

[mikl_plkcc]

 mw64ahw, on 2025-May-18, 07:07, said:

I'd open 1N then I guess you end up in 6♣

The spade suit was too strong for a 1NT opening so I prefer bidding the major first, and I was stuck for a rebid after the preempt.

[mw64ahw]

mikl_plkcc, on 2025-May-18, 11:32, said:

The spade suit was too strong for a 1NT opening so I prefer bidding the major first, and I was stuck for a rebid after the preempt.

Doesn't bother me. I open all balanced 15-17 with a 5-card Major 1N even against a robot

[hrothgar]

mikl_plkcc, on 2025-May-18, 11:32, said:

The spade suit was too strong for a 1NT opening so I prefer bidding the major first, and I was stuck for a rebid after the preempt.

The issue here isn't the strength of the spade suit in isolation, but rather the playing strength of the hand as a whole.

> I was stuck for a rebid after the preempt.

The NT ladder is as basic as piece of a bidding system as there is.
You need to learn it and respect it.

Please note: You weren't stuck for a rebid.
You have an obvious pass.

This wouldn't end up scoring well, but that is your partner's fault and not your.

[thepossum]

At least 5NT makes. Could have been in 6