Mark:
The usual plan when holding 18 points is to open 1 of a suit
and, after partner's response at the 1 level (including 1NT) bid 2NT to show
that hand. However, things change when partner passes the 1 H bid and R hand
opponent reopens the bidding. Now S knows that partner has 5 points maximum and
therefore it's very unlikely there's a makeable game. Partner's maximum of
5 (minimum of 0) adds at most to 23 points, while the worst case scenario is
that our 18 points are all the points for N-S. If N has 0 points, the chance of
making even 1 NT is in doubt. If S is feeling really optimistic, the best bid
is 1NT over 1 spade. That shows 18 to 21. (Remember, with 20 0r 21 partner is
expected to have opened 2NT, but with a nice 5 card heart suit, we are
likely to open 1H.)
REMEMBER THIS: Opener bidding 1 NT over interference
when partner has shown a bust by failing to act over 1 of a suit GUARANTEES 18+
points. Even 21 points is not out of the question, so the jump to 2 NT must be
something really special, maybe a solid, running 6 card heart suit and 2 more
sure tricks on the side, barely short of requirements for an opening bid of 2
clubs. Given that, North's raise to 3NT is a bit ambitious, but it's
reasonable. North is responding to what S SHOULD have based on the bidding so
far. Also, while N might want to consider raising hearts at the 3 or 4 level
with 3 card support for partner's suit, I tend to agree with trying for 9
tricks instead of 10.
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