[Manastorm]

I always read Caprera's adventures on Bridgewinners and sometimes present them on BBO forum too. This time the Caprera's (I assume) had a complicated sequence, which stopped short, while some comments suggested that opener needed to have just Kxxx spades for a solid 6♠. However only 5♦ was found. The thread asked for suggestions, but I dont have a good one. I would have bid 5♠ after 3♠ raise and expect partner to pass with no spade honours or bid 6 or 7 depending on agreements. I am ok with a cue-bid sequence, because sometimes partner doesnt show a heart honour and you have no problems. The issue is, if partner does show a heart honour, can you land on your feet. I have no idea, but based on what happened, they didnt. I have one important tip, which the Caprera's know, but seem to have forgotten. It is helpful to show support and more specifically tell partner what she wants to know. You dont have to know why this information is helpful, but when partner begs for a spade support you need to show it happily. In this case maybe the responder wanted to use exclusion blackwood or 5♠ to find the right contract. The opener doesnt know that, but should assume there is a reason behind partner's bidding. When partner bids 4♣, the opener should think: Ahaaa! This is why raising spades was needed, partner wants to cue-bid with spades as trump, not because partner wants to simulate tooth removal.