Unless it is a shunt, a suit bid above 2NT is always natural if it can be. Other than strongly pulling a takeout double response or in a game-force, a high suit bid is forcing only if it is a new suit below game and opposite a suit-showing bid.
| West | North | East | South | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2NT | pass | ||||
3 |
When the bid is a cue bid, it has the same meanings as a neutral impossible suit bid. Opposite a natural suit bid it will set that suit. Whether it agrees a suit or not, if it is a jump it will be an Exclusion Keycard Ask, either for four keycards or (with no suit agreed) for three aces (see Fit Bidding). If not a jump, it is just a general force.
| West | North | East | South | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | dbl | pass | ||
| 4 |
| West | North | East | South | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | ||||
| 5 |
NEXT: disturbed preemption