[blml] impossible bid

[Alain Gottcheiner]

Dear blmlists,

This strange sequence happened (between screens) to my teammates :

pass		1C
3NT		4NT
6NT

West isn't the kind of player to pass a fair 12-count, so the 3NT bid is 
"impossible" (especially playing IMR). Rather surprised by the bid, East 
bid 4NT "just to see what happens" on her 1345 19-count including a bare 
king, and the good slam was reached (+2 IMPs vs 6C in closed room).

Asked about the sequence, a Belgian expert answered : "3NT means West 
miscounted her hand, and 4NT asks by how much". I'm not sure whether he was 
trying to look witty.

Now, asked about the 3NT bid, East wouldn't have dared to answer that or 
anything - except, perhaps, "my partner bids 3NT whenever possible, and 
even sometimes when it isn't", which is true).
But how could she then justify her 4NT bid ? Is she really allowed to 
assume her partner miscounted her hand ? Does Sherlock's motto apply here ?
I insist that, on seeing the whole of her match, it makes no doubt that 
West was at the peak of her powers.

Thank you for your opinion.

Ah yes, the real story behind the deal. Well, West held a fair 14-count and 
was wondering whether to open a strong NT. On deciding she wouldn't open 
that, she had a slip of the mind and didn't open anything.

Best regards,

    Alain