How to bid to 3NT?

[veredk]

The bidding:
p, p, 1  , p/ 1NT, 2  , p, p/2  , ppp.

Two tables in the tournament reached 3NT.
One played by the opener making 3N+1 and the other by the responder making 3N.

Opener's hand:
  AJT4,  AQJ85,  J2, Q7

Responder's hand:
  872, 94,  AK75,  K842

What did we do right and what was wrong?

Does opener have a bid after  2?

Thank you, Vered

[Masse24]

I think finding 3NT is difficult.

Just so I'm clear on the auction:
P  -  (p) - 1 - (p)
1N - (2 ) - P - (p)
2 - all pass.

By putting the opponent's bids in parentheses, reader's can differentiate between bids.

Responder is thin for 2NT over 2 , though it's possible. 2 , though showing only two hearts, was mildly timid. Opener has a bit more than minimum, so even though partner denied having spades, opener might consider a cooperative double to show a desire to continue but with no clear bid. With both of you taking the low road you're never reaching this thin game.

But I think your result was quite normal.

[veredk]

Thanks Todd.
So you are suggesting that after
P  -  (p) - 1  - (p)
1N - (2 ) - opener now should X instead of passing to convey to partner that he is not dead minimum and would like to continue investigating.

[Masse24]

Not really. More suggesting that to stumble into 3NT, one of you must be aggressive. That would be one path. Personally, I would pass.

I think your result was fairly normal. 

[EddyHaskel]

Just open 1N in the first place.

[wackojack]

I remember this hand and gave my opening bid a lot of thought.  Open 1NT or 1H?
Open 1NT
Advantages:
It is has 15HCP and is worth 16 and so gets over my strength
It right sides the contract ensuring that I am declarer.  eg    Q7 is best led up to esp if partner has Axx. 
Disadvantages:
If partner has 4 spades and fewer than 8HCP then I miss the 4-4 spade fit.
Open 1
Advantages:
I will always find a 4-4 spade fit or a 5-3  fit if there is one.
Disadvantages: If partner has 9-10 HCP I am unlikely to find a 3NT contract. 

I decided to open 1 and my robot responded 1NT.  This gave me a problem.  Normally I would only pass 1NT if I had 12HCP trusting that partner had a hand worth fewer than 13.  On this occasion though I decided to pass hoping that partner did not have a hand worth 10HCP (partner had already passed)  Also robots do not shout at you if your decision does not turn out well.

As far I remember this was the final contract and my robot partner mad 9 tricks.

I think this was a MP tourney.  Maybe at imps I would go in favour of a 1NT opening bid.