CONFUSED ABOUT A BID ? WELL THERE'S NO NEED TO BE IF YOU ADOPT THE PRACTICES OF THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE BC'S EXPERT PAIR

Let's face it we mortals are all victims of a bidding system where one bid can only mean one thing , when in an ideal world you would really like it to mean another.
Take for instance a typical auction where you and your partner quickly establish possession of a long solid minor suit , but with an eye on the superior 3NT contract. So when your partner introduces a heart bid for the first time at the 3 level , what message does it carry ?
Clearly , the answer depends on the initial bidding so far , what's stated on your system card , and what's your agreed bidding style. Therefore a 3H bid could mean any one of the following :
1. A four card heart suit
2. A small singleton
3. A cue bid
4. A good heart stop 
5. I have half a heart stop  
6. I have a really weak heart stop 
So how do our resident experts manage to enjoy all 6 options , and communicate to partner which one applies to their 3H bid ? The answer is simple. It depends on the extent of their pausing , and the deep anguished pain that goes into their thinking process. And this is how it works so beautifully to their advantage.
1. Immediate confident bid = a genuine heart suit
2. Short pause , confident bid = a singleton
3. Short pause , but a more carefully considered bid = a cue bid ( possible slam interest )
4. Long pause , confident bid = a good heart stop , so bid 3NT partner if holding Qx in the suit
5. Long pause slightly pained thinking =  Qx of hearts , so relay 3S partner with a good heart 
                                                                      stop enabling the 3NT bid to come from this side 
                                                                      of the table
6. An even longer pause , real agonised thinking = a weak heart stop here J10 or Jxx , so can 
                                                                      you help partner ( bid 3S with Qx or 3NT with Qxx )

So yes.....bridge is an easy game if you put the right elements into your bidding style , along with of course the absence of a moral conscience.