Bidding is an attempt to describe your hand to partner until one of you is in position to make a decision for the pair. The process of hand evaluation though is not static but changes as a fit becomes uncovered or a misfit looms. This hand occurred on 7/26 in Portland and is a good example. You held

A J 10 8 5
8 6
A Q J 7 3
10

and your RHO opens 1C. While I consider this as a minimal overcall, it is a nice 1S bid. It robs your opponents of the 1 level, offers partner a reasonable lead, and you may be able to compete if partner has support. Your LHO makes a negative double to show hearts and partner raises to 2S. When RHO passes you must decide whether to bid further. What started out as a minimal overcall has grown MUCH better with support from partner. Even if partner only has 6 or 7 points game would be possible with the right cards. Here, if partner held Kxxx, xxx, Kx, xxxx, 4S would have excellent play. Thinking this, you bid 3D (forcing since we have agreed to play in spades). Partner jumps to 4S with his nice 10 count.

Q 9 x
A 9 7 5
8 6 2
A10 7 5

Your RHO rates to have most of the missing high cards and in fact the K of spades is on side as is the K of diamonds so all you need is careful timing to take 10 tricks in your long suits and 2 aces for 12 trricks. Sorry partner, we missed our 22 point slam! Surprisingly, only 2 pairs bid game on these cards! Be aggressive when you find a fit!