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It's a frequent scenario - responder supports opener's major suit by raising to the 2 level. Holding 19-21 points, opener can easily jump to game; with a minimum 12-14 point values, opener quickly passes. Bidding basics recommends raising the major to the 3 level holding a medium hand (15-18 points). Let's look at a few examples of opener's hand:

A K 4 3 2   5 4 3 2   K 5   3 2  7 LTC

A K 4 3 2   A 4 3 2   K 5   3 2  6 LTC

A K Q 3 2   A Q 2   K 5 4   3 2  5 LTC

Over time, we have learned the value of using various game trial bids to improve accurate game bidding. From a Losing Trick Count perspective, opener's game try is applicable holding 6 LTC; pass with 7 LTC, jump to game with 5 LTC - regardless of high card points. Why? We need 10 tricks to make game. When responder makes a major suit raise (including a "constructive raise" holding 8-10 points), responder's hand typically covers 1 or 2 of opener's losers - see Cover Cards. But that's not enough to make game, falling 1-2 tricks short. That's where game trial bids come into play, providing methods to discover hands when responder's shape and strength provides the critical third cover card.

The "Kokish" Game Try convention offers several unique techniques for the 6 LTC opener to explore game, including: short suit game try (new suit bid at 3 level), asking bid help-suit game try (responder identifies help suit), and trump suit game try

A K 4 3 2   A 4 3 2   K 5   3 2  6 LTC

Here's an illustrative example where responder's hand complements opener's 6 LTC (above):

10 9 8   K Q 5   A 7 6   7 6 5 4

Using the Kokish ask (trump suit + 1), bidding goes:

1S - 2S;
2N - 3H;    Responder offers help in Hearts
4S          Opener accepts

The above example is not particularly dramatic - 
opener has 16 HCP and responder has 9 HCP.  Here's 
a second example (same bidding) underscoring the 
importance of responder's help suit to find 
game on fewer points:

A K Q 4 3 2   K 4 3 2   3 2   3 2

10 9 8 7   A 5   A 6 5 4   6 5 4 3

What, we are going to discuss forcing bids for intermediate and advanced players? Well, there are some sequences that occasionally trip up a player so perhaps the premiere issue of BridgeHands is the ideal time to confirm your partnership agreements.

(P) - P - (P) - 2S
Some partners play fourth seat 2 level to show an intermediate hand with a good suit, perhaps 6-7 LTC

P - 1H;
2S
Partner passes but then jumps in a new suit - perhaps playing a fit-showing jump

P - 1S;
2C - 2D;
Playing Reverse Drury, 2D promises an opening hand, but what else?

1C - 1D;
1H - 1S/2S;
Natural or Fourth Suit Forcing (artificial)? The answer probably depends on "which side of the pond" you reside.

1C - 1D;
1H - 3C; Forcing or invitational? Check your agreements.

1D - 1S;        1D - 1S;
1N - 3S;        1N - 2C;
                2D - 3S;

This one also depends on your methods. If partnership plays New Minor Forcing, this sequence is often played as invitational; first going through NMF would then be game forcing. In fact, the New Minor Forcing convention has many possible permutations worthy of discussion (interference, passed hand bidding based on Notrump range, etc)

1D - 1S;
2H
Most agree opener's reverse bid is one round forcing (also see Lebensohl over reverses)

1D - 1S;
2N - 3S;
After opener's jump rebid showing strength, responder's bid is game forcing.

(1C) - P - (P) - 2N;
2N is strongly invitational (not Unusual Notrump).

A unusual auction?

1D - 1H;
1S - 1N;
2C - 3H!;

What in the world does 3H show here? Right, this is a Bluhmer, showing a big fit in partner's last bid suit (Clubs here) - it says nothing about the responder's Heart suit. Notice the criteria for the Bluhmer:
1. Responder has denied extra length in suit initially bid suit, typically making a balancing rebid
2. Opener makes a third suit re-rebid, showing shortness in responder's suit
3. Responder belatedly rebids a once-bid suit; thus the re-rebid is conventional.