Sure I have a stop

Bidding NT without a stop always holds an amount of risk. How much risk depends on the auction. 1NT - 3NT not much risk. When they've overcalled lots of risk. Risk isn't a bad thing outright, balanced risk is the key.

But what is a stop anyway?

♠	K
♥	A Q 9 6
♦	K J 8 6 5 4
♣	T 9

I started out with a 1♦ call which drew a 1♠ overcall. When partner bid 2♠ showing a balanced force and asking for a stop I couldn't resist. Sure they might lead the Ace but in the real world I have a stop. Partner might even put down a Jack third and then we have a real stop. Unfortunately for me West didn't do what they were supposed to. Instead of casting out a small spade as convention might dictate they cashed the K♣:

	♠ 7 6 3 2 ♥ K 8 4 ♦ A Q T 3 ♣ Q J
♠ A J 9 8 5 ♥ J 5 2 ♦ - ♣ A K 6 3 2		♠ Q T 4 ♥ T 7 3 ♦ 9 7 2 ♣ 8 7 5 4
	♠ K ♥ A Q 9 6 ♦ K J 8 6 5 4 ♣ T 9

Between Easts 4♣ and my 9♣ West thought it correct to continue. The hand fell to pieces a bit here and all told I tallied only 3 tricks.