This conundrum was written by Barbara Seagram's and was originally published in the book Barbara's Bridge Tips - you can find out all about it further down the page.
Hand 4
Your partner has opened with 1NT. Your right-hand opponent has over-called 2♦. Your turn.
You have two four-card majors, but the opponent’s overcall has taken away your Stayman 2♣ bid. In order to use Stayman now, you must bid the suit the opponents have bid (3♦ in this case). Bidding 3♣ here would be natural: it would show 10+ HCP and five or more clubs. You had best have at least 10 HCP to make this cuebid because if opener does not have a major, then he will have to bid 3NT in response. You only need to have one four-card major to use Stayman in this situation.
Hand 5
Your partner has opened the bidding with 1♠. Your bid.
Bid 1NT. The response of 1NT by the responder to a 1♥ or 1♠ opening bid does not promise a balanced hand at all. It merely says you have 6-9 points and no support for partner’s major*. It is tempting to bid 2♥ in response to partner’s 1♠ opening bid but you do not have permission to do that with only 6-9 points.
Hand 6
You’re the dealer. What’ll it be?
Pass. You must not open with a weak two-bid when you have a side four-card major (unless partner is a passed hand). Same applies if you have a 7-4 hand. The reason is that if your partner should also happen to have a four-card major that matches your four-card major, then that is probably the suit in which you wish to play — you might even make game. When you open with a weak two or a preemptive three-bid as dealer, you are promising that you do not hold a side four-card major.
Whether you have been playing for a while or you're not very experienced, this book will help you to move your game up to the next level. The tips cover all aspects of bridge - bidding, play and defense. Advice and examples are drawn from material Barbara Seagram has developed for her students over the last twenty years - it's like having your own personal bridge coach sitting beside you!
Surely hand 4 is a double. Why would on pass the opportunity to penalize if partner has good diamonds, no fit. Say:
S: K93
H: A92
D: QJT96
C: KQJ
Potentially declarer can be limited to C Ace and 3 Trumps...
Double does in no way prevent us getting to 3NT or 4 major if that is needed. It's just giving us an additional option to score.
Well ok, that was supposed to contain 1 less card in the Majors...