Hand 280 — Higher ranking major

Play this hand
Dealer
N
User Side
E/W
Contract
3NT
Declarer
W
Tricks Makeable
9
Recommended Lead
2D
Vulnerability
System
SAYC

Planning

With 2 equal length majors, open the higher ranking with 12 - 15 points. With 16 and above, open with the lower. That is because when you show the second major with your next bid, partner can correct from hearts to spades at the same level. The correction from spades to hearts takes the bidding to the next level, and tells the bidder that you have a 16+ point hand.

The Deal

North
10 5
J 10 4
A 10 6 2
8 6 5 2
West
Q 6
A 5
K 5 3
K J 10 9 7 3
East
A K 7 4 3
Q 9 8 6 3
Q 4
Q
South
J 9 8 2
K 7 2
J 9 8 7
A 4
North: 5 HCP, 2-3-4-4 (bal)
East: 13 HCP, 5-5-2-1
South: 9 HCP, 4-3-4-2 (bal)
West: 13 HCP, 2-2-3-6

Bidding Sequence

N E S W
Pass1SPass2C
Pass2HPass3NT
PassPassPass

Final Comments

In 3no-trumps we first count our winners.
3 spades
1 heart
1 diamond
5 clubs
That is 10 tricks off the top.
Extra tricks:- if the spades break 3/3, if the KH is in north hand, If the opponents lead up to the AD.