1. Two no-trump. The only bids that can be seriously considered are one spade and two no-trump. There are several objections to the one-spade bid. First, there is the danger that partner might pass with four or five points, and a good game contract might be missed. Then the possibility that partner might respond one no-trump, which you would have to raise to three no-trump — a contract that would probably play better with the strong hand as declarer.
Also, there is the natural ambiguity associated with any opening of one of a suit.
As opposed to this, the two-no-trump bid delivers a precise message all in one breath. It shows 21 or 22 points (some play 20 or 21), balanced distribution and stoppers in all suits — which is exactly what you have.
2. One spade. After opening with one spade, you intend to bid your hearts twice, thereby implying at least a 5-5 distribution. You do this even though the hearts are much stronger than the spades.
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If you were to bid hearts first and then follow up by bidding spades twice, you would mislead partner on two counts: First, he would assume that you had six hearts and five spades. Secondly, because such a sequence would constitute a "reverse," indicating 17 points or more, partner would assume you had a much stronger hand than you actually have.
3. One club. While it is true that the higher ranking of two five-card suits is ordinarily named first when opening the bidding, as in the previous problem, an exception is usually made when the two suits are spades and clubs.
The reason for the exception becomes apparent when the rebid problem is considered. If you were to open one spade, it would be necessary to go into the three level to show your clubs if partner responded two hearts or two diamonds.
By opening one club, the spade suit can next be shown on the one level if partner makes the expected response of one diamond or one heart. At that moment, partner will think you have only four spades, but you plan to bid spades again at your next turn. At the same time, this will tell him that you have five or six clubs, since you would not have opened one club with a holding of five spades and only four clubs.
