Question:
I held the following North hand and opened 1 Diamond. Partner responded 1 Heart. We ended in 4 Hearts making 5 when most opponents were in 4 Spades making 6. My partner and I want to know if the 1 Heart bid is correct.
Answer:
First, in responding to an opening bid, always bid your longer suit. Then, show any second suit, if your HCP allows it.
If you hold 5-5 distribution, always bid the higher suit first, then bid the lower suit. If you bid the second suit twice, then you are showing 5-5 distribution. If you bid the lower suit first and then the higher suit, you are showing a hand with a longer lower suit and a shorter higher suit. So, if you bid the lower suit, then the higher suit twice, you are showing 6 cards in the lower suit (longer suit) and 5 cards (shorter suit) in the higher suit. I hope this helps.