ACES ON BRIDGE
Dear Mr. Wolff: What would you bid, in first position at game all, with: SPADES K-10, HEARTS K-8-6-5, DIAMONDS Q-5, CLUBS A-K-Q-4-3? — Modern Man, Elkhart, Ind.
ANSWER: I would open one notrump. With points in my doubletons, I consider this superior to opening one club and reversing into two hearts facing the expected response of one spade. It is unlikely we belong in a club game, and if we have a heart fit, partner can use Stayman. With king-jack-fourth in hearts and a doubleton jack in diamonds, you could tempt me to go the other way.
Dear Mr. Wolff: My partner opened two no-trump in a teams game, and I responded three clubs, five-card Stayman, with SPADES 7-6-4, HEARTS A-J-10-7, DIAMONDS J-8-7, CLUBS J-9-3. My partner bid three spades to show five, and I raised. Four spades went one down when the trumps lay badly, but three no-trump was makable. Did I do the wrong thing?
— Matter of Theory, Atlanta, Ga.
ANSWER: With enough values for game and soft cards in the minors, I would not be afraid to miss a spade fit on this hand. You might bid three clubs to probe for a 5-4 heart fit in your methods, but I would not want to play in spades even when facing a five-card suit. For what it is worth, I prefer straightforward four-card Stayman over two no-trump.
Dear Mr. Wolff: Recently, I psyched in an online game and, as per the rules, had to self-alert my call. Of course, I did not have what I said I had, and the opponents were upset. What am I supposed to do in this situation?
— First-hand, Monterey, Calif.
ANSWER: I would not recommend psyching in the first place, especially conventional bids, but I suppose if you want to and are playing online, you have little alternative but to describe your bid as it should be in the system. After all, to describe what you actually have would misinform your opponents as to what your partner would expect you to have.
Dear Mr. Wolff: Should I respond to partner’s opening one-spade bid with SPADES J-4, HEARTS 8-6-3, DIAMONDS A-8-7-6, CLUBS 10-8-7-3, at unfavorable vulnerability?
— Stretch Armstrong, Montreal
ANSWER: I would respond one notrump. My ace could prove to be enough for game, with people opening heavier and heavier at the one-level these days. The downside is that we may get too high, but I am willing to take that risk. It would be clear to respond if the vulnerabilities were reversed, not only because the cost of getting too high is reduced, but also to try and keep the opponents out. Take away the spade jack, and it is a toss-up.
Dear Mr. Wolff: What would you say is the main difference between a worldclass player and a mere expert?
— Upper Echelon, Miami, Fla.
ANSWER: I think the world-class player has finely honed their card-reading abilities and most areas of their bidding system. An expert may possess the same technical prowess but might struggle with some bidding subtleties and may not create as many losing options for their opponents. Temperament is also key.