AcEs on BRiDgE

Dear Mr. Wolff:How strong does an unbalanced hand have to be before you would consider opening two clubs rather than one of a suit?

— Over the Line, Jackson, Tenn. ANSWER: Most unbalanced 22-counts should be opened two clubs unless there is a rebid problem. You might choose to open a 4-4-4-1 hand at the one-level, to preserve more bidding space. I would open one with some threesuited 21-point hands. In general, though, whenever you can imagine partner passing your opening bid on a hand with a queen where game would be making, you can sensibly open two clubs.

Dear Mr. Wolff:I recently picked up SPADES A-K-10, HEARTS A-8-5-32,

DIAMONDS 2, CLUBS A-10-8-3, vulnerable against not, and my right-hand opponent opened a strong no-trump in third seat. I overcalled two hearts, natural, and played there opposite a singleton. Should I have done something else? — Bad Suit, Janesville, Wis.

ANSWER: I would not overcall on such a bad suit, but it could easily be right to enter the auction since we might have a game. I might even try two clubs for the majors! But seriously, using a defense that allows you to bid two-suiters is a good idea. Woolsey, Meckwell and DONT all work fine.The guide at bit.ly/ AcesNTDef has all the details.

Dear Mr. Wolff:How strong would you expect partner to be for a cue bid of four hearts after your one-spade opening and an intervention of three hearts?

— Do or Die, Huntington, W.Va.

ANSWER: I think four hearts should show a full opener and at least some slam suitability. The reason is that the opener has no room below four spades to make a counter try. Thus, responder cannot be as wide-ranging as he might be for, say, a Jacoby two-no-trump response. If the cue bid were four clubs instead of four hearts, responder could have a bit less. I agree that this may force partner to jump to four spades on a wide range of hands.

Dear Mr. Wolff:One of my opponents in a recent teams match was laughing and joking a bit too much. Should I just ignore it, or could I ask them to stop? — Focus, Dover, Del.

ANSWER: Bridge is supposed to be fun, but it requires concentration. As such, most players remain respectfully silent during play. I think you have every right to ask your opponents to be quiet in this situation, but as always, you should do so politely.

Dear Mr. Wolff:What would be your opening bid with SPADES Q, HEARTS K-10-8, DIAMONDS A-7-4-2, CLUBS A-Q-8-5-4, in second chair at favorable vulnerability?

— No Rebid, Durango, Colo.

ANSWER: I do not believe in opening one no-trump here, even if I would be uncomfortably positioned after a oneclub opening and one-spade response. I’d much prefer my singleton honor to be the king. After a one-club opener and a one-spade response, two clubs would be too little, and I’d like a sixth card for that, while a two-diamond reverse would be too much. So I’d settle for a rebid of one no-trump. If you are considering opening one diamond and then rebidding two clubs, please take that idea and cast it aside with great force.

If you would like to contact Bobby Wolff, e-mail him at bobbywolff@mindspring.com. Copyright 2024, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS