ACES ON BRIDGE

DEAR MR. WOLFF: Vulnerable against not, I dealt and passed, holding ; Q-5-3,

k K-7-5-2, l A-Q-8, ' 10-8-3. When my RHO opened one club in fourth chair, I doubled to show I had a maximum pass. Was that action unduly aggressive? My partner certainly thought I needed more shape, though playing two diamonds down a trick actually scored us reasonably enough.

— Fearless Fred, Perth Amboy, N.J. DEAR READER: It is certainly wrong to double as a passed hand just to show points — after all, your partner could not bid in third chair, where he would surely have found a reason to bid with shape. And if he does have enough shape and points for it to be your deal, he might act of his own volition on his next turn. Bottom line: Only bid here with shape, not just a maximum pass.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: Has there been any progress in getting bridge into the Olympic movement? Is the struggle worth the manpower and resources? — Seeking the Rings,

White Plains, N.Y. DEAR READER: Linking bridge to sport has led in some countries to government funding, and official recognition, which can only serve to help to increase bridge’s popularity. My view of the best way to sell bridge is to go through the school system. But some success has been seen in getting bridge into the 2018 Asian Games. We must watch this space to see what consequences that will have.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: Playing matchpoint pairs, I was in third seat looking at

; Q-10-8, k J-7-5-4, l K-103, ' K-Q-4. When my partner opened one club, I chose to conceal my weak hearts and invite game with a call of two no-trump, since I had no ruffing value and wanted to hide my hand type if we did end up in no-trump. My decision worked reasonably, since the defenders allowed me to make the same number of tricks in no-trump as I would have made in our 4-4 heart fit, but how would you bid my hand? — Caught Off Base,

Grenada, Miss. DEAR READER: I do not blame you for bidding two no-trump, even though

you may be playing against the field here. As long as your partner will not get upset, you should do what you think is right. But if that approach keeps failing, then maybe you should revert to a less idiosyncratic approach.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: Please suggest an approach for describing two-suited hands over opponents’ twoor three-level pre-empts. Is it right to use a cue-bid for any two-suited hand or specifically the majors?

— I Like Mike, Willoughby, Ohio DEAR READER: A simple scheme is to play that the cue-bid of a major shows the other major and a minor, while the cue-bid of a minor shows both majors. Jumps to four of a minor show that minor and a major after the opponents’ opening bid of two diamonds, two hearts, two spades or three clubs. It is possible to go even further and give up on playing a simple overcall of four of a minor over a three-level pre-empt as natural. If you are interested, details are at: bit.ly/2lsbo7U.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: What are the rules for when a player opens out of turn with a bid? — Misplaced Modifier,

Durham, N.C. DEAR READER: A player’s call is canceled if he bids out of turn when he was third or fourth to speak, and the auction reverts to the real dealer. While the offender may bid what he likes, the offender’s partner must pass throughout, and there may also be lead penalties if you end up on defense. A second-seat opening will escape any penalty if dealer passes. Otherwise, the penalty reverts to what was described above, namely you silence your partner and may incur lead penalties.