ACES ON BRIDGE

DEAR MR. WOLFF:

What is the percentage play for three tricks with 10-8-4-2 opposite A-J-7-3?

— Close Call, Monterey, Calif. DEAR READER: It may seem intuitive to finesse the seven on the first round, playing second hand for K-9-x or Q-9-x, but K-x or Q-x is just as likely. In that case, you need to finesse the jack, and you also pick up K-Q-x onside this way. You cannot prevail against K-9-6-5 or Q-9-6-5 unless you start with the 10, thereby losing out to a singleton honor onside. If second hand plays an honor, win with the ace and lead the jack. Give yourself the sixspot as well, and the position changes, but we will discuss that another day.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: You hold ; J-5-4, k K-7-6-3-2, l Q-5, ' Q-9-3 and hear partner open one diamond. The next player overcalls one spade, and you double. The bidding continues three spades - four hearts - four spades, back to you. You are vulnerable against not. What now?

— High Level, Vancouver, British Columbia

DEAR READER: I would bid five hearts on the strength of my extra trump and my diamond filler. Based on the auction, partner must have short spades, so he has real diamonds, and my cards should fit well with his. It could even be that four spades is making.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: How good should my suit be for a three-level preempt?

— Color Coded, Grand Forks, N.D. DEAR READER: Vulnerability and position are critical. Bear in mind that preempts are obstructive by nature. If you are in second seat, the theory goes that you are preempting only one opponent for the price of one partner, so your suit should be good enough for him to be able to bid game with some confidence, something like K-J-10-x-x-x-x at least. In third position, when partner is a passed hand, anything goes. J-10-x-x-x-x would be enough for some when non-vulnerable. As dealer, find a suitable middle ground between these two extremes. When vulnerable, the standards go up in all seats.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: My right-hand opponent opened two spades, and I held ; K-4, k K, l A-K-J-7-3, ' A-K-J-5-3. I had no clue what to bid. What would you do? — Preempts Work,

Muncie, Ind. DEAR READER: I am loath to bid four no-trump for the minors, taking us past our most likely game of three no-trump, but a takeout double would surely see partner bid hearts. I would make the practical call of three notrump, knowing this could end up looking silly.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: A hot-button topic at this year’s U.S. international trials was the application of slow play penalties. They cost the Levine team the victory in their semifinal match against Fleisher. What is your take on this? Were the penalties too harsh? — Rules Are Rules,

Dayton, Ohio DEAR READER: It is sad when matches are decided by the law book rather than by the bridge results, but there is not much the directors can do. The regulations were laid out before the event. Perhaps they did not give enough allowance in the case of Mike Levine, who is visually impaired, for playing with tablets. The best the U.S. Federation can do now is rectify the problem for next time.