Aces on Bridge

Dear Mr. Wolff:

When we were all stuck at home due to the pandemic, my group of friends took to playing online at BridgeBaseOnline, but so far we have only managed to play pairs games. Is there any way to set up a teams match?

— Bridge Base, Springfield, Ohio

Answer: Yes, there are all sorts of different games available on BBO. To create a teams match, go into the “competitive” section. You and your friends could even enter tournaments if you are feeling adventurous. The ACBL runs various events, as do many clubs across the country, in lieu of face-to-face meetings. Supporting your club will help them financially in these tough times.

Dear Mr. Wolff: I have heard some players discussing equal-level conversion. What is that? — Stick or Twist, Calgary, Alberta

Answer: Traditionally, when you double a suit opening and then bid a new suit of your own, you are showing a strong hand. Advocates of equallevel conversion play that a double followed by bidding two diamonds over a two- club response shows five cards in that suit and four in a higher suit and promises nothing more than a minimum double. This would not apply if you bid one spade in response to a double of a red suit and your partner bid two clubs, though, since two clubs is not at the same level as one spade.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Do you ever lead the nine from an honor-nine- eight holding? — Follow the Leader, Bay City, Michigan

Answer: Usually, no. It can be right to lead the nine from a holding like jack-nine- eight, so as to surround dummy’s 10, but this can cause confusion when you normally lead the nine from shortness. By all means, agree to lead the nine from honornine- eight, but I would say only against no-trump.

Dear Mr. Wolff: I recently picked up ♠♥ 7, A-9-2, ♦ A-K-10-6, ♣ K-Q-7-6-3at unfavorable vulnerability. My right-hand opponent opened a weak two hearts as dealer. What would you do?

— Come Unstuck, Walnut Creek

Answer: Passing could miss a game if partner has some heart length, so I would take a bid. Two notrump is a possibility, but that would risk partner’s reaching for the stars in spades. I think three clubs is the least bad bid. Incidentally, if doubled in three clubs, I would run to three diamonds.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Say you hold ♠ K-6-5-3, ♥ J- 4,

♦ K-10, ♣ A- Q-9-7-3. Partner opens a strong no-trump, and you bid Stayman, only to hear partner deny a major. What now?

— Scientific Approach, Union City, Tennessee

Answer: The simple option is to bid three no-trump. But I would seriously consider bidding three clubs, natural and forcing to game. Initially, this is just looking for the right strain. We could easily be off the whole heart suit in three no-trump, so I think it is right to go slow. If partner bids three diamonds, I will bid three spades. Partner may instead bid three no-trump at his third turn, which I will pass, or four clubs, which I will raise to five.