Aces on Bridge

Dear Mr. Wolff:

I have noticed that a lot of pairs are playing transfers over a one- club opening now. How would you defend against them?

— Transfer the Blame, San Francisco

Answer: The most common treatment is to play a double as showing the values for an overcall in the suit bid, and completing their transfer as a takeout of the suit shown. Indeed, this is a good principle for defending against all types of transfers. Importantly, play all other calls, including one no-trump and a jump in their suit, as natural.

Dear Mr. Wolff: I recently held ♠ J-9-8-4, ♥ K-10-98-3, ♦ K- Q-5, ♣ 3. At game all, it went: two passes to my left-hand opponent, who opened a strong club, partner overcalled one spade, and my right-hand opponent passed. What would you bid here?

— Obstruction, Bellevue, Washington

Answer: I think three spades is the best call. We are not really looking for game after a strong one club, so pre- empting should be the priority. Three hearts as a fit jump is an alternative, but gives them a little bit more room and overstates the quality of the hearts — if only by a fraction. As a passed hand, you cannot have only hearts and not have opened the suit.

Dear Mr. Wolff: While playing online, I have noticed that some of my opponents do not bother alerting their artificial bids. How am I supposed to know what they mean?

— Curious Cath, Elkhart, Indiana

Answer: You can always ask via a chat function (or by clicking on the bid in question when playing on Bridge Base Online). Of course, your opponents should alert without a prompt, but most players are used to alerting their partner’s bids, not their own. Also, it is harder to concentrate when playing online, so everyone should be granted a little leeway.

Dear Mr. Wolff: When the opponents have bid two suits and our side has the power for game, how can we ask for a stopper in each suit?

— Trouble in Paradise, Kansas City, Missouri

Answer: When they have shown only one suit, cuebidding that suit asks for a stopper. When they have shown two suits, cuebidding shows a stopper and usually denies a stop in the other suit. Without a stopper in either, I suppose you would have to make a waiting move or go past three no-trump.

Dear Mr. Wolff: What would you open with this monster: A-K-10-7-5-3, ♥ Q, ♦ A-J-7, A-K-8 in second position?

— Start Slow, Springfield, Massachusetts

Answer: This is on the cusp of a two- club opening. Give me the spade jack, and I would go high, if only to simplify the auction. With this hand, one spade seems enough, intending to force in one of the minors if partner does not support my suit. Partners are apt to respond very light these days, so there is little chance of one spade being passed out. You might open two clubs facing a passed partner.