Aces on Bridge

Dear Mr. Wolff:

How aggressively should I be looking to come in when the opponents have found a fit? Take this hand: ♠ 4,

♥ K-Q-10-6-5, ♦ Q-J-4-2, ♣ 10-9-2. At game all, my left-hand opponent opened opened one spade in third chair and right-hand opponent bid two clubs, Drury, showing a good hand with a spade fit. I bid two hearts for the lead, and to compete the part-score, but lefty doubled, and I went for 800against a doubtful spade game. Did I do too much?

— Action Man, Muncie, Indiana

Answer: It is safer to bid when the opponents have found a fit. Not only are they less likely to penalize you when they have a real fit, but your partner is more likely to have support for you. I think two hearts is a perfectly worthwhile risk and would surely do this myself, regardless of the result.

Dear Mr. Wolff: My partner recently lambasted me for raising his run-out suit after I opened one notrump and the next hand doubled. I had four-card support, but my partner had only four, and the opponents duly punished us. Should I be passing with that type of hand?

— In Charge, Honolulu, Hawaii

Answer: The old theory goes that your partner knows what you have and ought to be in control of developments. So I would not raise unless the opponents have competed over me and I have a suitable hand. Some players have even been known to rescue themselves to short suits in this sort of situation, planning a redouble.

Dear Mr. Wolff: One pair at my local club openly criticize each other after almost every hand. It is very off-putting. Is there anything we can do?

— Gamesmanship, Kansas City, Missouri

Answer: Players should behave themselves at the bridge table and try to make the experience a pleasant and sociable one for all involved, especially at club level. i would try to find a tactful moment to ask that they be more respectful of each other. Or, if necessary, ask the director for help.

Dear Mr. Wolff: I saw a deal on Vugraph the other day where one player opened two diamonds with six hearts. His partner seemed to work out what he had, but is this legal?

— Pass or Correct,

Anchorage, Alaska

Answer: A multi twodiamond opening usually denotes a weak hand with either major and can be combined with using two of a major to show two-suited hands. These methods are not legal in the ACBL in regular club games but are very common all over the world everywhere else.

Dear Mr. Wolff: I held ♠ A-K-Q-3, ♥ 7-5-3, ♦ 9-52, ♣ 6-5-4, not vulnerable against vulnerable opposition, and heard my partner open three clubs in second seat. The next hand doubled. What say you?

— Simple and Effective,

Danville, Illinois

Answer: I would raise to four clubs, taking up some space to make it harder for the opponents to find their right game. I could bid three spades for the lead, but that would backfire if the opponents were about to play in that strain, or if my partner chose to raise spades. As a passed hand, I might risk three spades for the lead.