ACES ON BRIDGE

DEAR MR. WOLFF: With this hand: ♠ 3, ♥ K-105-4-2, ♦ A-J-7-2, ♣ K-Q-3, I opened one heart and heard two spades to my left, followed by a double from my partner; I then bid three diamonds. Now my partner bid three spades. What does that show, and what should I do? — Bumblepuppy, Ketchikan, Alaska DEAR READER: The three-spade call asks you to bid three no-trump, or it may be the first move in a slam try for diamonds. You can’t bid three no-trump, of course, but you can bid four clubs to suggest this shape (or even raise to four spades to emphasize the spade control).

DEAR MR. WOLFF: Say you deal yourself ♠ A-73, ♥ A-J-9-2, ♦ A-J-7-6-2,

♣ 10. If you open one diamond and hear a response of one spade, what options would you consider sensible?

— Brunhilda, Union City, Tenn. DEAR READER: You have a good but not great hand, with the right shape but not quite enough for a reverse to two hearts. Give yourself the diamond queen instead of those red jacks, and the aces might persuade me to do just that. Since you cannot repeat diamonds or bid no-trump, of course, you’re left with a slightly inelegant raise to two spades. The hand is a little strong for that, but you have only three trumps, so it feels about right.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: Please explain to me what a safety play in bridge consists of. I seem to see quite a few different plays described by that term.

— Taxi Driver, Pittsburgh, Pa. DEAR READER: There are two completely different plays lumped under the heading of “safety play.” The first (the one I normally mean) involves protecting yourself against an unkind distribution by a correct move. For example, with K-Q-9-2 facing A-8-7-4, you might start with the king to pick up a bare jack or 10 in either opponent’s hand. The second usage is like a gambit at chess: sacrificing a trick you may not have had to lose to ensure you don’t lose two tricks. With K-J-87-2 facing A-9-4, cashing the king and leading to the nine would be an example.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: You recently discussed this hand, where you heard partner double one diamond and a one-heart call to your right. With ♠ J-9-6, ♥ —-, ♦ Q-9-6-5-2, ♣A-10-8-5-2, you bid two clubs and heard partner bid two hearts. Why did you next bid two no-trump instead of three clubs?

— Gorgonzola, Sioux City, Iowa DEAR READER: I’d expect to be facing a 3-52-3 18-count or so. I don’t have any reason to repeat my clubs; partner knows I have them. Three no-trump could easily be making, but if my partner passes two notrump, would three clubs be better? I doubt it.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: I’ve received contradictory advice about how the defenders should signal at trick one when dummy has a singleton, after the lead of a high honor. When, if ever, is suit preference right? Are there other cases where it applies?

— Chump Change, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR READER: Briefly, when continuation of the suit led makes no sense, suit preference may apply. When continuation may be right, third hand should be able to signal for a continuation as well as giving suit preference. Also remember that if third hand knows declarer has a singleton or void in the led suit (and opening leader knows he knows), he may also be able to pass on a suit-preference message.