ACES ON BRIDGE

DEAR MR. WOLFF: I had a disagreement with my partner over a recent hand. He opened one diamond, the hand to my right overcalled one spade, I raised to two diamonds and my lefthand opponent competed to two spades. My partner then bid three clubs. How good a hand should that show?

— In Competition, Huntington, W.V.

DEAR READER: Three clubs need not show a full-blooded game try. After all, you have not gone past three diamonds yet. It should promise something in the way of extra shape or values, though, in an attempt to help you decide what to do over three spades. When (as here) there is only one suit call available to show extras, the message it sends is ambiguous.

DEAR MR. WOLFF:

I like to play two-over-one in my serious partnerships, but I have yet to find a good meaning for a jump to three no-trump in an auction that starts, for example, one heart - two diamonds - two hearts. What do you think?

— Jump the Gun, Palm Springs, Calif.

DEAR READER: While a lot of pairs play jumps to game in forcing auctions as weak in context, per the Principle of Fast Arrival, that does not apply in notrump. It is more useful to split the various ranges responder can have. Three no-trump is best used to show 15-17 points and convertible values — a doubleton heart in your auction. With more points, or fewer, or no suitability for hearts, you can go slow with two no-trump. Hands with 18 or more can bid two no-trump, then bid on at their next turn.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: I have noticed a growing popularity in serious tournaments of the Multi two-diamond opening, showing a weak two in either major. How would you recommend we defend against it? — Multi Madness, Twin Falls, Idaho

DEAR READER: Just bid naturally, except double, which most play as 13-15 points balanced or a very strong hand. Most initial doubles can sensibly be played as takeout. My readers will not have to worry about encountering it except at top-level events.

DEAR MR. WOLFF:

During a recent teams match, my partner criticized my play in a game contract. I did realize that what he said was correct, but I was still taken aback. Am I being too sensitive? — No Coaching, San Antonio, Texas

DEAR READER: Your partner was probably emotional, but he was still out of line. Such behavior is contrary to bridge etiquette and only serves to encourage the opposition. In my opinion, unless there is a system malfunction that needs to be sorted out before it damages your chances in the rest of the set, no words should be exchanged between partners after any deal. Comments can wait until the end of the set.

DEAR MR. WOLFF:

What would you open in third seat, everyone vulnerable, with ♠ 4, ♥ K-10-2, ♦ A-K-9-8-6-4-3, ♣ 10-8? — Set the Tone, Kansas City, Mo.

DEAR READER: It is just one diamond for me. Our side could still make three no-trump. A preemptive three diamonds is certainly an option, holding shortness in the boss suit, but partner will not be expecting this much. Still, I admit that preempting could make the opponents’ lives much harder. If you would like to contact Bobby Wolff, email him at