THE ACES

When would you open a weak two in fourth seat? I can understand that you would pass most hands with 8 points. What would you open, if anything, in fourth seat with J-10-7-3, A-K-10-9-32, —, Q-10-3?

dcshMy two-bids in fourth chair start at 9 points. A two-spade opening with ace-king-jack-sixth and an additional minor honor is probably a dead minimum. Your example looks like a two-heart opener. We might belong in spades, but I’d be willing to take my chances on that.

I know Lebensohl applies as a way to compete when the opponents overcall over a strong no-trump. Are there other applications of this convention that we should be playing?

Yes, indeed! Once you have bought into the concept, use it after reverses or when responding to the takeout double of a weak two. It can also be employed when partner opens, then balances with a double of a two-level overcall or jump overcall. Finally, you can (with some caution) use it after partner doubles a one-level opener and the opponents raise that suit. See Extended Lebensohl and Blackout at www.acblunit390.org/Simon/ Extended%20Lebensohl.htm.

I am returning to bridge after an extended hiatus. I suspect my methods 30 years ago are out of date. What approach is standard?

I believe almost everywhere in the world new players are taught five-card majors, and to open 12-counts rather than waiting for 13-point hands. In turn, that fits best with 15-17 for the no-trump range. I’d recommend learning from the ACBL free teaching tool at www.acbl.org/ learn_page/learn-to-play-bridgesoftware/.

What happens when a tournament director gives a decision at the table that appears to you to be wrong or unfair? Is there a right of appeal, or is a director’s ruling final?

I believe there is always a right of appeal against a director ruling, except where that ruling is a matter of law rather than interpretation. For example, you cannot appeal a penalty for a revoke, no matter how unfair or inequitable you think it is. But you should chat to your club director (or an impartial expert) before doing anything dramatic.