Aces on Bridge
DEAR MR. WOLFF: If declarer puts a card on the table, then indicates he did not intend to play that card, what is the follow-up? Does it matter if the next hand follows suit before declarer picks it up?
— Fallen Angel
ANSWER: The difference between a dropped and played card is significant. Accidentally dropped cards can be retrieved by declarer with no penalty, but a played card cannot be retracted. In essence, unless a card falls out of declarer’s hand, it is generally deemed played. If the next hand has followed, I can’t see declarer being allowed to retract his card. Contrast the position for the defenders: If a defender holds a card so his partner can see it, it should be deemed played.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: Do you believe it is wise to preempt with a void on the side? Does it matter which seat you are in? And would you ever pre-empt with a good suit and a five-card side suit?
— Trouble With Tribbles
ANSWER: As long as you have a good six-card suit, I have no problem with a 6-4-3-0 shape, or even a weak five-card suit on the side. The critical issue is that your long suit is sound enough to play facing a small doubleton. The late Paul Trent gave his name to that style, but Zia Mahmood is also a big fan of it. opener — and what are the factors that control your choice?
— Taking the High Road, Albuquerque, N.M.
ANSWER: Most strong hands with a five-card minor and a four-card major start with the minor to set up a game force, since it generally allows you to bid your second suit economically. When, as here, you are borderline for a force to game, you could go either way. This is especially the case with a very good major, where a 4-3 fit might be right. I can see that it might be correct to respond one heart and try two no-trump over a one-spade or onediamond rebid from your partner.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: My partner frequently uses a short club opening bid in hopes of finding a fit in a major suit with as few as two cards in the suit. What would be the accepted minimum holding in a standard five-card major system to make such a bid? And should that influence our responding style?
— Little by Little
ANSWER: Playing standard, with 3-3 in the minors, I open one club regardless of suit quality. With 4-4, I open the better minor. Essentially, the onediamond opener always delivers four cards, unless it is precisely a 4=4=3=2 pattern. If you want to open one club with that shape, it really should not alter your constructive bidding. The hand comes up so rarely that you can essentially ignore the possibility partner has it.