Aces on Bridge
DEAR MR. WOLFF: Over partner’s opening bid of one diamond, if responder bids two clubs and opener now bids two of a major, does that reverse show extra values? — Second City, Rockford, Ill.
ANSWER: It is a personal choice, but I recommend that rebidding diamonds shows an unbalanced hand with five or more diamonds. A major suit shows reversing shape and some extras, while two no-trump and three clubs are natural, the latter guaranteeing four trumps or a semi-balanced hand. You may have to fib if your hand is unsuitable for a rebid of two no-trump.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: A recent Sunday column had one person ask after describing their hand, which included a singleton: “Would you open a strong no-trump since the ACBL has approved such actions?” What does this mean, and what did they approve? — Hall of Fame, Dallas, Texas
ANSWER: A partnership agreement to open one no-trump with a singleton high honor was previously not legal — and also not very sensible, in my mind. Now the first half of that statement is no longer the case. Opening one no-trump with 15-17 and a high singleton honor is no longer frowned upon — except by me.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: If, after I open and my partner responds at the one-level, I then jump to two no-trump (showing 18-19 points and a balanced hand), can my partner then use Stayman or Jacoby transfers?
— Asking Shark, Riverside, Calif.
ANSWER: Many people by agreement DO play transfers here after opener shows real extras with a rebid of two no-trump, when responder has bid a suit at the one-level or has bid one no-trump. Even though one major may already have been mentioned, you get to stop at the three-level, show support with or without extras and offer a choice of game efficiently. It is always good for responder to be able to do so facing a balanced hand. Playing a version of Wolff sign-off plus three diamonds as a checkback accomplishes almost everything; but see bit.ly/ AoBOpenerRebids for more discussions.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: How would you bid this hand: SPADES Q-J-9-6, HEARTS A-J-94-3-2, DIAMONDS K-4, CLUBS 2, opposite a strong no-trump, assuming that Stayman, Jacoby, Texas Transfers and Smolen are all in your toolbox?
— Handy Dandy,
Miami, Fla.
ANSWER: This is a hand with slam interest where we need to consult partner. I would use Stayman, and if I found a fit, I would make a splinter raise to four clubs. If I did not find a major, I would bid three spades (Smolen) to show five-plus hearts and four spades, planning to show my sixth heart over three no-trump. After that start, it’s up to partner to decide whether slam seems appealing.