Aces on Bridge
DEAR MR. WOLFF: In these days of aggressive preempts, when is it right to go low, and when to try for game? Specifically, facing a nonvulnerable threeclub call in first seat, what would you do with SPADES K-10-2, HEARTS K-Q-76, DIAMONDS A-Q-7-4, CLUBS J-4? When my partner opened three clubs at favorable vulnerability, what action would you advise? — Playing Safe
ANSWER: This is more about style than anything else. It is not clear that you will make game facing any seven-card club suit without the ace, and even if your partner has that card and clubs run for one loser, either spades or hearts might prove vulnerable. At this vulnerability, I would pass facing any but the soundest of pre-empters.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: Where does the ACBL currently stand in terms of international bridge? When was the last time we won a major world title, and who are the up-and-coming stars? — Jingle Bells
ANSWER: The open team won the last world championship, and the juniors have a very strong crop, but our women’s team seems to be at a slight ebb. That said, Sylvia Shi has just moved from the juniors to the women’s team, and I expect great things of her. In the junior game, two strong pairs I know are Ben Kristensen and Kevin Rosenberg, and Adam and Zach Grossack.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: Recently you ran a deal showing a hand on which you advocated using “Crawling Stayman.” How would you handle a similar situation holding the same distribution of 4-5 in the majors, but with approximately invitational values — say about an 8-count?
— Majority Rules
ANSWER: For completeness, let me first address hands with game-going values and 5-4 in the majors. Stayman, then jumping (over a twodiamond response) in the four-card major gets you to the 5-3 fit — if there is one — transferred to the stronger hand. This approach is known as Smolen. If you wish to invite game, start with Stayman, but then you might follow up with two no-trump. Transferring to hearts, then bidding spades is played as invitational by some.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: What is the rule about overcalling one no-trump over a short club or Precision one diamond, which might be only two cards? Specifically, what is the critical factor in terms of stoppers in their suit, or even concealing a five-card major of your own?
— Winning Ugly
ANSWER: I draw the line at concealing a good fivecard major in a no-trump overcall, especially if my stopper in the suit they have named is weak. But sometimes (especially over a two-card minor), I might overcall one no-trump with a balanced hand and three small in their suit. Let them work out what to lead — the price of their ambiguous opening call.