Aces on Bridge

Dear Mr. Wolff: You hold

♠ A-K-Q-4, ♥ J-5, ♦ A-Q7-5-4, ♣ 8-6 and hear your right-hand opponent open two hearts, weak. What would you bid?

— Likely Game, Huntington, West Virginia

Answer: You could overcall three diamonds, but that might preclude finding a spade fit. Partner will not introduce a poor four-card spade suit over that. So I would make a takeout double in order to locate a 4-4 spade fit and reach the most likely game of four spades. If partner bids a Lebensohl two no-trump over the double, some (including me) play that a call of three diamonds shows this sort of hand. If partner bids three clubs as a natural positive, you can bid a natural and forcing three diamonds.

Dear Mr. Wolff: My partner likes to play his cards very quickly. Do you think this is a clever idea?

— Each to Their Own, Newport News, Virginia

Answer: There are advantages and disadvantages. Playing at a quick tempo will often induce error from the opponents, who might try to keep up. On the other hand, bridge is a thinking game and your partner may miss things he otherwise would not with due consideration. Perhaps it comes down to whatever he is comfortable with, but it is certainly reasonable to ask him to slow down in defense if it is affecting you.

Dear Mr. Wolff: How long does your suit need to be to bid it in response to partner's one-level overcall?

— Matter of Style, Jackson, Tennessee

Answer: At the two-level or higher, you need at least a five-card suit. At the one-level, I would say it is a matter of agreement. Most would say any five-card suit should suffice, while as a passed hand you may be able to introduce a good four-card major. These calls may be played either as constructive or forcing, depending on taste.

Dear Mr. Wolff: How would you bid this hand facing a strong no-trump opening: ♠ K-6-5, ♥ ---, ♦ 8-7-2, ♣ A-K-Q-10-9-7-4?

— Under Control, Rockford, Illinois

Answer: Start by using your partnership methods to transfer to clubs, and then follow up with three hearts to show short hearts. This gives a good description of your hand and will leave partner well-positioned to make a choice-of-games (or even a slam) decision. If he bids three no-trump, I would make one slam try of four clubs and be prepared to stop in four no-trump. I might also consider jumping to four hearts over the three-club response by my partner if I were sure this would show a void.

Dear Mr. Wolff: How often do you think you should run when you have been doubled in a part-score?

— S.O.S., Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Answer: Sometimes, there is nowhere to run, but I would say the lower the level at which you have been doubled, the more often you should look elsewhere. The classic case is when the opponents convert a takeout double of a one-level opening. Here, you should pass only if you have long and strong trumps. Anytime the trump stack is sitting over your suit or your partner's suit, try to escape if you can.