ACES ON BRIDGE

DEARMR.WOLFF: Playing two-over-one game-forcing, I opened one spade, and my partner responded at the two-level in a suit (say diamonds) for which I had four-card support. When should I make a simple raise to three diamonds, and when should I bid four diamonds?

— Rumble Fish, Edmonton, Calgary DEAR READER: Many people would do more than make a simple raise when they have strong slam potential. The more sophisticated bidders play a jump in a new suit as a splinter — showing extras, with real support for partner and a singleton or void in the bid suit. If you play that way, a jump raise shows extras but denies side-suit shortage.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: My RHO opened two hearts, and I had K, A-3, A-Q-105-4, Q-7-6-3-2. I bid three notrump, intending it as unusual. My partner assumed I had a strong hand and jumped to six no-trump, which I managed to hold to down three. He opined that I could have doubled for takeout and forced a bid. I responded that since I did not do that, the bid must show something else. What do you think? — Robert the Bruce,

Durango, Colo. DEARREADER: A threeno-trump response shows more than 18 HCP, balanced, but is also consistent with a hand with a long suit. Doubling then bidding three no-trump is natural, but is a hand that is prepared to hear partner remove to a major. Note that notrump calls by a passed hand might be minors, and a jump to four no-trump is always for the minors. With your hand I’d bid three diamonds, followed by a call in clubs if I got the chance.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: When in a slam-going auction does a jump in a major to the five-level ask for something specific? My partner told me it always asks for good trumps. Is that right? — Bacon Burger,

Lakeland, Fla. DEAR READER: A jump to the five-level often asks for good trumps. However, if you are in a cue-bidding auction when there is one suit (or an opponent’s suit) that has not been cue-bid, the jump would ask for a first- or second-round control in that suit. And, rarely, the jump shows good trumps and nothing to cue-bid. Responder’s hand will normally tell him which.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: Should I pre-empt, pass, or open at the one-level with 10 or 11 points and a six-card suit? I know about using Marty Bergen’s Rule of 20. But Bergen says even if you can count to 20, you should still have a couple of quick tricks. Can you clarify this for me? — The Wonder Horse,

Augusta, Ga. DEAR READER: There are no cast-iron rules here, but when you have a good suit, open either one or two, but do not pass the hand. I try not to open at the one-level with marginal values and fewer controls than an ace and king. In second seat, your openings should be sounder than elsewhere.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: What is the minimum shape on which you should make a takeout double of an opening minor suit? Can you do it on a completely balanced hand? — Slightly Unbalanced,

Rockford, Ill. DEAR READER: With a full opener but not enough for a one-no-trump overcall, it is just fine to double with a 4-33-3 hand, or even a hand 4-4 in the majors and a doubleton in the other minor. It will occasionally lead to a huge penalty, but will generally let your side into the auction safely.