ACES ON BRIDGE
DEAR MR. WOLFF: How do you feel about preempting with length in an unbid major?
— Roguish Ron, Summit, N.J.
DEAR READER: I try to avoid it when I am acting in front of partner, i.e., he has not passed yet. Otherwise, we might miss a game in a major fit. In third seat, I have no such qualms. However, if the major suit is poor or the long suit nearly self-sufficient, I might preempt in any position. In other words, four cards to the jack or lower does not constitute a four-card suit.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: My partner held ; A-10-7-5-4, k 4-2, l 4, ' A-K-8-7-2. I opened one diamond, he bid one spade, and I rebid two clubs. He now bid two hearts, fourth-suit-forcing, followed by four clubs over my threeheart call, which showed a three-suiter. Not knowing the extent of the fit, I bid five clubs, and we missed our slam. What went wrong? — Blame Policy, Pueblo, Colo.
DEAR READER: I’m not sure. Could your partner have jumped to four clubs over two clubs? While some play that all forcing hands go through fourth-suit-forcing, others would use the jump here as forcing. I agree with his decision not to bid on over your signoff; after all, it is just a very good 11-count. Could you have cue-bid without guaranteeing real extras here? I think so.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: I have noticed that screens are used in international play. What do you think about them? Do you find the separation from your partner creates an artificial atmosphere at the table? — Tray Bake, Boulder, Colo.
DEAR READER: Screens help with ethical issues, and I’m happy not to have to think about my partner’s actions or idiosyncrasies. With a board placed diagonally across the table, it becomes harder for either side to take advantage of a hesitation, since neither side knows who was slow (in theory). It is not just unauthorized information problems that are resolved, but also those of incorrect explanation. It can also be fun to drop the flap when the opponents are arguing!
DEAR MR. WOLFF: Say you hold ; 10-6, k A-K-Q-8-5, l 9-8, ' K-Q-103 at unfavorable vulnerability. You open one heart, partner responds one no-trump, and your right-hand oponent overcalls two spades. Would you act? — In the Action, Brooklyn, N.Y.
DEAR READER: I would bid three clubs. This usually promises 10 cards in the two suits, but the concentrated values make up for that here. If partner has length in clubs, I would like to compete the part-score. It would be nice to be able to compete with extra shape but no real high-card extras. Methods to do this are discussed at: advinbridge.com/this-week-in-bridge/149.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: Do you think it is ethical to let someone off a revoke? My partner took it upon himself to let an opponent pick up a revoke card. — Secretary Bird, Fayetteville, N.C.
DEAR READER: It is your choice, really. Uphold the laws by all means (by calling the director), but I would tend not to punish an opponent who failed to follow suit in a casual game — if they immediately realize what they have done. Letting them take it back when I have already played to the next trick would not be proper.