ACES ON BRIDGE

DEAR MR. WOLFF: How strong is a jump in a new suit when an opponent has redoubled to show strength? For example, when my lefthand opponent opens one spade, my partner doubles and my righthand opponent redoubles, does three diamonds show a good hand, as it would if my right-hand opponent had passed? — Outgunned,

Jackson, Tenn. DEAR READER: Now that the opponents have apparently established the balance of power, your main goal should shift from winning the auction to obstructing them. They have not agreed a fit yet, after all, and they will find it more difficult to reach their best spot if you cramp the auction. Jumps in new suits (especially when non-vulnerable) should therefore be more about shape than high cards. If you happen to pick up a good hand, start with a pass or a cue-bid.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: Playing two-over-one, I did not know what to bid after the uncontested sequence one spade - two hearts two spades, holding: ♠ —-,

♥ A-K-J-5-4, ♦ J-9-6-5, ♣ A-Q-J-2. What do you think?

— Where You Live, Edmonton, Alberta

DEAR READER: I would bid three clubs. This usually shows real shape or concentration of honors because you could bid a waiting two no-trump otherwise. However, with such great disparity between your minors, I think three clubs is fine. This way, you might be able to avoid three no-trump when partner has diamond weakness, perhaps preferring a 5-2 heart fit.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: What would you say is the typical minimum for a one-diamond overcall over a oneclub opener?

— Construction Works, Monterey, Calif.

DEAR READER: You should generally have a bit more for a non-space-consuming overcall than you would to overcall in a major, where you can hope to make a cheaper game contract and consume space. You might still overcall on a good suit and little outside, to direct the lead. With only a moderate suit, you might choose to remain silent.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: When should I adopt a psychological line of play rather than a technical one?

— Play the Man, Macon, Ga.

DEAR READER: Each situation may depend on the relative skill level of your opponents, and perhaps how awake they are! Avoid any line that relies on someone to blunder, but prefer a line that will succeed without that. If an illegitimate line is likely to work, you might prefer that over a legitimate but unlikely one. I would say that it is preferable not to rely on an opponent’s future error unless it is a mistake that you think you might make yourself!

DEAR MR. WOLFF: Facing a passed hand at favorable vulnerability, holding: ♠ —-,

♥ Q-6-4, ♦ 9-8-7-4-2, ♣ A-Q10-6-5 would you make an unusual two-no-trump overcall of one spade?

— Fielder’s Choice, Ketchikan, Alaska

DEAR READER: I would pass. Two no-trump could

bring us to a profitable sacrifice over four spades, but it has the real disadvantage of giving declarer a blueprint of the distribution. I would prefer to keep quiet and let

declarer make his own decisions in the likely four-spade contract rather than chase an unlikely sacrifice and tell him how to tackle the trumps.