ACES ON BRIDGE
— Ill-fitting, Willoughby, Ohio DEAR READER: Despite the two 10s, I would go low and pass rather than invite with two no-trump. Our main source of tricks will often be clubs, but my singleton will make it hard to bring that suit in.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: Say partner opens two clubs and you respond two diamonds. When he rebids three diamonds, what should three hearts or three spades by you show?
— Breathing Room,
Huntington, W.Va. DEAR READER: Responder could still have length in a major, so the call is natural, showing five or a decent four-card suit. You can, I suppose, make the call with a stopper and concern about the other major, planning to revert to five diamonds after a raise. This is especially appropriate if three diamonds denies a major in your partnership. (Some play that a jump to three of a major over two diamonds shows four of the major and longer diamonds.)
DEAR MR. WOLFF: Can anything be done when each partner has a very good suit with no support for the other? At what point must one player give in to his partner’s strong suggestions? — Burton Ernie,
Chicago, Ill. DEAR MR. WOLFF: How aggressively should one compete for the part-score when non-vulnerable opponents have found a fit at the two-level?
-- Don’t Lie Down, Portland, Ore.
DEAR READER: This is the sort of situation in which it pays to get involved and try to outbid the opponents, or push them up a level. Most of the time, they will make their contract if allowed to play undisturbed at the two-level in a fit, and the fact that they have a fit increases the likelihood that you have a fit too. It is different vulnerable, and heard my left-hand opponent open one diamond. Partner overcalled one heart, and the next hand bid two spades, weak. What would you do now?
— Big Fit, Sioux Falls, S.D. DEAR READER: I could simply raise hearts, but I would like to show I have club length and strength on the way too, so partner can judge how to proceed if the opponents bid four spades (not unlikely). So, I would make a fit jump of four clubs, showing clubs and hearts. It is fair to say I have nothing to spare for this call!
If you would like to contact Bobby Wolff, email him at
bobbywolff@mindspring.com