Aces on Bridge

Dear Mr. Wolff:

If I lead the ace against a slam contract, what signal should I get from partner?

— King for Count, Portland, Oregon

Answer: Whatever your lead from ace-king, one should lead the king from ace-king against contracts at the five-level or higher. That being the case, an ace lead should ask partner to encourage with the king and discourage with anything else. If you have the ace and king, you only want to know whether a second round is standing up, so you can lead the king to request a count signal. Whether from ace-king or king-queen, this should help you cash out accurately.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Would you bid over your right-hand opponent's third-seat strong one-no-trump opening, everyone vulnerable, with

♠ 4, ♥ A-5-3, ♦ 10-6-4,

♣ A-K-J-10-7-4?

— Tactical Plan, Honolulu, Hawaii

Answer: Most people play a two-club overcall of one no-trump as artificial. You could jump to three clubs, showing a fair hand with a good six-carder, but I might prefer to pass. If I am lucky enough to defend against a no-trump contract, I will know what to lead. If the next hand transfers to a major, I can compete to three clubs next. It is unlikely that I will miss a game by passing.

Dear Mr. Wolff:

You open one diamond with ♠ Q-6-5, ♥ A-K-4, ♦ A-10-7-6-3,

♣ 8-7, and partner responds one spade. What would you rebid?

— Support With Support, Boise, Idaho

Answer: I would raise to two spades. The aces and kings outside spades are appropriate for playing a suit-contract and the 5-3-3-2 shape with a low doubleton in clubs does not appeal for a one-no-trump rebid. Raising may occasionally land us in an inferior part-score, but it might also allow us to reach a low-point-count game if partner has a shapely hand with five spades.

Dear Mr. Wolff: What is the best play for three tricks with a holding of king-queen-nine-low facing 10-eight-low-low?

— Suit Combo, Spartanburg, South Carolina

Answer: If you lead to the king and it holds, cross back and advance the 10. If the next hand plays low again, it is best to let the 10 run, picking up jack-third and ace-jack-fourth onside. That represents two chances compared to the one losing layout of acethird on your left. However, if your table presence tells you your opponent could not hold up smoothly from ace-doubleton, put the queen up on the second round. If the king loses to the ace on the first round, go back and run the 10 next. Playing an opponent for ace-jack doubleton seems too far-fetched, regardless of their level of skill.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Is it compulsory to ask about the meaning of your right-hand opponent's artificial bid before you act?

— Best Practice, Kansas City, Missouri

Answer: It is not compulsory to do so. I sometimes refrain from asking if I do not intend to bid, but if my choice of call might be affected by the meaning of their bid, I would ask. I would definitely inquire if I intended to bid no matter what, in case the meaning is unexpected and might change my bid.