LEAD WITH THE ACES

ANSWER: When faced with a marginal hand for acting over a pre-empt, the general rule is to act with shortage in the opponents’ suit, and pass with length. But there are exceptions; this hand seems too light, and with a soft defensive holding in hearts, I’d rather defend. The risk of going for a penalty, or turning a plus into a minus, is just too high. Were partner not a passed hand, the decision would be harder. United Features Syndicate