Aces on bridge
DEAR MR. WOLFF: How does a partnership decide whether to signal attitude or count? Can you clarify the order of priorities here? — Lucifer
ANSWER: I suggest attitude is of prime importance and that, especially at trick one, you should only switch to count if it is clear that you don’t like the suit led. If you can’t beat a jack or lower from dummy, you don’t need to signal your attitude — it is defined already. Equally, if you lead the queen and see it hold the trick while dummy has K-10-2, you know partner has the ace, so third hand can signal count.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: Holding SPADES Q-J-7-3, HEARTS Q-9-5-2, DIAMONDS K-4, CLUBS J-10-3, I saw dealer, at my right, bid one diamond. I passed, my LHO bid two clubs, my partner doubled and my RHO passed. Which major should I bid, and why? — Slim Pickings
ANSWER: I would not bid a major; I would bid two diamonds — partner pick a major — planning to raise to three to invite game. Alternatively, if you think that call should be natural, you can bid three clubs, an unequivocal cue-bid to convey the same message, though this might force our side to game. If you forced me to pick a major, I would bid three spades, planning to bid four hearts if the opponents compete to four of a minor.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: Say your partner opens one spade and your RHO overcalls with two hearts, while you hold SPADES 9-4, HEARTS A-J-9-6, DIAMONDS A-4,
CLUBS K-9-7-6-2. What would you recommend now: three clubs, three notrump or something else? — In a Quandary
ANSWER: It would be clear to bid three clubs if your clubs were better. On this hand, you might miss three no-trump if you bid three clubs and partner raises you —though you might be pleased to have done so, I suppose. At equal or favorable vulnerability you might pass, hoping for a reopening double.
DEAR MR. WOLFF: Ron Klinger and Eddie Kantar both say that a double of any no-trump bid is for penalties, and a double of a suit bid at less than game level is generally a takeout double. Some players in our bridge group at a local seniors center maintain that any double of a bid below game level is a takeout double. Who is right? — Never in Doubt
ANSWER: Whenever a suit has been agreed by your opponents, doubles are cards or takeout. But doubles of no-trump are generally for business, and as soon as you start to double, whether for takeout or penalties, subsequent doubles are always penalties, of course. When the opponents wander into your auctions before you have found a fit, it would be a shame not to be able to let them know that they have made a mistake. And if the opponents reopen a dead auction, your doubles should be for penalty.