Aces on Bridge

Dear Mr. Wolff: I have come up against some people using “third and low” leads. What are they, and does the rule of 11 apply against them?

— At the Crossroads,

Elmira, New York

Answer: These are countbased leads, which neither show nor deny strength. Their proponents lead top of two cards, third-highest from a greater even number and lowest from an odd number. So the appropriate rules are the rule of 10 if the lead is third-highest, or the rule of 12 if lowest from odd. You will not always be able to tell which, but there will normally be clues from the auction.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Holding ♠ A-8-7-5-2, ♥ K-7-3, ♦ 5-3, ♣ 10-9-2, would you raise partner’s one-heart opening or introduce the spades? Does the answer depend on your basic system?

— Go It Alone, Willoughby, Ohio

Answer: It is rarely wrong to support partner. The problem with responding one spade is that you will have to give a simple preference to two hearts over partner’s two-level rebid, which in no way represents the nature of your hand. Instead of having three-card support with two working control cards, you could have a doubleton with lots of soft values (queens and jacks). With ace-queenfifth of spades and three small hearts, the decision would be far tougher.

Dear Mr. Wolff: I held this hand at the club: ♠ K-8, ♥ Q-J-7-2, ♦ 10-7, ♣ A-109-6-3. The player to my right opened a weak two spades, passed around to my partner, who balanced with three diamonds.

Would you act?

— Protectorate, Macon, Georgia

Answer: It could be right to pass with no great fit in partner’s suit, but that would be very pessimistic. Sign me up for a practical three no-trump.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Iaman inexperienced player and am contemplating entering one of the regional events in my area. Is it worth doing so?

— Enter the Fray, Kansas City, Missouri

Answer: I’m assuming you play at a club and are looking for tougher competition (or a chance to earn masterpoints). Regionals are excellent bridge events, but it might be better to start with a sectional. The standard is slightly lower, but the bridge no less competitive and fun.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Say you pick up ♠ A-9, ♥ K-Q-10-8, ♦ J-9-7-2, ♣ A-K-5. Your right-hand opponent opens four hearts. Would you double?

— Guillotine Gary, Indianapolis, Indiana

Answer: High-level doubles are generally cardshowing, not strictly takeout or strictly penalty, but it can depend on vulnerability. Whatever the situation, when you double a heart pre-empt, you should be willing for partner to bid spades. That is not the case here. I am afraid you just have to pass, letting them off the hook.