Hand of the day #145
The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff “An umbrella is of no avail against a Scotch...
Bobby Wolff answers your questions
You hold:
At game all, you hear partner open one spade in third chair. What would you respond?
Psych Control, Dodge City, Kan.
Answer: 1NT
I would respond one no-trump. This should be wide-ranging even as a passed hand. Keep the bidding low in case partner has opened light. Even if you do not play Drury (where two clubs shows a good spade raise), you need a better club suit to bid two clubs, normally five. This way, partner can pass with a 5=3=3=2 minimum opener.
How should one defend against a mini no-trump opening?
Pre-emptive Weapon, Tupelo, Miss.
Answer: The range for this is typically 10-12, in which case your side could easily have a game on. Most proponents use it only when non-vulnerable, for obvious reasons. I would recommend playing the same defense as you would against any other no-trump opening for simplicity, but definitely to use a penalty double. What is more, I would double a bit lighter than usual, say with 14 as a minimum, in order to prevent the opponents from stealing. In response to this double, you can use Stayman and transfers if you like.
Which card would you tend to lead from ace-king-queen-jack against a suit contract?
Desired Signal, Mason City, Iowa
Answer: Lead the jack
You do not want partner to signal attitude as that information will hardly be of any use to you. The way to elicit a count signal is to lead the jack. If partner can see the 10, he will know your lead is an unusual one and will show his distribution, telling you how many rounds of the suit will stand up. Leading the queen from ace-king-queen works just as well if the jack is on view. Partner might also work out what you have led from if you have shown a very strong hand or have bid the suit led.id.
Is it acceptable to call the director at a club duplicate?
Restore Equity, Muncie, Ind.
Answer: Yes, the director is there for a reason. However, I would not do so as readily as I would at a high-level tournament. There is not so much at stake in the small-time games, and I would hate to put people off playing bridge by being overly litigious. Whenever there is an irregularity such as a revoke you need to protect your side by letting the director sort out proper procedure.
What would you bid with:
Vulnerable against not, after you hear the opponents bid one club: one diamond?
Tempered Aggression, Staten Island, N.Y.
Answer: Pre-empt in hearts
I would pre-empt in hearts to take up bidding space as the hand likely belongs to the opponents. Even if we have the balance of power, it is unlikely we belong in spades when my hearts are so strong. If four spades is making, four hearts rates to be as well. As to how high to pre-empt, four hearts would be a bit much with no guarantee of a fit at this vulnerability. I would content myself with three hearts, which describes my hand type well.