Hand of the day #53
The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff Follow the play in this deal from the final of...
Bobby Wolff answers your questions
What is the best way to handle the suit combination of king-10-nine-sixth facing a small doubleton?
With the Odds, Albany, Ga.
Answer:
In isolation, best is to play one to the nine first, intending to play one to the 10 on the second round. Leading up to the king on the first round is not as good, losing out when the queen-jack are both onside in length, while only gaining against a singleton queen or jack offside.
I picked up:
With everyone vulnerable. LHO opened one spade, RHO responded one no-trump and I doubled for take-out. Partner bid two hearts. I raised to three and we went one down when partner had very little. Did I do too much?
Same Story, San Francisco, Calif.
Answer: At this vulnerability, responder rates to have something for his response, so unless you have a good fit and some shape, game is unlikely. Given that my double of one no-trump (take-out of spades) already showed a good hand, I do not think I have much in the way of extras. The risk of getting too high by raising is much greater than the risk of missing a desirable game, so I would pass two hearts.
I have noticed that some pairs lead the ace from ace-king sequences against suit contracts, but I have always led the king. Am I behind the times?
Clarity, Twin Falls, Idaho
Answer: There is nothing wrong in being old-fashioned…indeed I have sometimes been accused of that myself, with some justification. If you are prone to leading unsupported aces, this helps distinguish that situation from the ace-king lead. In bid and supported suit leads the king is surely always right.
When is it right to ignore a four-card major in response to a no-trump opening?
Choice of Games, Dover, Del.
Answer: Over one no-trump, I would not bid often Stayman with 4-3-3-3 shape. Also, if I have extra values for game and my major is weak, or I have a strong doubleton, I would not bother with Stayman on some 4-4-3-2 hands either. This prevents information leakage to help the defense. However, the story is different over two no-trump, where a trump suit may be desirable to aid communications. I would bid Stayman with most 4-4-3-2 hands and even some weak 4-3-3-3 ones then.
I held:
At game all. My left-hand opponent opened one diamond, partner overcalled one no-trump and the next player jumped to three spades. What should I have done?
Guessing Game, Phoenix, Ariz.
Answer: Double
I would not commit myself to the four-level, but I think passing is dangerous too. Right-hand opponent is bidding to make at this vulnerability, and both sides could have a game on with so much shape abound. I would double, which should be card-showing. There is little mileage in having a pure penalty double available when the opponents have voluntarily bid like this. Let partner tell you what he has; he knows better than you.
