Bridge

Dear Mr. Wolff: I am curious about the right way to show a strong hand with 5-5 in the majors facing a strong no-trump. Do you transfer into hearts first, or into spades? — I Like Mike, Willoughby, Ohio

Answer: If you play Smolen (whereby Stayman followed by a jump to three of a major is the way to show 5-4 in the majors), then transferring to spades before bidding hearts shows the 5-5 pattern. Alternatively, some people use direct jumps to three hearts and three spades over one no-trump to show both majors, invitational and forcing respectively.

Dear Mr. Wolff: I recently had an argument about how much one needs to redouble a double of Stayman. Yesterday I held a maximum no-trump with four clubs to the queen and tried a redouble. This was not a success, and my ears are still burning from partner’s comments! — Blue-Card Blues, Troy, N.Y.

Answer: Redoubling in this sequence shows a very good four-card suit (at least K-J-9-x) or any respectable five-card suit. The hand does not need to be a maximum. The suit quality is far more important because redouble is a firm statement of wanting to play in this contract.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Holding “K-5, “J-9-5-2, “A-Q-8-6-4, “Q-5, I opened one diamond. When it was doubled, my partner redoubled. This was passed back to the doubler, who ran to two clubs, passed back to me. Was I right to pass since I had a minimum? — Chickening Out, Calgary, Alberta

Answer: You were emphatically wrong to pass, because partner’s redouble guaranteed a second call. Thus, his pass was forcing. I think you should have had the courage to bid two hearts over two clubs. When you didn’t, a potential 4-4 heart fit was lost.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Our foursome had a big argument about the right opening bid with “Q, “A-K-6, “A-K-Q-6, “K-8-7-4-3. What are your views? — Upwardly Mobile, Salinas, Calif.

Answer: Although opening at the one-level with 21 points may shock you, bid one club, planning to rebid two diamonds to get your power and shape across nicely. Opening two no-trump might be acceptable with a singleton king or queen of spades, but not on this hand, which might make game or slam in a minor and go down in three no-trump.

Dear Mr. Wolff: What are the merits of leading fourth highest as opposed to third-and-fifth leads? — Looking for Spot, Atlanta

Answer: The idea of leading third highest from four or six cards and low from three- or five-card suits is that it can help partner to work out at once how many cards you have in the suit led. As against that, third highest from four cards may waste a “significant” spot-card from time to time. There are theoretical merits to this lead style. Is it worth it to add another convention to your card? The jury is still out!