Bridge
Dear Mr. Wolff: As a relative beginner, I have not yet moved past strong two-bids. I was taught that you should normally respond two no-trump to show a negative, but I have heard recently that it is now acceptable to pass with a poor hand.— Powerhouse, Saint John, New Brunswick
Answer: If you play strong twos, you ought to treat them as forcing for one round. Indeed, you can stop below game in three of your long suit only if responder produces a negative, then gives preference back to that suit, or if opener rebids his own suit over a negative response.
Dear Mr. Wolff: Could you please explain what you meant in a recent column when writing that “par was not reached at any of the eight tables”? — Indian Summer, Woodland Hills, Calif.
Answer: Par is an abstract concept at bridge based on the theory that on every deal there is an ideal result, which could be achieved if neither side made any sort of mistake at all. As you will all know, that does not happen very often!
Dear Mr. Wolff: When vulnerable in second seat, I opened a weak-two with this hand: •Q-6-4, •K-Q-J-7-5-3, •Q-10, •J-10. Do you agree with my bid? And what should I have responded to partner’s two-no-trump ask? —Sound and Furious, Raleigh, N.C.
Answer: Your choice of a weak-two makes good sense to me — you have enough points for a one-level opening, but no controls. In response to the enquiry, do not bid three hearts simply because you have no side ace or king. Try three spades if your methods allow it, or jump to four hearts. A three-no-trump response ought to show a suit headed by at least the ace-king-jack.
Dear Mr. Wolff: What is the best method for responding to partner’s weak-three pre-emptive opening bids? — Awkward Bounce, Muncie, Ind.
Answer: New suits should be natural and forcing, with three no-trump a strong suggestion to play there, normally with a suit of your own. Some people use a form of Gerber in response to pre-empts (four clubs asks for key-cards — i.e., the aces and the king-queen of trumps), but that may be only for experts.
Dear Mr. Wolff: Is it acceptable to open relatively balanced 11-counts at pairs in first or second seat? I was recently faced with this hand: •10-8, •A-K-9-5, •K-J-6-3, •10-4-3. I elected to open one diamond, for which I received much criticism. Was it justified? — Lighter Fluid, Newport News, Va.
Answer: When you are nonvulnerable against nonvulnerable, a little latitude in opening is permissible. Here, give me the diamond 10 or a fifth diamond, and I could live with an opening bid. At other vulnerabilities I’d be less inclined to open. The problem here is not so much your action on this deal; it is the seed of doubt you sow the next time you open!