Bridge
Dear Mr. Wolff: We are just learning the Jacoby two-no-trump response to a major. Should that call promise four-card trump support, or can one make the bid with only three trumps and a good hand? — Shaded Meaning, White Plains, N.Y.
Answer: It is very important that you only utilize the trump raise with four or more trumps. Otherwise, opener cannot evaluate decent hands with poor trumps. He needs to know he will be facing real length to go slamming, and three-trump support is frequently not enough.
Dear Mr. Wolff: When I was dealt • K-8, •A-J-5, •Q-6-3, •K-10-7-4-3, I thought I ought to overcall one heart with two clubs rather than double, since I had only two spades. My opponents informed me of my mistake (to the tune of 800 points), and my partner reiterated the message afterwards. What is your opinion? — Slaughtered Lamb, Honolulu
Answer: Thanks for bringing this up. Overcalls at the two-level should only be made on six-card suits or very chunky five-card suits, and they ought to promise about an opening bid. Your high cards were fine, but your suit was unacceptably weak. You have to pass this hand initially.
Dear Mr. Wolff: After a Stayman response to one no-trump gets a two-heart or two-spade reply, is four clubs by responder Gerber? — Slam Donkey, Bremerton
Answer: It may be easiest never to use Gerber except directly over a one- or two-no-trump opening or rebid. That said, after a major-suit response to Stayman, some partnerships use four clubs as a splinter, promising shortage in that suit and agreeing on partner’s major as trumps. Others do use it as Gerber, agreeing on partner’s suit, with four no-trump natural and quantitative. Whichever you do, agree on it with partner!
Dear Mr. Wolff: I held •10-8, •A-K-9-5, •Q-J-6-3, •K-4-3 and responded one heart to my partner’s one-diamond opening bid. When my partner jumped to three hearts, I simply bid game, but my partner told me I had enough to use Blackwood and bid slam. What do you think? — Early Settler, Springfield, Mass.
Answer: You are both wrong — one too optimistic, the other too pessimistic. Your hand is not unsuitable for slam, and the diamond fit makes prospects even more attractive. I’d try four clubs as a slam-try, tending to deny a spade control and hoping partner can take charge with a suitable maximum.
Dear Mr. Wolff: Holding SPADES A-10-8, HEARTS A-Q-9-5, DIAMONDS 6, CLUBS K-Q-10-4-3, I opened one club and heard my partner respond one spade. Should I now rebid clubs, raise spades, or make a reverse by bidding two hearts? — Trifecta, Walnut Creek, Calif.
Answer: Partner’s spade bid has improved your hand. I’d go for the most aggressive route of introducing hearts, then supporting spades, hoping that my slight overbid will at least ensure we reach the right strain.