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Dear Mr. Wolff: In social bridge, when an opponent cue-bids the suit that already has been opened, is it forcing to game by that side? So if South opens one spade and West bids two spades, are East and West forced to bid game? – Shoe-In, Charlottesville, Va.

Answer: The simple answer is yes, the cue-bid is a game force. But beware! In tournament play, some people use the cue-bid to show a two-suited hand with limited values. Typically, a cue-bid of a minor shows both majors. A cue-bid of a major shows the other major and one minor. These are called Michaels Cue-Bids.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Holding ♠Q, ♥J-2, ♦K-J-3-2, ♣Q-10-7-4-3-2, I heard my partner pass and my right-hand opponent open one spade. I tried two no-trump to show the minors, and nothing too terrible happened to me. But after the deal was over, my partner tore into me, telling me that the bid guaranteed at least five cards in each minor. Was he right? – Minor Offender, Greenville, N.C.

Answer: Although your partner may not have been polite or tactful, he was undoubtedly correct this time. The call shows at least five cards in each minor, just as the Michaels Cue-Bid mentioned in the previous answer must show five cards in each of the long suits.

Dear Mr. Wolff: What is the penalty for making an insufficient bid if the next player does not accept that call? Can you always make the call good without penalty? –Law and Order, Tupelo, Miss.

Answer: If your insufficient call was natural, you can correct it to the legal level in the same suit without penalty. You may also change your call to something else, but there will be a penalty (see below).

If the insufficient bid was not natural, you may change it to anything you like except double. However, your partner now will be barred throughout the auction, and there may be lead penalties if you end up on defense.

Dear Mr. Wolff: I dealt myself ♠A-K-Q-6-4-2, ♥A-7-3-2, ♦9-2, ♣7 and bid one spade in first seat. My partner raised to two spades. What is my correct action now (assuming the opponents are silent)? – Bib and Tucker, Navarre, Fla.

Answer: Since you might even make slam on a very good day, you are worth another call, particularly if you play the forcing no-trump response (where a raise to two spades is constructive, and weak raises go through one no-trump). My choice is not a re-raise in spades, which should be used pre-emptively. I would either blast out four spades or bid three hearts to make a game try in hearts, typically based on honor-third or honor-fourth.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Are there any good bridge magazines you could recommend for beginners? I know the rules of the game and would like to start duplicate bridge soon. –Tyro Maniac, White Plains, N.Y.

Answer: The American Contract Bridge League Bulletin has a beginner section and is free with membership in the organization (see www.acbl.org). Bridge Today and Bridge Plus have Web sites and free online samples if you are interested in further reading.