Bridge

Dear Mr. Wolff: Is the Vanderbilt in “Vanderbilt Trophy” connected to the commander? – Gloria Monday, Pleasanton, Calif.

Answer: Yes, Harold Vanderbilt was one of the family – a great-grandson of the commodore. As well as perfecting and codifying the rules of bridge and presenting the eponymous trophy, Vanderbilt invented a strong-club system, was a great yachtsman and lived for a remarkably long time. He died in 1970.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Holding ♠ 3, ♥ A-J-8-7-5-2, ♦ K-Q-4-2, ♣ J-3, would you open one heart or a weak two hearts? Or would you prefer to pass, backing in later? – Act One, Grand Forks, N.D.

Answer: I would never pass this hand. I’d open one heart except perhaps in second seat vulnerable, where my idea of a weak-two closely resembles a hand of this sort. The absence of heart intermediates is not desirable, and the playing strength of the hand equates to most opening bids.

Dear Mr. Wolff: I know I should understand the rule of 11, but I really don’t get it. Can you explain? – Counting Crows, Durham, N.C.

Answer: When your partner leads a fourth-highest card, subtract the value of his card from 11. That remainder represents the number of cards higher than the card led that the other three players hold. So if he leads a six, there are five higher cards held by the other players. If dummy has the J-9, and you have the A-8, you can see four of the five. Thus declarer has one card higher than the six.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Holding ♠ Q-10-8, ♥ A-9-8-3, ♦ K-8-5, ♣ K-10-3, would you double an opening bid of a minor? What is the general principle about doubling with relatively balanced hands? Do expert opinions differ? – Safety Catch, Anchorage, Alaska.

Answer: There is no consensus about whether to double or not. Most people would double a minor at all forms of scoring unless vulnerable and facing a passed hand. Conversely, many would not double one spade, thus avoiding pushing partner to the two-level.