Bridge
Dear Mr. Wolff: How do the U.S. authorities select their national teams. I had thought only the winners of the major events were eligible to be selected. – International Incident, Lakeland, Fla.
Answer: That used to be the case. These days there are trials that almost anyone can enter, but the teams that have done well in the major team events get exemptions, sometimes as far as the semifinals of the trials. With two teams going to the Bermuda Bowl, a biennial event, those exemptions are really valuable.
Dear Mr. Wolff: I dealt myself ♠ A-7, ♥ A-9-6-4-2, ♦ Q-6-3, ♣ Q-3-2 and elected to pass because of the poor suit quality. This worked very well; our opponents had a spade fit but passed the deal out. Afterward, though, I was roundly criticized for my decision. Was this just sour grapes? – Prize Wimp, Hamilton, Ontario
Answer: I have to say I would never pass a hand with a five-card suit and a 12-count, especially a hand with two aces. The long card equates to an extra high-card, so you really have a 13-count. Mind you, I firmly believe in bidding whenever I can. I tried passing once and didn’t like it.
Dear Mr. Wolff: Occasionally I direct at my local club, where standards are low but tempers run high. How do you settle a dispute about tricks if neither side can agree on the sequence of play? – Amateur Hour, Augusta, Ga.
Answer: If any player has been keeping a record of the tricks in the right order, his version of the facts should be believed. If no one seems to know what is going on, take your best guess or rule against both sides.
Dear Mr. Wolff: Can you tell me why all modern players seem to use jump raises as pre-emptive? Do they never get dealt good hands? – Very Old Fogey, Duluth, Minn.
Answer: Although you appear to have a point, my view is that in competitive auctions one always can show good hands by cue-bidding (to show a limit raise or better), or splintering, or using some other gadget. But with bad hands and a fit with partner, you want to take up the opponents’ space. Conversely, I agree that when the opponents do not bid, you should jump only with good hands.
Dear Mr. Wolff: At my club I am a slow player who sometimes finds himself unable to start a board before the round has been called. Should not the director arrange for the deal to be played at the end of the event, or give us an average plus if our opponents are unwilling or unable to play it? – Tortoise Terry, New York, N.Y.
Answer: When you are responsible for the slow play, you would not get more than an average if the board remains unplayed. In fact, some directors might give you an average minus and your opponents an average, or average plus.