Bridge

Dear Mr. Wolff: I was taught that a jump shift opposite an opening bid needed 18 or so in high cards. Reading the bridge columns, I get the impression this is no longer the working rule. What would be your minimum requirements? – Getting With the Program, Dallas

Answer: Use the jump shift with good opening values and a very good suit, or a good suit and support for partner, or a good suit in a very strong balanced hand (about 17-19). Anytime you can envisage slam facing a “normal” suitable 12-14 balanced hand, jump shift.

Dear Mr. Wolff: With ♠ A-7-2, ♥ A-2, ♦ J-7-4-3-2, ♣ K-J-9, I assume you would pass over your RHO’s opening bid of one spade. Would you balance if you heard your LHO raise to two spades? – Backer-Up, Saint John, New Brunswick

Answer: At teams or rubber I’d pass – and lead a diamond. At pairs I might stretch to bid three diamonds, but I can’t say I like it at all. It easily could be right to pass and play partner for a bad hand, with defending against two spades our smallest minus or our only possible plus score.

Dear Mr. Wolff: What is the largest penalty you ever remember going for? I ask, because I’m sure every good player has a horror story somewhere in the back of his mind. – Maxima Culpa, Tucson, Ariz.

Answer: When I was younger and less wise, I psyched an opening of one spade, got doubled for penalties in two spades, and ran to two no-trump. I then redoubled for rescue. I’m still waiting, and that was a penalty of 3,000 points – under the old scoring. Fortunately it was not for money.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Holding ♠ A-Q-4-2, ♥ K-9-3-2, ♦ K-3, ♣ Q-J-2 and playing a strong no-trump, would you open one club to get to a major-suit fit? – Tax Preparer, Jackson, Tenn.

Answer: The French occasionally use this approach with a minimum and both majors. I prefer the pre-emptive effect (not to mention issues of right-siding the hand) of opening one no-trump. You could persuade me to open one club if my diamonds were the Q-J doubleton instead of the K-3.