Bridge
Dear Mr. Wolff: If my partner misexplains a bid of mine, should I say anything during the auction? If not, is it always right to clarify the misunderstanding after the bidding is finished? – Mixed-Up Mary, Tucson, Ariz.
Answer: Never say anything during the bidding. And indeed, if you end up defending the hand, you must wait till the end of the deal to say something – but you then must clear up the confusion to protect your opponents. As either declarer or dummy, you MUST speak at the end of the bidding to clarify matters for the opponents before the opening lead is made.
Dear Mr. Wolff: Holding ♠ 9-7-4, ♥ A-Q-9-5, ♦ K-Q, ♣ K-9-8-3, I heard two hearts on my left, passed around to me. What would you do? Would it depend on the vulnerability, or the form of scoring? – Timid Tim, Pleasanton, Calif.
Answer: If the opponents were vulnerable, I probably would pass at any form of scoring. If they were not vulnerable, I probably would stretch to bid two no-trump, which has a range of about 14-17 in this seat. But I easily could believe that passing would be right.
Dear Mr. Wolff: If you open one of a suit with a minimum distributional hand (be it one- or two-suited), the next hand doubles, and partner redoubles, should you bid again at your next turn to clarify the position for partner? – Off the Hook, Grand Junction, Colo.
Answer: The logic behind bidding is that if you were never going to sit for partner’s penalty double, you might as well try to describe your own hand clearly for partner by acting at once. This route is not guaranteed to succeed, but at least it lets partner know what you have early on.
Dear Mr. Wolff: Are there any national tournaments ever scheduled in America’s Northwest? As a resident of Oregon, I do not remember any major events being held in my neck of the woods. – Eager Beaver, Portland
Answer: A national tournament was held in Oregon in the early 1980s, and one in Seattle in the early ‘90s. I’m hoping to have a reason to go back to either of those venues, or to Vancouver just over the border, since they all were excellent locales. But the problem is that the ACBL has to attract large fields and needs local organizers prepared to make the event a success.
Dear Mr. Wolff: Holding ♠ A-K-4-3, ♥ J-9-5-2, ♦ K-Q-7, ♣ K-3, I opened one no-trump and was doubled for penalty. Am I supposed to run if the bidding is passed around to me? I sat it out, and 500 points later I realized that our 4-4 heart fit would have played much better. My partner had a 4-4-3-2 two-count with the heart queen. – Escapement, Midland, Mich.
Answer: Your partner might have used Stayman (or run to two clubs and redoubled for rescue if you do not play “systems on” after a double). But once he passed, you are not supposed to run unless your no-trump is atypical.