ACES ON BRIDGE

DEAR MR. WOLFF:

Which card would you tend to lead from 10-9-x-x?

— Sequential, Little Rock, Ark. DEAR READER: While I normally lead from the top of J-10-x-x, I tend to lead small from 10-9-x-x unless I have a supporting intermediate such as the seven or eight. Leading high is unlikely to do much good here. However, I would lead the 10 from 10-9-x.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: How often should one break partner’s Jacoby transfer after a one-no-trump opening?

— Magnum Opus, Vancouver, British Columbia DEAR READER: Bear in mind that partner could have a bust, and that when he has some values, he will often stretch to bid again. Thus, you do not need to go out of your way to bid more than the minimum. You should superaccept only with a non-minimum hand including fourcard support, or a terrific hand with strong three-card support when a two-no-trump call is appropriate.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: I recently picked up ♠ K-10-8-7-3, ♥ K-J-3, ♦ 10-8-4, ♣ 4-3, vulnerable against not. I passed in second seat, and my left-hand opponent opened one club. My right-hand opponent responded one heart, and his partner rebid two clubs. This was passed around to me, and I let it go. Unfortunately, my partner had a 3=3=4=3 hand, and we could have made two spades, whereas two clubs was the limit for the opponents. Should I have taken some action? -- Hotly Contested,

Portland, Ore. DEAR READER: I might bid one spade over one heart here, having already limited myself by passing originally. That should ensure that we compete the part-score when we have a spade fit, or put partner onto the best lead if the hand belongs to the opponents. Having passed over one heart, I do not see how I can guess to come back in over two clubs when the opponents have no guarantee of a fit.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: You pick up ♠ 7-5-4, ♥ J-10-6-5, ♦ K, ♣ A-J-5-4-2 and hear one notrump to your left. Your partner overcalls three spades at favorable vulnerability, and the next player passes. What say you? — Positive Thinking,

Houston, Texas DEAR READER: Partner’s jump in a major is preemptive, as he could have overcalled at the two-level. Still, seven good spades might be enough for game by itself: Picture partner with ace-queen-seventh in spades, plus three diamonds. He may then be able to ruff two diamonds to take seven spade tricks, two diamonds and the club ace. Since your right-hand opponent did not act, put me down for bidding four spades, hoping partner has a decent hand for his call.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: What would you say are the most important matters to discuss with an unfamiliar bridge partner before the game?

— Pure Bridge, Casper, Wyo.

DEAR READER: Start with leads and carding — you defend on half the deals, after all. Discuss whether attitude, count or suit preference should be your primary signal. Just agree on a base, what you do facing a one-no-trump opening and how you defend against the opponents’ one no-trump. Move on to discuss opening, overcalling and preemptive styles, and establish some blanket rules for how you treat doubles in competitive auctions.