When I held ♠ Q-10-7-2, ♥ A-6-4-2, ♦ Q-J-7-3, ♣ J, I heard my partner open two clubs and I could not think of any call to make but two diamonds; did I have a sensible alternative action? When my partner bid two no-trumps, how was I supposed to advance this hand now, if three clubs would be natural?

Hypothetical, Galveston, Texas

I agree with the two diamond call initially, but after your partner shows a balanced 22-24 HCP, you should continue with a Stayman three club bid — just as you would do over an opening two no-trump. If partner shows a major, you want to invite to slam (a call of five clubs would be a splinter raise of partner’s major). If your partner bids three diamonds, a quantitative four no-trump bid looks about right, or even five no-trumps, asking partner to bid suits up the line at the six level.

Will you please confirm to me whether the Flannery convention is still being used at this time or whether its time has come and gone? I teach bridge at my local center, but I did not know how to answer this question.

Market Gardener, Kenosha, Wis.

A Flannery two diamond opener shows five hearts and four spades with fewer than 16 HCP. That allows a response of one spade to one heart to show five, and a response of one no-trump may conceal four spades. After this opening, one can play either two notrump or three clubs as an enquiry about pattern and range. I still play Flannery myself but only say, 10-15 percent of experts do; and the number is in decline, I believe. The rest tend to play a weak two diamonds.

Are there any revolutionary alterations to standard bidding you would recommend? If not, I would like to propose a new bid, “Undouble”! I play at Little Rock Duplicate and three times this week my partner doubled a contract that the opponents made! We came in second on both occasions, but would have won without the doubled contracts.

Heavens to Betsy, Greenville, S.C.

I like it. Of course we could expand the theme; some people would like to have both a penalty double and a take-out double available to them. And some people I know can make that distinction in very subtle fashion, even without having any obviously legal way to do so…

I am wondering whether you have published any articles describing your experience with the Aces. What would be my best bet to obtain a history of the whole process of the formation and success of the Aces?

Record Keeper, Springfield, Mass.

There is a book “Play Bridge with the Aces” by Ira Corn, and both Bob Hamman’s autobiography (“At the table”) and my own “The Lone Wolff” are accurate contemporary records of how the team was formed and how it evolved.

What would you have done with the South and North cards on this pairs deal? In first seat, East opened two spades. South held: ♠ K-J-9-7-6, ♥ 4, ♦ A-7-2, ♣ A-K-10-2. If South passes, North will have to decide whether to balance holding ♠ —, ♥ K-9-7-6, ♦ Q-J-4-3, ♣ Q-J-7-6-4. Any thoughts on the best calls for both players?

Janus, Taos, N.M.

Overcalling over two spades with the South cards is very awkward (the only call that makes sense is to bid two no-trump, and I might do it, or pass smoothly hoping partner can reopen.) If you do pass, the contract might just be two spades, undoubled. However, many Norths would reopen with a double, (points, schmoints). South will then have to choose between passing, bidding no-trump, or heading towards a club game or slam. Sometimes the hands are just too hard.