Both vulnerable, you are in fourth seat holding ♠ J-8-5-2, ♥ Q-J-4, ♦ A-Q-J-7-6, ♣ 5. Your RHO opens one heart. There appeared to be two plausible options: first, a take-out double, seeking a spade fit, planning a rebid of two diamonds over a two club response by your partner — i.e. equal-level conversion. The second choice would be a two-diamond overcall. Where do you stand on this?

Craft Fair, Palm Springs, Calif.

You did not consider an initial pass, which I might well vote for. Certainly a two diamond overcall is preferable to a double – equal-length conversion is all well and good, though I don’t subscribe. But even if I did, I’d need (for example) the heart ace instead of the queen for that.

Playing in a sectional team event, I picked up ♠ K-Q-J-9, ♥ 9-4, ♦ K-Q-7-5-4, ♣ 10-8 and in second seat at favorable vulnerability I elected to open one diamond. Subsequent developments were not to my liking, and my partner indicated my decision was a poor one. What do you think?

Larry the Lamb, Johnstown, Pa.

I would pass most 11-counts with this pattern especially a collection with no aces, but I can see why you would open a hand with good suits and an easy rebid over the likely simple response of one heart. I’d also yield to temptation, I admit it. That said, if you switch the majors, so that your rebid is more awkward over a one spade response, I might pass.

If you were going to travel abroad to play bridge, where would you recommend going?

Travelin’ Man, Raleigh, N.C.

The tournaments in France in the summer (especially Cannes and Biarritz) allow you both to play and enjoy life. The Spring Fours in Stratfordon-Avon in May is also a fun and challenging event. But my favorite recent event was the Gold Coast in Brisbane, Australia — a week of fun, bridge, sun and sand.

My partner opened one club and rebid one spade over my one heart call. With ♠ Q-J-8-2, ♥ A-10-3-2, ♦ 5-3, ♣ Q-8-4 would you raise to two spades or three spades? I thought my club fit would be useful enough to take the aggressive position.

Upping the Ante, Elkhart, Ind.

This hand is only worth a simple raise. Partner will be pleased you were restrained if he has the most likely hand-type, a balanced 12-14. But if he has more he rates to take another call anyway, so you will be unlikely to miss a good game. Incidentally, I could understand raising an opening one spade bid to three – partner’s fifth spade makes a big difference.

Playing 2/1, how should responder continue after he responds one no-trump to a major, and his partner raises to two no-trumps? Do Wolff Signoffs apply? What about transfers — or is it best to play natural?

Mercy Me, Bellingham, Wash.

It is reasonable to play three hearts over partner’s original spade opening as forcing, but three of a minor can be passed. Maybe best, if hard to remember, is to play transfers. Transferring into partner’s suit is consistent with a weak raise, but opener can do more than complete the transfer with the right hand. If responder shows an ‘impossible’ suit (spades after having responded one no-trump to one heart) that shows both minors.