Thank you for your quote from James Baldwin in a recent column. Even though I don’t play, I like the quotations. Do you have a favorite?

Linda Lou, Lakeland, Fla.

I try to mix apposite quotes for the deal with lines that stand out either because they entertain me or because the quote sticks with me. My favorite is from Matthew Arnold: “We do not what we ought, / What we ought not, we do, / And lean upon the thought / That chance will bring us through.”

I recently thought I had a difficult decision as a defender and paused for some time in the play. My opponent called the Tournament Director, and though nothing came of it, I hope you can explain to me what behavior is permitted at the table in terms of mannerisms or tempo?

Solvitur Ambulando, Willoughby, Ohio

No variation in tempo is permitted if the sole purpose is to deceive. You can, of course, deceive the opponents by a false card, but not by the manner in which you play that card. When it comes to your tempo, you may not hesitate without a reason; but as long as you have a real problem to consider, you should feel that you can take as long as you like — within reason.

My wife and I have enjoyed your column for many years, and you have answered our questions from time to time. Now, we have a silly one. Is there a preferred response by the player when asked to explain his alert of his partner’s conventional call? Does he name the convention first or describe the convention first and then name it if asked? Or, does it matter?

Saints and Sinners, Memphis, Tenn.

I think I normally say the convention name first; if the listener knows the convention, he can fill in the blanks as I speak. If the listener doesn’t know it, he will ignore the name and focus on the explanation. But either is acceptable, I believe.

When your partner opens one diamond and the next hand overcalls three clubs, what should you do with ♠ J-3, ♥ K-Q-10-6-4, ♦ Q-7-6-5, ♣ 10-3? Is it best to pass, raise diamonds (and if so, how high?) or introduce the hearts?

Chuck and Duck, Dallas, Texas

I would bid three diamonds, feeling that this hand is well short of a three-heart call. I’d need a black king more than I have, and even then, game can hardly be underwritten. Can we find a way to four hearts if that is the best spot? I doubt it, unless my partner has four hearts — and maybe not even then.

When discarding at a trump suit, what are the implications of starting with the discard of a neutral suit (one you cannot want to encourage in)?

Sage and Onions, Kenosha, Wis.

Pitching a neutral suit first always dilutes the message that follows. If you felt strongly about one suit or another, you’d begin by sending that message, be it encouraging or discouraging. If you want to encourage, discouraging the other potential candidate allows you to retain all your winners in the key suit. And you can give suit preference by pitching high or low from your long suit when your holding is already defined.