I assume you would pass in first seat with ♠ J-8-2, ♥ A-5-3-2, ♦ Q-5-3, ♣ K-9-4. If your partner opens one diamond and the next hand overcalls one no-trump, do you double or assume your partner does not have a full opener?

Trusted Traveler, Lorain, Ohio

This is a very slippery slope. You don’t have to double when the auction tells you that your partner has embellished his initial call, because both opponents have bid strongly. But here, I think you do have to double and take your lumps if partner has psyched. If nothing else, it may discourage him from further flights of fancy.

Holding ♠ K-9, ♥ A-Q-7-2, ♦ Q, ♣ A-K-Q-9-6-3, would you open two clubs or one club, and why?

Hi-Lo Country, Bristol, Va.

Minor-suit oriented hands with average controls often handle well by starting low. Opening one club and jumping to two hearts over one diamond or reversing into hearts over a one-spade response tells partner much about your shape and high cards at the two-level. You will seldom be passed out in one club — and if you are, what chance did you have at game?

I have been struggling to learn New Minor after my partner rebids one no-trump, as a way to explore for game and slam. Is it worth the effort to play, and what would you recommend after a jump rebid by opener of two no-trump? Desperately Seeking Something, Tunica,

Miss.

Yes, New Minor (also called Checkback) is well worth the effort — in the same way that Stayman is an essential adjunct to modern bidding. This way you get to find fits in unbid majors, explore for 5-3 fits, and invite game efficiently. Over two no-trump, using the unbid minor as artificial is possible, but the Wolff Signoff (www.acblunit390.org/Simon/wolff.htm) works well, too.

When balancing over the opponents’ opening call, I’m aware that a hand like ♠ Q-6-2, ♥ Q-9-7-5-3, ♦ K-10, ♣ A-J-2 is more than sufficient to bid one heart over one diamond. But would you also balance at any vulnerability when playing pairs over a pre-emptive two diamonds, or even a three-diamond opener?

Lucky Luke, Monterey, Calif.

You are right that this is a simple hand with which to balance over one or two diamonds. But do you have enough to bid over a three-level preempt? I guess I might bid when non-vulnerable, but I wouldn’t be thrilled by the prospect.

Say you have ♠ 9-2, ♥ 5-4, ♦ A-Q-7-3, ♣ Q-J-4-3-2. After your left-hand opponent opens one no-trump and right-hand opponent transfers into hearts, then passes, do you pass, double or bid a suit?

Gerry the Gryphon, Bellingham, Wash.

At pairs non-vulnerable, I think this is just strong enough to act. The right way to get both minors into play is to bid two no-trump, suggesting both minors. Switch your spades with one of the minors, and you might double. Partner will bid spades or a five-card minor of his own, or scramble with two no-trump to get you to pick a minor.