October 7th, 2019 ~ Bobby Wolff ~ 2 Comments
Say first, of God above or man below, What can we reason, but from what we know?
Alexander Pope
W |
North |
E-W |
♠ K J 8
♥ A 5 4
♦ A 10 7 6 4 3
♣ 3 |
West |
East |
♠ 9
♥ Q 9 8 2
♦ 9 8
♣ A Q J 10 5 4 |
♠ A 10 3 2
♥ J 10 7 6
♦ J 2
♣ 9 7 6 |
South |
♠ Q 7 6 5 4
♥ K 3
♦ K Q 5
♣ K 8 2 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
|
Pass |
1 ♦ |
Pass |
1 ♠ |
Dbl. |
Rdbl.* |
2 ♥ |
4 ♠ |
All pass |
|
|
*Three spades
♥9
Partner has probably opened light in third chair, and you have enough in terms of high cards to expect to gain the lead again. It is therefore more than reasonable to lead your own long suit in preference to a singleton in partner’s. You will need to ready your apologies if you turn out to be wrong, though!
LEAD WITH THE ACES
♠ 5
♥ 10 9 6
♦ K 8 7 6 2
♣ K 9 8 7 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
Pass |
Pass |
1 ♠ |
1 NT |
Pass |
3 NT |
All pass |
|
October 6th, 2019 ~ Bobby Wolff ~ Comments Off on The Aces on Bridge: Sunday, September 22nd, 2019
What would be your hopes for the world of bridge in 2020?
Nostradamus, Sacramento, Calif.
Perhaps I should hope for something attainable and not look for pie in the sky. Maybe we might be successful in persuading a few school districts to teach bridge to the pupils, accepting that it is a fine tool to help children understand mathematics and develop concentration?
Holding ♠ K-8-4, ♥ Q-4, ♦ A-10-6-4-3-2, ♣ J-10, I elected to open one diamond rather than two, because at favorable vulnerability I thought I had too much to pre-empt. We reached a hopeless slam, and my partner commented that he did not feel this hand was worth an opener. What do you say?
Hambone, Naples, Fla.
Wolff’s rule for pre-empting No. 1: Never pass with a bad suit — open one or two. This hand doesn’t qualify as a good suit, so you can choose to go high, go low or pass. To me, the pass stands out; with a bad suit — exactly the wrong top honor with which to pre-empt, since if partner is short, you can give him ruffs — and not enough to open, I pass. With the club queen instead of the jack, I might stretch to open.
What is the best way to deal with interference to Blackwood?
Buckaroo Banzai, Mason City, Iowa
DOPI and ROPI aren’t just two of the lesser-known dwarves in Snow White. If the opponents intervene below five of your trump suit, use double or redouble (D or R) for zero (O), pass (P) for one (I) and the next steps for increasing numbers of aces. After higher intervention, doubling for an even number of aces (zero or two) and passing for one is just one of many options here.
|
If you have agreed to play two-over-one game-forcing, can you suggest how to bid an 11-count with a doubleton support for partner and a six-card side suit? Should you go high via the two-over-one or low via one no-trump?
Clara Cluck, San Antonio, Texas
Assuming that a jump to three of a minor is not this hand (it would be for some), I suggest you decide if you would have opened the hand in question at the one-level. If you would, then bid two-over-one. If you wouldn’t, then bid one no-trump and follow up by bidding your suit at the three-level or making some other quasi-descriptive call (raising partner or bidding two no-trump might be reasonable approximations).
What are the advantages of leading the king from the ace-king? If your partner is void, he won’t know if you are leading from the ace-king or king-queen and so cannot tell if it is right to ruff or not. Wouldn’t leading the ace inform your partner you have it, while leading the king would reveal that you don’t have it?
Clearwater Chuck, Raleigh, N.C.
The more common problem with the lead of an ambiguous king is how to signal with length including the jack, facing a king lead. Compared to that, leading the unsupported ace and having partner know you need a signal for attitude, not count, is more helpful and comes up more often. Having a void facing the king is rare enough that I’ve seen only two disasters along this line in my life. But one was this year, I admit!
|
October 5th, 2019 ~ Bobby Wolff ~ 3 Comments
Consequences are unpitying. Our deeds carry their terrible consequences, quite apart from any fluctuations that went before — consequences that are hardly ever confined to ourselves.
George Eliot
S |
North |
Both |
♠ A K J 5 4
♥ 9 2
♦ K Q 2
♣ J 9 4 |
West |
East |
♠ 10 7
♥ J 10 6 3
♦ 10 5 4 3
♣ 8 7 6 |
♠ Q 8 3
♥ K Q 8 7
♦ J 9 8
♣ 10 3 2 |
South |
♠ 9 6 2
♥ A 5 4
♦ A 7 6
♣ A K Q 5 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
1 NT |
Pass |
2 ♥ * |
Pass |
2 ♠ |
Pass |
3 NT |
Pass |
4 ♣ |
Pass |
4 ♦ |
Pass |
4 NT |
Pass |
5 ♥ |
Pass |
6 ♠ |
All pass |
|
|
*Spades
♥J
One choice is to rebid two no-trump, even without a heart guard, in order to show the hand type. The second choice is to rebid spades, which might be acceptable even if you play it as promising six. For the record, bidding diamonds might not only mislead your partner, but would also highlight the heart weakness to the opponents.
BID WITH THE ACES
♠ A K J 5 4
♥ 9 2
♦ K Q 2
♣ J 9 4 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
1 ♠ |
Pass |
2 ♣ |
Pass |
? |
|
|
|
October 4th, 2019 ~ Bobby Wolff ~ 8 Comments
Truth has no special time of its own. Its hour is now — always.
Albert Schweitzer
S |
North |
E-W |
♠ A 8
♥ A 10 7 6
♦ A K 8
♣ 7 6 4 2 |
West |
East |
♠ 9 6
♥ 9 8 5 4
♦ 6 2
♣ J 10 8 5 3 |
♠ K Q J 10 7 4 3 2
♥ —
♦ J 10 9 4
♣ 9 |
South |
♠ 5
♥ K Q J 3 2
♦ Q 7 5 3
♣ A K Q |
South |
West |
North |
East |
1 ♥ |
Pass |
2 NT * |
4 ♠ |
4 NT |
Pass |
5 ♣ |
Pass |
5 NT |
Pass |
6 ♦ |
Pass |
7 ♥ |
All pass |
|
|
*Hearts, forcing
♠9
This hand may appear too strong for a simple overcall, and in a way it is. But if elect to double, you are likely to find somebody bidding spades and making it awkward for you to get your values across. Your plan should be to bid hearts, then double an opponent’s spade call at your next turn, if necessary, to show extras. That is exactly what you have!
BID WITH THE ACES
♠ 5
♥ K Q J 3 2
♦ Q 7 5 3
♣ A K Q |
South |
West |
North |
East |
|
|
|
1 ♣ |
? |
|
|
|
October 3rd, 2019 ~ Bobby Wolff ~ 5 Comments
It is folly to expect men to do all that they may reasonably be expected to do.
Richard Whately
N |
North |
None |
♠ J
♥ K Q 9 7 2
♦ K 9 7
♣ A 10 7 3 |
West |
East |
♠ 9 8 5 4 2
♥ J 8 5
♦ J 10 8 4
♣ 6 |
♠ K 10 7 3
♥ A 10 6
♦ Q 5 3
♣ K J 4 |
South |
♠ A Q 6
♥ 4 3
♦ A 6 2
♣ Q 9 8 5 2 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
|
|
1 ♥ |
Pass |
2 ♣ |
Pass |
3 ♣ |
Pass |
3 NT |
All pass |
|
|
♠8
I would raise to four spades at any vulnerability. Partner likely has a singleton heart, and our own singleton should allow him to cross-ruff the hand. We definitely want to sacrifice over four hearts, so we should do so immediately, making life as difficult as possible for the opponents.
BID WITH THE ACES
♠ 9 8 5 4 2
♥ J 8 5
♦ J 10 8 4
♣ 6 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
|
1 ♥ |
1 ♠ |
3 ♥ |
? |
|
|
|
October 2nd, 2019 ~ Bobby Wolff ~ 8 Comments
Skill is a function of chance. It’s an intuitive best use of chance situations.
Philip K. Dick
S |
North |
None |
♠ A Q 2
♥ 10 9 7 5 2
♦ 8 7 2
♣ J 5 |
West |
East |
♠ K 10
♥ J 4
♦ Q J 10 4
♣ K 9 7 6 3 |
♠ J 8 6 5 4
♥ K
♦ 6 5 3
♣ A 10 8 4 |
South |
♠ 9 7 3
♥ A Q 8 6 3
♦ A K 9
♣ Q 2 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
1 NT |
Pass |
2 ♦ * |
Pass |
3 ♥ |
Pass |
4 ♥ |
All pass |
|
|
|
|
*Hearts
♦Q
You could have an eight-card heart fit, but even then, one no-trump might play reasonably. With such poor hearts, you should pass and hope partner can conjure seven tricks. You would not want to play in two hearts opposite a small doubleton.
BID WITH THE ACES
♠ A Q 2
♥ 10 9 7 5 2
♦ 8 7 2
♣ J 5 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
|
|
1 ♣ |
Pass |
1 ♥ |
Pass |
1 NT |
Pass |
? |
|
|
|
October 1st, 2019 ~ Bobby Wolff ~ 3 Comments
Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open.
Sir James Dewar
S |
North |
Both |
♠ K 6 5
♥ 8 6 5 2
♦ K 4
♣ 8 4 3 2 |
West |
East |
♠ 2
♥ K Q 10 7
♦ Q J 10 7
♣ K Q 9 6 |
♠ J 10 9 3
♥ J 9 4
♦ 8 6 5 2
♣ 10 7 |
South |
♠ A Q 8 7 4
♥ A 3
♦ A 9 3
♣ A J 5 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
1 ♠ |
Dbl. |
2 ♠ |
Pass |
4 ♠ |
All pass |
|
|
♦Q
We do not want to introduce hearts — the last thing we want to do is to play in hearts if partner cannot bid them. Raising clubs may not achieve much and could mislead partner about our defense if the opponents come in. Since our kings suggest defense, not offense, I’d pass now and hope to balance later. I’m tempted to try one no-trump, but a free bid suggests a slightly better hand than this.
BID WITH THE ACES
♠ K 6 5
♥ 8 6 5 2
♦ K 4
♣ 8 4 3 2 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
|
|
1 ♣ |
Dbl. |
? |
|
|
|
September 30th, 2019 ~ Bobby Wolff ~ 2 Comments
The past is the only dead thing that smells sweet.
Edward Thomas
E |
North |
E-W |
♠ Q 5
♥ 2
♦ K 8 7 5
♣ A J 10 9 7 3 |
West |
East |
♠ 9 7 6 3
♥ Q 10 9
♦ A 6
♣ Q 8 6 2 |
♠ A J 10 8 2
♥ K J 7 4 3
♦ 2
♣ K 5 |
South |
♠ K 4
♥ A 8 6 5
♦ Q J 10 9 4 3
♣ 4 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
|
|
|
1 ♠ |
2 ♦ |
2 ♠ |
5 ♦ |
All pass |
|
|
|
|
♦A
Invitational auctions call for passive leads, but even so, our strong spade suit should surely be led. The problem is that we do not know which spade; a low card could be very silly if each opponent has three cards and your partner has no high card. But if one defender has the doubleton king or partner has the doubleton spade 10 or king, you’d much rather lead a low card. I’d go for the spade queen with minimal confidence.
LEAD WITH THE ACES
♠ A Q J 6 4
♥ 9
♦ Q 9 2
♣ 10 8 6 2 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
|
Pass |
Pass |
1 NT |
Pass |
2 NT |
All pass |
|
September 29th, 2019 ~ Bobby Wolff ~ Comments Off on The Aces on Bridge: Sunday, September 15th, 2019
Please explain the philosophy behind cue-bidding aces before second-round controls, as opposed to making the most economical cue-bid. Doesn’t this run the risk of reaching slam with two aces missing?
Roman Candle, Tupelo, Miss.
You can combine cue-bidding with Blackwood to minimize the risk you mention. Cue-bidding is best used when you need to know if partner can co-operate. Often there will be a danger suit where you need help from partner before heading for the stratosphere. These days, the practice of cue-bidding indiscriminately up the line has become the norm.
Recently, at pairs, I held ♠ 10-4, ♥ K-10-2, ♦ A-7-6-2, ♣ A-Q-5-4. I opened one diamond, and after a one-heart response, I could not decide whether to raise hearts, introduce clubs or rebid one no-trump. The heart raise did not work out well when trumps were 5-1! Bring on the Moyse, Saint John’s, Newfound
land
Two points: First, I prefer to open one club, not one diamond, since I’ve seen my partner on lead before and I prefer to have him lead good suits instead of bad ones. Second, raising hearts is fine by me. This way, we make sure to reach our 5-3 fits on part-score hands, and partner can ask if I have three or four trumps when we belong in game.
Is there any point in discussing good or bad results at the table, or is it better to wait until after the game? If you advise against going over unfavorable results immediately, is there anything that is worth discussing?
Well-Tempered Clarence, Wilmington , N.C.
There is little reason to discuss your side’s declarer play. A bidding accident will merit discussion only if you need to ensure it will not happen again in the current set. Defensive cardplay (where the blame is often hardest to assign) may be the toughest to ignore. But very little is gained by debate at the table — unless you have downtime in a set for some reason.
|
I picked up ♠ K-3, ♥ K-Q-5-4, ♦ A-9, ♣ A-J-6-5-4 and was torn between opening one no-trump and bidding one club, with the intention of reversing into hearts. What should be the deciding factor here?
Locum Tenens, Pueblo, Colo.
I’m somewhat out of step with the “open one no-trump on everything that moves and some things that don’t” faction. To my mind, if a hand can be easily and accurately described by bidding suits, as here, then just do it. With a 16-count, you might feel differently; make the club jack the club three, for example, and this is a clear one-no-trump opener.
I’m curious as to whether the national team for the USA usually has a sponsor. What is your opinion on the subject? Would excluding professionals by having pairs trials make a noticeable difference in our chances of success in world events?
Rumblefish, Manchester, N.H.
While sponsorship allows good players to concentrate on bridge and thus to get better, I’d still like to see a system that allows the three best pairs to make up our team. That said, two or three sponsors are more than good enough to play for USA with no weakening of the team. Marty Fleisher and Nick Nickell, who are captaining the U.S. teams in China this week, are really fine players.
|
September 28th, 2019 ~ Bobby Wolff ~ Comments Off on The Aces on Bridge: Saturday, September 14th, 2019
Credulity is the man’s weakness but the child’s strength.
Charles Lamb
N |
North |
None |
♠ Q J 9 6 3
♥ A J 10 2
♦ 9 6 2
♣ A |
West |
East |
♠ A 10 7 5
♥ 8 7
♦ A K 4
♣ 10 7 5 2 |
♠ K 8 2
♥ 9 6 5 3
♦ 10 8
♣ J 8 6 4 |
South |
♠ 4
♥ K Q 4
♦ Q J 7 5 3
♣ K Q 9 3 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
|
|
1 ♠ |
Pass |
2 ♦ |
Pass |
2 ♥ |
Pass |
2 NT |
Pass |
3 NT |
All pass |
|
|
|
|
♣2
Speak now or forever hold your peace. If you pass, you may find yourself on lead against one no-trump. Partner may or may not have spade values, but he could certainly have a good hand, especially given the limited values many players open and respond with these days. I would make a take-out double and be glad that I have a way to get my shape across.
BID WITH THE ACES
♠ 4
♥ K Q 4
♦ Q J 7 5 3
♣ K Q 9 3 |
South |
West |
North |
East |
|
1 ♠ |
Pass |
1 NT |
? |
|
|
|
|
The McConnell Cup for women’s teams was held in Orlando last September. In the finals of that event, both Souths arrived in four spades.
In the open room, West took the heart nine in hand to try a small spade to the jack, which held the trick. When declarer led the spade king, East rose with the ace and pushed the club nine through. Declarer played small, and East continued the suit, forcing declarer to ruff in dummy. A small diamond to the queen in hand was followed by the trump queen, but declarer still had a trump and a club to lose, for one off.
In the closed room, the same contract was reached, and on the same lead, but on the auction shown here. Karen McCallum won with the king and played a trump to the king, which held. But now she played three rounds of diamonds, and though East could ruff the third round, declarer was in full control.
East switched to the club nine, covered by the king and won by West‘s ace. The club continuation was ruffed in dummy, and declarer continued with diamonds, leaving East no counter. When she ruffed in, declarer over-ruffed and trumped her club loser in dummy, losing just the trump ace.
McCallum reasoned that after West’s double and East’s twoheart bid, hearts appeared to be 4-4 and East had more hearts than clubs. If so, West had to have six clubs and thus probably a singleton spade. This produced a well-earned 10 IMPs to Team Baker, the eventual winners of the gold medal.