Dear Mr. Wolff: Is it ever right to cue-bid shortness in partner’s suit in slam-going auctions?

— Context Please, Selma, Ala.

Answer: There is no law saying that partner must have a high-card control in a suit just because he bid it, so bypassing a cue bid might cause you to miss a slam when the rest of the hand is solid and partner thinks you have two top losers. However, I would warn against cue-bidding shortness in partner’s primary suit as your first cue-bid. Conversely, if you are in charge and are simply searching for controls in the other suits, by all means keep the ball rolling.

Dear Mr. Wolff: I need your advice on the following auction: Your right-hand opponent opens one diamond, you double and partner bids one heart. Opener comes again with one spade. How many points does one no-trump show now? If opener had passed, one no-trump would indicate 18-19 points, but now I am confused.

— Ozcan Tangu, Rockford, Ill.

Answer: I think it still shows 18-19. With less, I am sure I could pass or find a different call. I do not think opponent’s second call changes the picture.

Dear Mr. Wolff: My right-hand opponent opened four hearts in a recent match, passed around to partner, who bid four spades. With both sides vulnerable, would you act with ? K-7-3, ? 7-4-3, ? K-Q, ? K-Q-J-3-2?

— Under Pressure, Casper, Wyo.

Answer: Partner has to bid four spades on a wide variety of hands here. He could hold ace-queen-jack-seventh in spades and nothing else, or he could have ace-queen-fifth in spades and an 18-count. In the former case, you are best off in game, while in the latter you could be cold for a grand slam. You are guessing somewhat, but even though I tend to give partner leeway in such situations, I think I might bid on here. My heart holding bodes well, suggesting shortness in partner’s hand. Five spades is probably the bid, suggesting no heart control.

Dear Mr. Wolff: You hold ? A-Q-10-9-8-5, ? A-Q-J-8-2, ? ---, ? 7-5 and respond one spade to partner’s one-club opening. How will you continue when he rebids one no-trump?

— Come Alive, Bristol, Va.

Answer: We could have a slam on if partner has the right cards. If my methods include two-way checkback, I will start with three hearts, natural and game-forcing. If I use New Minor, most people play a direct jump to three hearts as invitational, so I must start with the inquiry of two diamonds. If I find a fit, I will go slamming by showing my diamond shortness.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Where do you stand on off-shape takeout doubles of one-level opening bids? How do you feel about doubling with a balanced or quasi-balanced hand?

— Siouxsie Sue, Macon, Ga.

Answer: If I have a doubleton in the opponents’ suit, I am happy to double, even with three cards in one or both of the unbid majors. With three cards in the opponents’ suit, if my hand is not strong enough to overcall one no-trump, I would like full values and ideally not soft defense in their suit. Three small, or ace- or king-third in their suit is not terrible.

Contact Bobby Wolff at bobbywolffindspring.com