Dear Mr. Rigal: Do you open all 12-counts as a matter of routine? What about this one: ? K-Q, ? J-10-7-5, ? Q-J-10-8, ? K-5-2, in first position at game all?

Answer: I open all 12s non-vulnerable, but not necessarily when vulnerable. This balanced hand with no aces and two honors in the doubleton is a good example of a pass. Another factor for opening is to help partner on lead if we end up on defense, but in this hand the diamonds are nothing special. I should emphasize that in third seat, getting in with only limited values tends to work because it disrupts the opponents, who are more likely to do the right thing if left to themselves.

Dear Mr. Rigal: What does partner’s double mean after my right-hand opponent opens three clubs, I bid three spades and the next hand raises to five clubs?

Answer: Most of the time, this raise to five clubs is based on a big fit with weakness. The opponents intend to sacrifice and are getting there as quickly as possible to make your life harder. Partner’s double, therefore, just shows a good hand. It is neither for penalty nor takeout, but you will often pass unless you have serious extra distribution, since it rarely pays to bid five-over-five without a strong fit of your own.

Dear Mr. Rigal: I play a double of a strong two-club opening as both majors, but what about after a waiting response of two diamonds? Should the same meaning apply?

Answer: I see what you mean, but I am not sure how practical that would be for any but an experienced partnership to commit to memory! You could use double as showing diamonds, even though you might decide to bid three diamonds on some of those hands. A call of two no-trump should be the minors in either position.

Dear Mr. Rigal: Is it incumbent on declarer to claim when they have enough tricks for their contract in a team game?

Answer: If it is obvious that you have the rest of the tricks, you should always claim. If there are overtricks in the offing, it is better if you play on. Unless you are under time pressure, when you might want to speed things up, you are within your rights to keep going, since overtricks are worth international match points! When defending online, I recommend conceding if you are sure that declarer has the rest. Bear in mind, though, that some players will make mistakes you might not have considered.

Dear Mr. Rigal: You hold ? J, ? K-8-4-3-2, ? K-J-6-3, ? A-10-6 and open one heart. Partner raises to three hearts, invitational with four. Would you accept?

Answer: I would bid one more for the road, yes. We do not quite have the points for game, but that might not matter if partner’s values are in the right places, i.e., not diamonds. When success will depend on how the hands mesh, take the high road. It is unlikely that the opponents are poised to double you if you are wrong. If you are vulnerable, you have all the more reason to bid on.

Contact Barry Rigal, email him at barryrigal@hotmail.com