Dear Mr. Rigal: I picked up ? K-Q-J, ? Q-7-4-3, ? 9-4, ? K-J-6-3 and responded one heart to my partner’s non-vulnerable one-diamond opening. He rebid two clubs, and I jumped to three no-trump. Partner held ? A-8, ? A-2, ? A-6-5-3-2, ? 10-8-7-5, so we were too high. What went wrong?

— Low Road, Phoenix, Ariz.

Answer: Non-vulnerable, I think mundane balanced 12-counts with no great fit are often worth no more than an invitation when facing an opening bid. Partner could easily have 11 or 12 HCP at these colors. Despite your club fit, your poor heart intermediates facing partner’s likely shortness and inflexible spade honors do not bode well for three no-trump, with 11 tricks in clubs a long way off. I would have considered bidding a non-forcing three clubs.

Dear Mr. Rigal: Would you say it is a good idea to double the opponents just because they have had a silly auction?

— Dunce Cap, Monterey, Calif.

Answer: It may be tempting to try and punish the opponents for conducting a nonsensical auction, or when you have pushed them into a game after they originally stopped short, but unless you have good reason to think they have overstretched (and I would usually want to think they are going at least two down), I would refrain from doubling. If the contract goes down, you should score well, but if the contract makes, the only one who looks silly is you!

Dear Mr. Rigal: What would you say is the point range for a two-spade overcall after the opponents bid and raise hearts?

— Competitive Streak, Springfield, Mass.

Answer: It is more desirable to enter the auction when the opponents have found a fit. Not only are they more likely to be making their contract, but you are more likely to find your own fit. Bidding for the lead, or to compete the part-score, is attractive. Ace-king-fifth in spades and some other feature would justify bidding two spades. Overcalling is riskier if they have not found a fit.

Dear Mr. Rigal: What would you open, with ? A, ? A-K-Q-9-2, ? J-6-3, ? K-Q-J-5, as dealer at game all?

— Simple Game, Mason City, Iowa

Answer: I would open one heart. The hand is not strong enough to force to game, and two no-trump would seriously misrepresent my shape. I try never to open with that call when I have an off-shape distribution if I can avoid it. If partner passes one heart, game will not make, and fourth hand might rescue the situation by bidding spades.

Dear Mr. Rigal: How much should I adjust my bidding style at matchpoint pairs scoring compared to international match points?

— Shapeshifter, Honolulu, Hawaii

Answer: Pairs and teams are very different games. You might gamble to play in a higher-scoring strain at matchpoint pairs, but you would not risk a safe plus at teams. Pairs also rewards aggressive doubles and part-score bidding since if you bid two spades and go one down for 100 when they were making 110 in two hearts, you could gain a great deal at pairs, but there is no score difference at IMPs. At IMPs, bid games much more aggressively, but, conversely, be cautious when doubling and competing.

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