Dear Mr. Wolff: What is the best way to handle the combination of ace-queen-nine-low facing jack-eight-fourth, for the maximum number of tricks?

— Matchpoint Maven, Huntington, W.Va.

Answer: In isolation, your best line is to lead low to the queen and then cash the ace, playing for king-doubleton onside. If the queen holds, there is a marginal improvement on this line. On the second round, you should lead toward the ace. The reason is that if the next hand follows low, you can insert the nine to secure a third trick when there is king-10-fourth onside.

Dear Mr. Wolff: What is the point range for a weak two in the pass-out seat?

— Intermediate, Hartford, Conn.

Answer: There is no point playing a 5-9 or 6-10 range in fourth chair, since you will either not have that hand after three passes, or you will be best off passing as well! The most sensible agreement is to play two-level openers in fourth as intermediate: about 10-13 points with a good six-card suit. This is descriptive, showing suitability for three no-trump while also being mildly preemptive. The higher-ranking the suit, the less you need.

Dear Mr. Wolff: What would you do with ? A-K-J-10-7-6, ? 8, ? A-Q-J-6, ? 4-2, vulnerable against not, over your right-hand opponent’s strong no-trump opening?

— Big Ambition, Anchorage, Alaska

Answer: We could easily have a game on here, especially when I expect the key finesses to be working. So, I would start with a penalty double if I have one available, intending to bid two spades at my next turn. This should stir some interest from partner if he has a smattering of values and fit, whereas a direct two-spade overcall might not. If I cannot double, I might jump to four spades as a two-way shot.

Dear Mr. Wolff: With ? Q-J-10-8-6, ? K, ? A-8-7, ? K-7-5-3 at love all, I saw my right-hand opponent open one heart in third chair. I overcalled one spade, the next hand jumped to three diamonds (a fit jump) and my partner bid three hearts to show a good raise. I did not know what to do when I then heard four hearts on my right. What do you think?

— Transfer Bid, Elkhart, Ind.

Answer: This heart holding is suitable for defense, but I would still bid four spades. It is often right to do so over four hearts as a two-way shot. Here, it could be the case that your right-hand opponent bid four hearts based on a diamond fit, giving them a double fit. In that case, your side is likely to have a double fit in the black suits too, suggesting a lot of tricks to be had. Indeed, both sides might be making game! If so, it would be extremely expensive to defend.

Dear Mr. Wolff: If an opponent pulls the wrong card, should I let them take it back with no consequences?

— Dealer’s Choice, Duluth, Minn.

Answer: In a social or club game, I would tend to let it go. At higher levels, I might also let it pass if it was clearly a fumble, but if it looked like a concentration error, I would not. Playing in a world championship, I tend neither to receive nor give quarter for such things. Online, of course, there is no such possibility. In most such games, bids and plays, once made, are set in stone.

Contact Bobby Wolff at bobbywolffindspring.com