Dear Mr. Wolff: What do you think is the most useful meaning for an opening call of three no-trump?

— Difference of Opinion, Anchorage, Alaska

Answer: The most popular definition is “gambling,” showing at least a solid seven-card minor and little else outside. Responder can either pass or remove, depending on whether he has the other suits stopped and enough outside tricks. Some pairs use it to show a good four-heart or four-spade preempt, but that is not for me. Note that all balanced hands can comfortably go through your two-club opener.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Would you open a weak two in first chair, vulnerable against not, with ? 8-3-2, ? A-7-5-4-3-2, ? A-8, ? 10-3?

— Off-center, Dover, Delaware

Answer: I would pass, but I might open two hearts if I had the nine and 10 in my long suit. The primary suit is poor, and the aces are suitable not only defensively, but also for other contracts your way. If you were to open two hearts, partner would pass on many hands where game in any other strain might make. Passing now does not preclude bidding hearts later on.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Holding ? Q-6-5, ? A-3-2, ? J-10-7-4, ? Q-9-3, you recommended that South bid Stayman facing a one-no-trump opening. Why do you think South should bid Stayman with no four-card major or shortness — two Stayman-killers in my book?

— Wonder Horse, Waterbury, Connecticut

Answer: I was suggesting inviting, not driving to game. Some people can bid two no-trump to invite, and some put their invitations through two spades. Others must use Stayman with or without a major. I do not judge: Whatever fits best into your overall methods is fine. If I had two ways to invite, I might conceal a major in a balanced hand, I agree.

Dear Mr. Wolff: You published a problem where South, holding ? K-10-2, ? A-7, ? 8-5-4-2, ? J-7-5-2, had heard his right-hand opponent open four hearts. His partner doubled, but South passed. I thought the modern approach to a preempt of four hearts was to double for takeout, not penalty. How would you respond to a takeout double with that hand?

— Frankly Speaking, Atlanta, Georgia

Answer: You are right that the double is for takeout, but with all the values in the short suits and a trump trick against four hearts, passing looks like the percentage action. Four no-trump to show the minors would be sensible (but not mandatory) if you had nine cards in the minors, especially if your honors were in the minors.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Is it acceptable to make an opening bid outside one’s system in third seat?

— Light Action, Huntington, West Virginia

Answer: You can preempt on much less suitable hands when partner has passed, but be wary of the vulnerability. In terms of one-level openings, I think it is fine to open light with a good suit, perhaps in an effort to direct the lead. However, when I have the values for a normal opening bid in a minor, I will make that call rather than, say, introducing a good four-card major.

Contact Bobby Wolff at bobbywolff@mindspring.com.