Dear Mr. Rigal: What would you rebid with ? A-K, ? A-J-9-8-5-4-2, ? 8-7-3, ? Q, no one vulnerable, after you open one heart and partner responds one no-trump as a passed hand?

Answer: I would stretch to rebid three hearts with my good intermediates and seventh heart, but I would not disparage anyone for going low with two hearts. The seventh heart is worth a lot here, but much may depend on the minor-suit mesh.

Dear Mr. Rigal: How often should I be protecting the bidding after I open and my left-hand opponent’s one-level suit overcall is passed back to me?

Answer: This largely depends on your length in the suit overcalled. Act with fewer than two trumps, as it is likely partner is waiting and has a penalty double. Undoubled undertricks would not be adequate compensation for your missed game, slam or penalty. With honor-doubleton, or greater length, be wary of balancing, as it is now far less likely that partner has a penalty pass. Of course, you should still act with significant extras. Partner could easily have scattered values with nothing sensible to bid.

Dear Mr. Rigal: I held this hand: ? ---, ? A-K-10-7-6-4-3, ? 8, ? K-9-6-4-2, vulnerable against not, and heard the bidding start with two no-trump on my left and four diamonds to my right (transfer to spades). What would you do? I bid four hearts and was doubled for -500 at matchpoints scoring, with spades making only 11 tricks. Did I step out of line?

Answer: I must admit I would be in there with four hearts, too. I cannot pass throughout with so much shape, when we could be making loads of tricks if partner has a fit for me. As for whether I should run when four hearts is doubled, I doubt it, though it could conceivably be right — out of the frying pan and all that. Moreover, I might even balance with five clubs over four spades!

Dear Mr. Rigal: Do you enjoy playing online, or do you find that your table presence is affected by the fact that you cannot see your partner or opponents, and it is therefore harder to interpret your opponents’ tempo?

Answer: When COVID struck, I started to play online regularly and have been constantly surprised at just how much information leaks from the tempo of the other players. While you should try to ignore any tempo breaks from your partner, trust your judgment when it comes to the opponents.

Dear Mr. Rigal: How important is it to practice partnership bidding?

Answer: Much depends on your circumstances. If you have a regular partner, partnership bidding practice is clearly advantageous. Bidding hands away from the table and discussing your system can firm up your agreements and make sure you are on the same wavelength more often. This can also be worthwhile if you are a new pair preparing for a big event. However, some are looking for a social game. For them, bidding practice may feel too much like hard work.

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