Dear Mr. Wolff: Say you open the bidding and make a support double at your second turn. What do responder’s bids mean now?

— No Guarantees, Little Rock, Ark.

Answer: You may not want to play a seven-card fit, so the support double does not lock you into playing responder’s suit. Responder can support partner or bid a new suit to improve the part-score. A reversion to his first suit implies five cards there — unless he is stuck for a bid and the alternative is to raise the level. With a good hand, responder must either jump or cue-bid (or double if the next hand bids). If responder’s first call is in hearts, a two-spade rebid is natural and a one-round force.

Dear Mr. Wolff: What would you bid over one club on your right, holding ? 4, ? 10-8-3, ? A-Q-10-9-6-5-3-2, ? 5, at unfavorable vulnerability?

— High Voltage, Columbia, S.C.

Answer: There is always a temptation to drive to the four-level with a good eight-card suit, and I would bid four diamonds at any other colors, but it is too dangerous here. The opponents may just double you for more than the value of their game contract. Of course, preempting to the maximum might cause them a tough problem, too. I think I would settle for three diamonds.

Dear Mr. Wolff: Would you double a one-spade opening or overcall two diamonds with ? 4, ? 6-5-2, ? A-K-Q-8-5, ? K-J-10-4?

— Borderline, Bristol, Va.

Answer: I can understand doubling, as the hand is not really strong enough for two actions, but I would still overcall two diamonds, given my excellent suit. I would stretch to double if two spades were to come back to me. Thus, we are likely to find the best strain for part-score. Doubling first might get us to an ugly 4-3 heart fit or cause us to sell out too cheaply. A small change (keep this shape, but move the diamond queen to hearts), and I double.

Dear Mr. Wolff: I have seen more and more partnerships playing an Ekren two-diamond opening to show a weak hand with both majors. How would you defend against this?

— Major Malfunction, Casper, Wyo.

Answer: If the call has promised five cards in a particular major, I would play a cue-bid of that major as takeout; otherwise, bidding a potentially four-card major should be natural. Just because they have shown four cards in that suit does not rule it out as a profitable trump suit for your side. I would play double as a smattering of values in a balanced or strong hand, similar to a double of a multi two diamonds.

Dear Mr. Wolff: How are seating rights decided in international teams matches?

— From Experience, Kingston, Ontario

Answer: In long knockout matches, it is usual for one team to be able to choose which pairs they play against in either the odd or even sets. In a round robin, the lineups are usually entered blind, so it is often potluck as to which pair you play. In knockout matches in the U.S., choosing the first and last of four sets, or the last two, is a common option.

Contact Bobby Wolff at bobbywolffindspring.com