Dear Mr. Rigal: This hand stirred up some controversy: You hold ? 2, ? A-K-Q-J-10-6-5-3, ? 10, ? Q-4-2, vulnerable against not, and bid four hearts over your right-hand opponent’s two-spade opening. The next hand bids four spades, and partner doubles. The original player passed at this point and conceded 590 with five hearts on for his side. What would you do with his hand?

Answer: I would bid five hearts. Partner’s double shows a good hand and asks you to do something intelligent. With very little defense, I think you are meant to bid. When in doubt, try to make your solid suit trumps. With a less shapely hand (make the heart king the diamond king), the choice becomes far harder.

Dear Mr. Rigal: How would you play a double of a two-suited overcall?

Answer: I like double to show values when the opponents have shown a two-suited hand including a major, declaring ownership of the hand. Subsequent doubles are for penalty. If I have a takeout or optional double, I pass before doubling. Against an Unusual two no-trump, you can do the same, but you can also play that double shows the unbid major, akin to a negative double. A pass followed by a double would be for penalty in this context.

Dear Mr. Rigal: With ? ---, ? A-10-3, ? 10-7-5-2, ? A-K-Q-9-7-5, you open one club at favorable vulnerability. The next player overcalls one spade, passed back to you. What now?

Answer: Partner is likely waiting to convert my reopening double, but do I want him to? Declarer may be able to score some ruffs and perhaps bring about a trump endplay. Meanwhile, my club winners may not stand up. The hand is suitable for a no-trump contract, suggesting a two-club rebid, but the vulnerability would sway me to double all the same. I hope enough of my winners survive. At other colors, I would bid two clubs.

Dear Mr. Rigal: Would you act with ? K, ? 9-8-7, ? 10-9-5-2, ? 8-7-6-5-4, non-vulnerable, after your partner has opened two no-trump?

Answer: I would pass. Even if the spade king does provide an entry to my hand, it will likely be knocked out quickly, giving partner no chance to use either of my long suits. Without the ability to get from hand to hand, partner will struggle even if we have enough points for game. With one or both majors, I would act with either Stayman or a transfer.

Dear Mr. Rigal: Do you think it should be compulsory to have an active video and audio link when playing bridge online?

Answer: Some people find being on camera uncomfortable, and some find it distracting to talk during a game. At the same time, more serious events need to protect against online cheating. I think it is good that there are different regulations in play in various events. This way, we can keep everyone happy. In serious trials, using video for matches played from home does seem entirely reasonable, but I must admit that it is extremely hard to keep players from cheating if they really want to.

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