Dear Mr. Rigal: How would you recommend we defend against a gambling three-no-trump opening?

Answer: When the opponents open three no-trump to show a solid minor with little else, I would use the same defense as you do against a one-no-trump opening, but within reason. Vulnerable, I believe a Landy bid should have 10 cards in the majors with nine cards and a decent hand, I would double, which should be for penalty you have to smoke them out when the deal belongs to you. Pass and then double for takeout. An alternative approach is to use four of a minor as takeout of the other major.

Dear Mr. Rigal: At our last party bridge match, I had 16 points with five spades. In third seat, I bid two spades because it was enough points to get game and a potential 700 rubber. My partner says I was wrong to do this because it’s lying to him and our opponents. I say it’s my way of ensuring I get the bid if fourth seat doesn’t have enough to overcall. If I open one spade, my partner might pass (though he says he wouldn’t have).

Answer: Remember that your partner knows the score too! If he passed a one-spade opener, how likely is it that you can make two spades? More to the point, facing your actual hand, if partner, instead of having a balanced hand, has a long minor suit and short spades, you will be able to get to three of a minor, which will prove much easier than two spades.

Dear Mr. Rigal: Say you hold ? A-Q-J-7-6-5-3-2, ? 3, ? A-Q-5, ? 6 and see partner open one diamond. You respond one spade, and he rebids two clubs. What is your next call?

Answer: I would start with two hearts, fourth suit forcing, to find out more about partner’s hand. It could be that we belong in a diamond slam, but probably only if partner shows a sixth diamond. Otherwise, I would jump to four spades next. Partner may struggle to make anything of my spade suit playing in a 5-3 diamond fit.

Dear Mr. Rigal: Whose fault is it if an alert is not seen at the table?

Answer: The rules state that it is incumbent on the person alerting the call to make sure his opponents have noticed a bit harsh, I agree, especially if the opponents are staring into space!

Dear Mr. Rigal: What would you lead from ? Q-5-4, ? 9-5, ? J-9-8-7-6-3, ? 9-8 after your right-hand opponent opens two clubs and rebids two hearts over the waiting two-diamond response, your left-hand opponent raises to three hearts and opener bids four hearts?

Answer: I would go on the attack since my opponents seem to be loaded for bear. A diamond from my poor long suit is therefore out, as is a trump. Between a spade and a club, a spade needs less from my partner, but a club has the upside of potentially securing a third-round ruff. I would probably opt for a club because if the hand happens to be about overtricks, it is less likely to cost anything. Partner might have been able to bid spades if that were the killer lead.

(If you would like to contact Bobby Wolff, email him at bobbywolff@mindspring.com.)

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