The Aces on Bridge: Sunday, 17 May 2026
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Dear Mr. Rigal:
What would you do with ♠ 4-3-2, ♥ K-8-5-4-3, ♦ K-8, ♣ J-10-7 after your left-hand opponent opens one club and your partner overcalls one no-trump, vulnerable?
Ode to Meckwell, Orlando, Fla.
I would invite game facing a one-no-trump overcall. Partner’s range is more like 16-18 here, and he has the advantage of knowing where most of the defenders’ high cards are. My five-card suit should come in handy, but I wonder whether I should even show it — this looks like a no-trump hand. I would therefore bid Stayman, in case we have nine hearts, and then follow up with two no-trump if partner bids two diamonds or two spades.
Dear Mr. Rigal:
When, if ever, should responder bypass a major to respond at the two-level in a minor?
Dazed and Confused, Madison, Wis.
There is no reason not to bid your major if you have five cards in the suit. You should also respond in the major at the one-level whenever you have less than game-forcing values — even if you have a longer minor. Similarly, with 4-4 of any hand strength, you normally bid a strong major if a 4-3 fit looks plausible from your perspective. With 4-4 in a major and a minor, responding in the minor and then bidding the major as necessary should get the job done. After a red-suit opener when your minor is longer and you have enough for game, you bid the minor first, to show your shape properly.
Dear Mr. Rigal:
Would you overcall two hearts with ♠ A-Q-2, ♥ K-10-7-4-3, ♦ 10-8-6, ♣ A-2, at favorable vulnerability, after your left-hand opponent has opened one club and your right-hand opponent has responded one spade?
Modern Trend, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
I would pass. I think a game is unlikely when the opponents have responded vulnerable. However, I think two hearts would be a popular call nowadays. It suggests a good lead to partner and might allow us to compete the part-score.
Dear Mr. Rigal:
A friend of mine often takes out his phone while he is dummy. Is that allowed?
Bad Practice, Mitchell, S.D.
This is rude to say the least. Dummy need not be fully invested in the play, perhaps to conserve energy, but he should at least show some interest and turn the cards in a timely fashion. I’m of the opinion that there is no place for telephones at the bridge table, but I’m a Luddite and proud of it.
Dear Mr. Rigal:
You recently mentioned some “set” rules regarding which honor a defender should follow with in terms of sequences. I understand that one leads from the top and follows in third seat with the lower or lowest of a sequence. In second seat, what do you recommend from a two- or three-card sequence, and why?
Tops and Bottoms, Tucson, Ariz.
Similar rules apply in second seat as in third seat. A defender should split from the lower of two equals. This allows partner to place the card immediately below with declarer. However, a common arrangement is to split with the highest from a three-card sequence. The combination of these two agreements will often tell partner how long your sequence is.
Barry Rigal
Barry Rigal is an English-born bridge player, author, commentator, and journalist who has won major national titles in both the UK and the United States and served as a VuGraph commentator for decades at European and World championships. He has written and edited numerous bridge books and articles and has been President of the International Bridge Press Association, contributing widely to the game’s literature and education.
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