Bridge

A. A. Milne wrote, " Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day."

Bridge players know that sometimes there is no hurry, but on other deals, speed is essential.

Now look at today's deal. How would you analyze the auction? And what should West lead against three notrump?

North's two- spade cue- bid, in the modern style, showed at least a game- invitational hand with diamond support. However, North should have made a negative double, to show his four- card heart suit. We must check for major- suit fits before falling back on the minors.

Here, if North had doubled, South might have rebid three diamonds. Then North could have cue- bid three spades to ask his part-