DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

Cy the Cynic says procrastination is the world’s great thief — and he’s still at large. But when you’re declarer, you must often put off certain things.

At four spades, South won the first heart with the king and led a trump. West won and led the queen of hearts to dummy’s ace. South then drew trumps and led the jack of diamonds, but West won, cashed a heart and led a club to East’s ace. Down one.

South must procrastinate. He has a loser in each suit but can throw a heart from dummy on a high diamond. But South must see to his discard promptly; if he leads a trump early, EastWest will have time to set up and cash a heart.

Also, South must preserve an entry to his diamond winner. He must win Trick One in dummy and lead the jack of diamonds.

If West wins the second diamond and leads a heart, South can win in his hand and pitch dummy’s last heart on the high diamond. After he ruffs his last heart high, he can stop procrastinating and lead a trump.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: A52 Q10876

A76 10 5. The dealer, at your left, opens three diamonds. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner’s double is for takeout, though you might pass it with length and strength in diamonds. Since he suggests a hand worth 17 or more points, bid four hearts. A response of three hearts would promise no values. Your best option would be a bid of 3NT.