DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Cy the Cynic says that anything is possible for someone who doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about.

At 3NT, today’s South won the third spade, took the king of clubs, overtook his jack with the queen and cashed the ace. East discarded a heart, and South pitched a diamond. South next led dummy’s ten of hearts, hoping East had both the king and queen, but West won with the king and took his good spade and good club for down one.

“I was quite unlucky,” South orated. “The clubs rated to break evenly.”

South was either a beginner or a con artist. The chance of a 3- 3 club break was only about 36 percent, and South’s total chances were only a little over 50 percent. South’s correct play was to overtake the king of clubs at the fourth trick and let the eight of hearts ride.

Later, declarer would overtake his jack of clubs to lead the ten of hearts, winning three hearts, a spade, two clubs and three diamonds. His chances would be at least 75 percent. DAILY QUESTION You hold: opens one club, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. What do you say?

ANSWER: Opener’s bid of a new suit at the minimum level is not forcing. Since your partner did not jump, he has ! have as few as 12. Pass. Game is impossible. But if partner’s first bid had been one diamond, you would go to two diamonds; a cheap preference is no stronger than a pass. South dealer Both sides vulnerable