DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Many of us live by the “procrastinator’s rule”: You can always do it today, but it will be today again tomorrow. A good declarer knows when to procrastinate in drawing trumps.

At four hearts, South took the ace of diamonds and cashed the A- K of trumps. With a 4- 2 split, he would have been safe, but when East threw a spade on the second trump, it was too late to procrastinate.

South next led a club, but West won and forced South to ruff a diamond. East won the next club and forced in diamonds again, and South had lost control. West got a trump and two long diamonds: down two.

South must guard against a bad trump break. Since he can afford to lose two clubs and a ruff, he leads a club at Trick Two. If West wins and leads another diamond, South ruffs and leads another club. Then if East leads a third diamond, dummy can ruff, and South keeps control and loses only two clubs and a trump.

South fails only if a defender has two clubs and one trump: not likely. DAILY QUESTION You hold: partner opens one spade, you ! clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Any action could be wrong. The deal might be a vicious misfit, and to pass before things get worse might be best. A bid of 2NT would be a slight stretch, and a bid of two hearts would be speculative. Bid two diamonds. If partner drops you there, you will at least be sure of some winners. South dealer Both sides vulnerable