DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Unlucky Louie is my club’s prince of misfortune. If he heated a bowl of alphabet soup in the microwave, it would come out spelling disaster.

Louie was declarer at today’s four hearts. West’s 2NT was “Unusual,” showing length in both minors. When West led the queen of diamonds, Louie won with the king to lead the queen of trumps for a finesse.

West discarded — so much for finesses — but worse was to come. When dummy played low, East won and led the ace and a second club to West’s king. Then a third club spelled doom: Whether Louie ruffed low or with the ace in dummy, East would get a second trump trick.

Louie brought it all on himself. He can afford to lose one trump trick, hence he must win the first diamond in dummy and lead a low trump.

If East takes the king, and the defense plays three rounds of clubs as before, Louie can ruff with the ace and draw East’s remaining trumps with the Q-J. And no other lie of the missing trumps can trouble Louie. DAILY QUESTION

You hold: opens one club, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: This case is close. To raise to two spades would be a chance-giving action, suggesting at most nine points. A jump to three spades would invite game, suggesting about 11. Though the spade support is weak, I would like the side aces and the “working” jack of clubs. Bid three spades.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable