DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

When I watched today’s deal in a penny game, East-West were Cy the Cynic, a shameless chauvinist, and Wendy, my club’s ardent feminist. They are relentless adversaries even when they cut as partners.

Against two spades, Wendy led the king of hearts. Cy examined the dummy and played the deuce — an “attitude” signal to suggest a switch. Wendy duly led her eight of diamonds; a club switch was illogical.

When dummy played the jack, the Cynic won with the queen and underled his ace of hearts to Wendy’s queen. On the next diamond, Cy won with the 10 and took the ace.

Since the defense could have no more side-suit tricks, Cy continued with the 13th diamond. No matter what South did, Wendy would score a trump trick for down one.

“A good signal and a good underlead in hearts by me,” Cy complimented himself.

“The rooster crows,” Wendy growled, “but the hen delivers. You should thank me for trusting you for once, not to mention holding the jack of trumps.”

Daily question

You hold: ♠ 93 ♥ A8752 ♦ AQ103 ♣ 6 3. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid one heart, he rebids two clubs and you jump to three diamonds, invitational. Partner bids four diamonds. What do you say?

Answer: Since partner didn’t try to reach 3NT, he probably has a shapely hand, and your ace of hearts may be a key card. Bid five diamonds. He may hold Q 2, 4,

K J 9 8 7 6, A K 5 2. Incidentally, many pairs would have treated your three diamonds as forcing. North dealer

Neither side vulnerable