DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

I found Cy the Cynic, a shameless chauvinist, and Wendy, my club’s ardent feminist, arguing in the lounge.

“Women should come with directions,” Cy grumbled.

“Who ever heard of any man paying attention to directions?” Wendy sneered.

The fuss was over today’s deal. Cy and Wendy had been East-West in a penny game, and Wendy led the jack of diamonds against 3NT. South put up dummy’s queen and led a spade: jack, queen, ace.

Wendy knew South had the A-K of diamonds and queen of spades, and she placed him with the ace of clubs, else his first move would have been to set up the clubs. So at Trick Three Wendy shifted to the deuce of hearts. The Cynic took the ace and returned ... a diamond. South claimed nine tricks.

“I give the man directions, and he ignores them,” Wendy growled.

Cy was at fault. Wendy’s deuce of hearts — her lowest heart — asked for a heart return. If Wendy had wanted Cy to win and return a diamond, she would have led a higher heart. DAILY QUESTION You hold: SJ 10987

HA 94 D 875 C 98. The dealer, at your left, opens one diamond. Your partner doubles, you bid one spade and he raises to two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner has substantial extra strength. He couldn’t safely commit to a two-level contract with minimum values since you might have no points and a ragged fourcard spade suit. If you trust him, bid three spades to try for game. His hand may be A Q 65, K Q 65,42, A Q 3.