Goren Bridge

Today’s deal is from a recent match between a team from France and a team from Iceland. Matthias Thorvaldsson, from Iceland, was South. Aggressive bidding got NorthSouth to a reasonable game contract, needing only to find the king of hearts for success.

The French West saw a discouraging card from partner on his ace of diamonds opening lead. A shift to spades was called for, and West shifted to the ace of spades followed by the queen of spades. East overtook the queen with his king and reverted to diamonds. Thorvaldsson won with his king and paused for thought.

The ace of diamonds and the ace-queen-jack of spades would give West enough for a minimum opening bid, but wasn’t it more likely that East held the jack of spades? He might not have been so quick to overtake the queen if he didn’t hold the jack. Also, East was known to have at least five spades, presumably headed by the king-jack. Wouldn’t he have bid something if he also held the king of hearts? A negative double, perhaps.

Thorvaldsson eventually decided to forego the heart finesse and he led the ace of hearts from his hand. Great was the fall thereon, as the late Edgar Kaplan was fond of saying. Thorvaldsson had made his ambitious contract. The French North-South at the other table never entered the auction. East-West played in three spades, down one and the Iceland team earned a nice gain.

Dear Amy: I’m an attractive 29-year-old gay man. However, I couldn’t afford to get my own place, due to overwhelming student loan debt and other financial issues. I moved back in with my parents, and have been living with them for over a year.

My dating life the hardest hit.

I have a good job and I take care of myself. But I’m always embarrassed to bring up the fact that I live with my parents.

I feel as if my dates will judge me. Oftentimes, I lie and say I live in my own place in the city (which is no way to start off any new relationship).

I don’t want my living situation to stop me from dating.

However, it doesn’t help that I compare myself to other gay men who have nice apartments and are more financially stable.

Obviously, moving out is a goal, but I’d like to start dating — sooner rather than later.

How do I get over this? And how should I address it with potential suitors?

I feel like this has been holding me back so much. — Wondering

Dear Wondering: You are not alone. The student debt crisis has forced many adults into uncomfortable situations; I suggest that you own this, with humor.

You say, “That’s right — I’m an attractive, well-employed 29-year-old man living the dream of cohabiting with my folks! Every day I wake up in my old bedroom, stare at my old Lance Bass poster and head out to work. The upside is — I’m paying down college debt and due to move out soon. Plus, sometimes my mom lets me have Lucky Charms for breakfast.” has taken