DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Bob Hamman probably isn’t ready to be called the “Grand Old Man of Bridge,” but he has the credentials. Hamman represented the United States internationally in 1964 and remains a force at the table as he approaches his 79th year. His list of world and national titles is formidable.

In the Senior Teams at the ACBL Fall Championships, Hamman partnered Bart Bramley on the team led by Nick Nickell In the final, NICKELL trailed at the half. Today’s deal arose in the third quarter.

Hamman, South, opened one heart on his three Quick Tricks and played at 3NT. West led a diamond: king, ace. East returned the nine, and Hamman ducked West’s 10. West then shifted, rather oddly, to the seven of hearts.

Spectators on the internet thought Hamman might duck a spade next, giving himself a chance to find a 3-3 split in that suit, but he chose a different line: He led the deuce of clubs from dummy. If West had any sign of an entry, such as a club honor, he might have continued diamonds at Trick Three.

Sure enough, East put up the king, and Hamman took the ace and cashed the A-K of hearts. When West’s honors fell obligingly, Hamman ran the hearts, forced out the queen of clubs and made an overtrick.

In the replay, NorthSouth misfired. East opened one diamond in accordance with his style, and South overcalled one heart. North tried one spade, obviously thinking it was forcing, but the rest was silence. NICKELL gained 10 IMPs and went on to win the title.

Something is going wonderfully right in your world, and you can create even more of it, too, if you can only remember your recipe.

Why do you want to do it? You can work without being inspired, but you’ll be so much more effective if you take the time and make the effort to find your inspiration first.

A nap, a snack, your favorite show — all sparks of pleasure to enjoy in very small bursts between the main events of life’s work and purpose.

The ancients suggested you should not climb trees to look for fish. If you’re hungry for fish you’ll go where the probability factor is more in your favor.

It’s fun to spend money on a friend! It will make you happy to do so today, and your friend will also be quite pleased.

Love fortifies and motivates you. May is your chance at a prize. There’s a strange turn that begins a mysterious adventure in July. Virgo and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 4, 29, 1 and 15.