DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

Today’s South was asking what more could go wrong. At 3NT, he took the queen of hearts, led a club to his king and returned the jack. When West threw a spade, South let East’s queen win.

East inferred that if South feared a heart return, he would have played the clubs differently. So East shifted to a diamond: jack, king. When West exited with a heart, South had only eight tricks. He let the queen of spades ride, but East won and led the 10 of diamonds, and South went down two.

“Every card was wrong,” South grumbled.

South can take the ace of clubs at Trick Two, then lead to his jack. As it happens, he makes an over- trick, but if West had the queen, he would have no winning return.

If West led a diamond or spade, South could get his ninth trick in one of those suits. If West led a heart, South could finesse in spades to get a second spade trick.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ 9732 ♥ J1096

◆ AK93 ♣ 6. The dealer, at your left, opens one club, and two passes follow. What do you say?

ANSWER: To act is correct. Your partner surely has some points — maybe quite a few — otherwise the opponents would still be bidding. Double. You couldn’t consider doubling in the direct position (unless perhaps you were a passed hand), but you can “balance” witha d ouble despite shaded values. Your partner must not count on you for more.