DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

Cy the Cynic maintains (quite in character for him) that people who think logically provide a nice contrast to the real world. Cy has seen too many players handle the dummy as today’s declarer did.

South risked an overcall of three hearts, and North bid four. West led a low spade, and South took the ace and cashed the K-A of trumps. When East discarded, South tried a club finesse with the 10. He went down two and made an uncharitable comment about North’s bid.

South’s play lacked logic. If West had the K-A of diamonds, his opening lead would have been a high diamond. With the K-Q of spades, he would have led the king. Since East is marked with a high diamond and a high spade, West has the queen of hearts and queen of clubs for his opening bid.

South should lead a trump to his king at Trick Two and back to dummy’s 10. He takes the ace and cashes the A-K of clubs, and when the queen falls, South is plus 480, not minus 100.

This week: drawing inferences.

DAILY QUESTION:

You hold: ♠ A5 ♥ A108

◆ Q65 ♣ J7642.Your partner opens one spade, you bid two clubs and he raises to three clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: This sequence is awkward. Partner’s three clubs is not forcing but seldom passed. I would not be eager to bid notrump with poor clubs and a shaky diamond stopper. To pass might be best, but bid three hearts, looking for 3NT.