DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

“Bridge is frustrating,” Unlucky Louie told me. “I’m seeking other intellectual pursuits. I’m joining a Scrabble club.”

“Is it open to anyone?” I asked.

“No,” Louie said, “but the membership chairman said he would put in a good word for me.”

Maybe Louie will do better at Scrabble than at bridge. Against today’s four spades, West led the jack of hearts: queen, king, ace. As declarer, Louie led a trump to dummy’s king and a trump to his jack. When the finesse won, Louie took the ace and started the clubs. But West had a singleton, and Louie lost two diamonds and two hearts.

“Maybe I’ll get a tripleword score for ‘fizzle,’” Louie sighed.

Louie’s play fizzled. He must lead a club to dummy’s queen at Trick Two, return a trump to his jack and cash the ace. He then leads the ace of clubs. If clubs broke 3-2, Louie could claim an overtrick. As it is, he can take the king of clubs, ruff a club and go to the king of trumps to cash the good club for his 10th trick.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ Q109 ♥ K76 ◆ A 63 ♣ J 10 9 4. Your partner opens one club, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: To raise to two clubs is possible (although if your partnership uses “inverted” minor-suit raises, this hand is a problem because it’s neither strong nor weak). Most experts would choose a response of 1NT as the most descriptive action.