Every fair-sized city has an ACBL affiliated club that offers duplicate bridge games.

The rewards of duplicate are many. You can rate your skill by comparing results with others who played the same deal. You can enjoy the thrill of doing well at a challenging pastime — and win masterpoints. The biggest benefit, I think, is making friends with people who share an appreciation for the beauties of the game.

Suppose you’re today’s South at four spades. Your contract is safe, but at duplicate you would like an overtrick or two. How do you play?

Lead a diamond to dummy at Trick Two and return the FOUR of hearts to your jack. If the finesse won, you could take the ace, ruff a heart in dummy and try the club finesse. When West has the king of hearts and leads a second trump, you draw trumps and reach dummy with the queen of hearts for the club finesse.

Duplicate is fun. To locate a club in your area, see acbl.org. Many clubs offer games for players at all levels.

Daily Question: You hold: & 32 h Q4 ( A654 $ 8 7 6 3 2. Your partner opens one spade, you respond 1NT, he bids two hearts and you return to two spades. Partner then bids three diamonds. What do you say?

Answer: Enough! Partner’s one spade wasn’t forcing, nor was his two hearts, so his three diamonds can’t be forcing either. Partner may not be expecting you to pass, but from your point of view, three diamonds will be playable and may be your last makable spot. South dealer, N-S vulnerable