BRIDGE

Rumor has it that when a fire broke out at a clock factory, the firefighters had to deal with some second-hand smoke.

Rules are made to be broken, including the old rule about playing “second hand low” on defense. But most rules have some sort of logical basis. In today’s deal, West led a diamond against 3NT, and South won with the jack and led a low spade. West put up his queen and shifted to the eight of clubs. Declarer played low from dummy, and East won with the jack and led a heart.

South took the ace and led a second low spade. This time West played low, but after dummy’s 10 won, South returned a diamond to his ace and led the king of spades. He ended with three spades, three diamonds, two hearts and a club.

West’s opening lead was unlucky, but his play at Trick Two was wrong. If West observes “second hand low,” playing the three of spades, South will lose three spade tricks instead of two. With careful defense, he will take only eight tricks in all. DAILY QUESTION:

You hold: ♠ KJ752 ♥ AK3 ◆ AJ6 ♣ 10 7. South in today’s deal opened 1NT with this hand. Do you agree with that action? ANSWER: Many experts would abhor suppressing the fivecard major suit. Others would be concerned with describing the hand’s overall strength and pattern with a single bid. I don’t feel strongly, but I would open one spade here. The spades are ragged and may take time to set up — time that may not be available at a notrump contract.