DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

Bridge is hard because the “rules” have many exceptions. Take the idea of “holding up” a winner: tactically refusing a trick you could win.

Against 3NT West leads the 10 of spades. South may think of ducking, but to hold up won’t gain since East opened and is marked with all the missing high cards. Declarer must win the first spade, lead a diamond to the ace and return the jack of hearts.

Say East takes the ace and leads the queen of spades. South wins and takes the Q-K of diamonds. When East throws a club, South leads another heart. He takes two hearts, forcing East to pitch another club, and exits with a spade. After East cashes three spades, he must lead a club from his king, giving South a ninth trick.

Holding up a stopper to break the defenders’ communication can be vital. But don’t hold up when you may need to preserve a loser as an exit card.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ QJ982 ♥ AQ

◆ 97 ♣ K J 6 5. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one spade and he bids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: No call is ideal. To suppress your club fit is unpleasant, but a raise to three clubs would not be forcing, and a jump to four clubs would rule out 3NT. A “fourth-suit” bid of two hearts followed by club support might get you to notrump from the wrong side of the table. Make a battlefield decision and bid 3NT.