DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

The player we call “Second Hand Rose” was at the club today. When the lesson on “second hand low” was being taught, Rose was out on a date with Jiggs the plumber.

Rose was West. South won her club opening lead with the nine and led the four of diamonds. Most Wests would have played low, but Second Hand Rose ... with the ace!

Rose then led a low spade, and East covered dummy’s nine with the 10. Declarer held up his ace twice and won the third spade, but when he led a second diamond, East took the king and cashed his last spade. Down one.

Rose defended well.

She knew the defense was unlikely to prevail without spade tricks. If East had four cards in spades plus an entry, Rose needed to grab her ace of diamonds, preserving East’s entry, and shift to spades.

If Rose plays “second hand low” on the first diamond, South makes 3NT. If East takes the king, his entry to the 13th spade is gone. If East ducks, South has nine tricks.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ Q1073 ♥ 10872 ◆ K92 ♣ 8 6. Your partner opens 1NT. The next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: You can respond two clubs,

Stayman, and all will be well if partner bids a major suit. You can pass there. But if he bids two diamonds, you will have to risk leaving him there when his pattern is 3-3-2-5 or bid 2NT and risk reaching a hopeless game. Pass. Though partner is likely to have a four-card major, maybe he will make 1NT.