DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

A reader asks how he should have played today’s four hearts in a matchpoint event.

“West led a trump,” he writes. “I won, took the

A-K of spades and ruffed a spade in dummy. East overruffed and returned a trump, and I also lost a spade, a diamond and a club. Down one.

“I might make four by pitching a club from dummy on the third spade. If West shifted to a club, I could take the ace, pitch dummy’s last club on a fourth spade and ruff a club in dummy. But if spades break 3-3, I make an overtrick.”

I sympathize with my reader. Overtricks at “normal” contracts are vital at matchpoints, and this contract looks normal.

Moreover, say that West leads a second trump when he wins the third round of spades. South wins and discards a second club from dummy on the fourth spade. But then West can put East in with the king of diamonds to lead a third trump, and South still goes down.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ QJ105 ♥ 76 ◆ A Q6 ♣ Q 9 5 4. The dealer, at your left, opens three hearts. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: To oblige you to respond at the three level or four level, your partner needs a strong hand; his hand should be worth at least 17 points. Moreover, he should have good support for the other major since you are most likely to respond in that suit. Bid four spades.